Clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Use a scan tool to clear DTCs from the PCM memory. Disconnecting the vehicle battery to clear the PCM memory is not recommended. This may or may not clear the PCM memory and other vehicle system memories will be cleared. Do not disconnect the PCM connectors solely for clearing DTCs. This unnecessarily disturbs the connections and may introduce a new problem. Before clearing DTCs the scan tool has the capability to save any data stored with the DTCs and then display that data at a later time. Capture DTC info before beginning diagnosis (refer to Capturing DTC Info). Do not clear DTCs until you are instructed to do so within a diagnostic procedure.

Many PCM DTCs have complex test and failure conditions. Therefore, simply clearing DTCs and determining if the DTC sets again may not indicate whether a problem has been corrected. To verify a repair after the repair is complete, you must look up the test conditions and duplicate those conditions. If the DTC runs and passes, it is probable that the problem is fixed.