Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reset: Description
All OBDII scan tools support the PCM reset. The PCM reset allows the scan tool to command the PCM to clear all emission-related diagnostic information. When resetting the PCM, a DTC P1000 will be stored in the PCM until all the OBD II system monitors or components have been tested to satisfy a drive cycle, without any other faults occurring. For more information about a drive cycle, See DRIVE CYCLES .
The following events occur when a PCM reset is performed:
- clears the number of DTCs
- clears the DTCs
- clears the freeze frame data
- clears diagnostic monitoring test results
- resets status of the OBD II system monitors
- sets DTC P1000NOTE:
- When using the WDS or equivalent tester to perform a PCM reset, press the CLEAR button. This function is performed only after retrieval of continuous DTCs.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.