How to Reset Check Engine Light on Dodge Ram 1500 [03 Methods]

You may be driving a Dodge Ram 1500 and suddenly discover a check engine warning light in the instrument cluster. Don’t panic; it is a common sign from the ECU that indicates something is wrong with the engine. The warning light may appear for several reasons.

You have to figure out the issue before resetting the check engine light on the Dodge Ram 1500. This article explains the causes of the check engine light and how to reset it.

Why Does Check Engine Light Warning Comes on the Dodge Ram?

It’s not abnormal if your Dodge Ram 1500 check engine warning light comes on. But it is important to figure out what’s causing the light to appear, and then you can fix it.

The check engine light usually means something is wrong with the exhaust system, MAF sensor, oxygen sensor, or spark plug. The check engine light seriously damages your vehicle’s engine, so you should know the causes and solutions.

Related Guide on > Dodge ram warning light symbol.

How to Reset Check Engine Light on Dodge Ram 1500

In this guide, we are going to cover the 03 most common methods you can use to reset the Dodge Ram 1500’s check engine light.

Method 01: By Disconnecting the Battery

The most common and cost-free way to reset the Dodge Ram 1500 Check engine light is by removing and reconnecting the negative cable from the vehicle’s battery. Here are 05 steps for resetting the check engine light:

Step 01: Turn off the engine and open the hood of your truck.

Step 02: Locate the battery and completely disconnect the negative battery terminals.Battery terminals come in two colors, red and black. The black is the negative battery terminal, so you should remove the negative battery terminal.

Step 03: Wait for 4-5 minutes.

Step 04: During these 4/5 minutes, repeatedly press and hold your vehicle’s horn or try to turn on your vehicle’s headlights. Any extra energy the vehicle might have will be released in this way. Because a vehicle sometimes has some stored energy that keeps the check engine light on.

Step 05: Now turn on your truck, and you’ll see the warning light is reset. In most vehicles, this method works, but it’s just a temporary fix because once the engine recognizes a problem, the warning light comes back on. Click and Check out the video to see how it’s done:

Method 02: By Driving a Few Miles

If your vehicle model is older than 2010, you may need to drive 50 miles or 80 kilometers to remove the check engine light. You’ll be able to turn off the check engine light after driving this distance.

If the warning light does not disappear after driving for more than 50 miles, it indicates a serious engine issue, and you must apply method 03.

Method 03: By Troubleshooting with OBD-II Scanner

When the above methods don’t solve the check engine light problem, you must identify what is causing it. To find out the problem, you can use an OBD-ll scanner, which helps you to identify the problem. Plug in the OBD-ll scanner in your vehicle and then check the codes.

If your Dodge Ram 1500 has a check engine light, these codes usually come up:

P0113: Too much voltage reading from the IAT (Intake Air Temperature) sensor.
P0031: Low voltage on HO2S1 heating element (Bank 1 sensor 1)
P0217: Engine overheating

P0036: The circuit of the HO2S heater control (Band 1 sensor 2) problem
P0505: Inaccurate working of IAC.

If you find any other code in the OBD-ll scanner, you can Google it and get detailed info. You can fix the issue yourself or hire a mechanic once you find out what’s causing the issue. If the code displayed by the scanner is resolved, the check engine warning light will turn off automatically. Here’s how to find a code with an OBD-ll scanner: Click this video link.

07 Factors that Trigger the Check Engine Light on Dodge Ram 1500

07 causes, including a loosened gas cap, a faulty sensor, a faulty fuel system, a faulty exhaust system, etc, can trigger the check engine light in Dodge Challenger. Let us discuss these causes elaborately.

Cause 01: Loosen Gas Cap

The most common cause of the check engine light on the Dodge Ram 1500 is a loose gas cap. There are times when the gas cap doesn’t lock properly because we’re in a hurry. In other cases, a faulty gas cap that is slightly loose causes the issue.

Solution

When you close the fuel cap, listen for a locking sound. There should be no sound; you should diagnose the gas cap and replace it if it is faulty.

Cause 02: Faulty Sensors

Faulty Mass Airflow and Oxygen Sensors can cause the Check Engine Light to illuminate. The mass airflow sensor calculates how much air is entering the engine.On the other hand, the oxygen sensor informs the ECU about the burning oxygen ratio.

When the MAF or oxygen sensors malfunction, they provide incorrect data to the ECU and illuminate the check engine light.

Solution

Replace the faulty sensor to eliminate the check engine light. New oxygen and MAF sensor cost between $300 and $420.

Cause 03: Not Updated Computer Programming

A vehicle’s computer system needs to be updated regularly. A not-updated computer app or programming can malfunction and trigger the check engine light.

Solution

An update or computer reprogramming can solve the problem. To reprogram the computer in your Dodge, you will have to pay a mechanic $150 to $250.

Cause 04: Faulty Fuel System

If there’s a problem with the fuel system, the engine doesn’t get enough fuel, which is why the warning light appears. Damaged fuel systems contaminate fuel and make it ineffective.

Solution

Take the vehicle to a repair shop for proper diagnosis and resolve the fuel system problems.

Cause 05: Faulty Exhaust System

A faulty exhaust system is indirectly responsible for the check engine warning light. If there’s a leak in your exhaust system, the engine won’t run well, and you’ll lose fuel economy. Therefore, the Dodge Charger dashboard will illuminate the check engine light.

Solution

You should take the vehicle to a professional mechanic to resolve the exhaust system issues. Repairing an exhaust system is costly and costs around $300 to $1190, depending on the problem.

Cause 06: Faulty Spark Plugs

A faulty spark plug is one of the most common causes of engine warning lights. The engine misfires when the spark plugs are bad. As a result, the check engine light comes on.

Solution

Sometimes cleaning will resolve spark plug issues.But replacing faulty spark plugs is a more effective solution than repairing them. Replacing spark plugs will cost you around $50 to $240.

Cause 07: Battery Failure or Wiring Problems

Connection wire helps spark plugs, sensors, and other components to work correctly. If the connection wires are loose or damaged or the battery is dead, related components fail to function properly. Therefore, a check engine warning light appears.

Solution

Inspect the wires properly, and replace damaged wires. Replace the battery whenever it stops supplying power properly to the vehicle. The cost of replacing a Dodge Ram 1500 battery is around $220 to $250, including labor costs.

To Conclude

Check engine light flashes when something is wrong with your engine, including system malfunctions. Any warning light should be taken seriously and resolved as soon as possible. To reset the check engine light, you must first diagnose the problem.

Sometimes the warning light still flashes after you fix the specific issue.In such cases, you have to drive around 50 to 90 miles to reset the check engine light.

Why Does Check Engine Light Warning Comes on the Dodge Ram?