# Clearing Engine Codes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sl, saturn\ **Created:** [February 15, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387 "2011-02-15T21:46:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BBORU1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b4bc9f/32.png) [@BBORU1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BBORU1)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/1 "2011-02-15T21:46:49Z")
How do you clear the engine codes on a 1996 Saturn SL-2? I thought disconnecting the battery for more than ten seconds did this or do I need a special tool inserted into the diagnostic port under the dash? ---
**Author:** ![galaxybeing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@galaxybeing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galaxybeing)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/2 "2011-02-15T22:31:48Z")
You need an OBD II to turn off the codes, unless you want ot get the problem fixed and then the light will go out. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 10:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/3 "2011-02-15T22:56:39Z")
Chances are the light wont go out until the cause of the light coming on has been fixed. You’re thinking of the OLD Gm system from the 80’s. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/4 "2011-02-15T22:58:24Z")
Are you sure that a 1996 Saturn is OBDII? I thought it was OBD only. ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/5 "2011-02-15T22:59:06Z")
Correct the problem, and then drive around for a few days. The light will go off. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/6 "2011-02-15T23:23:07Z")
OBDII became the standard for all passenger vehicles manufactured in the model year 1996 and later. Tester ---
**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/7 "2011-02-16T02:53:57Z")
Sorry, I thought it was 1997 before they all had it. Now I know. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 3:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/8 "2011-02-16T03:13:36Z")
Many CEL’s can be cleared by disconnecting the battery and turning on the headlights (to completely drain the system) for a minute or two. Failing that, you can buy an inexpensive USB to OBD-2 cable on eBay that turns any laptop into a diagnostic tool. The cables come with diagnostic software…Clearing codes is a simple matter… ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2011, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/clearing-engine-codes/61387/9 "2011-02-16T17:35:50Z")
Despote being OBDII or OBD one…a batt disconnect will do it. Your car can be on the border of OBDII and ODBI here…esp if the mfg date was in 95 but considered a 96… If you are at OBDII thats great…use a scan tool and you are good to go.