you could disconnect the battery for ~10 minutes, or do the reset ecu trick (see below)...I think there must be a fuse for the ECU somewhere, as well.

do you have a pep boys or autozone (outside of CA) that can read the code for you? Not a bad idea to get what turned it on, even if it's nothing...they can reset the code for you also.

Obviously, if this is a reoccuring problem, the CEL will come right back on.

EDIT - here's a quote from another posting on this forum:

"ECU Resetting Procedure

When counting, count in your head or use a stop watch.

1. Turn ignition to ON, count to 3.

2. Depress/Release accelerator pedal 5 times ... hard and fast

3. Count to 10 and fully DEPRESS pedal.

4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), RELEASE pedal.

5. Count to 10, DEPRESS pedal.

6. Count to 10, RELEASE pedal.

7. Turn off ignition, then start engine, DONE!"

I've done this and it works (just heed the timing in between)...however, I wish I hadn't as I swear it has gotten worse mileage than it did [although most claim to have gotten opposite effect; weird]

 

you could disconnect the battery for ~10 minutes, or do the reset ecu trick (see below)...I think there must be a fuse for the ECU somewhere, as well.

do you have a pep boys or autozone (outside of CA) that can read the code for you? Not a bad idea to get what turned it on, even if it's nothing...they can reset the code for you also.

Obviously, if this is a reoccuring problem, the CEL will come right back on.

EDIT - here's a quote from another posting on this forum:

"ECU Resetting Procedure

When counting, count in your head or use a stop watch.

1. Turn ignition to ON, count to 3.

2. Depress/Release accelerator pedal 5 times ... hard and fast

3. Count to 10 and fully DEPRESS pedal.

4. Count to 12 (SES should be blinking), RELEASE pedal.

5. Count to 10, DEPRESS pedal.

6. Count to 10, RELEASE pedal.

7. Turn off ignition, then start engine, DONE!"

I've done this and it works (just heed the timing in between)...however, I wish I hadn't as I swear it has gotten worse mileage than it did [although most claim to have gotten opposite effect; weird]

it worked thank u Mahalonui

 

Nope

Thanks for the message but I can't get the light to blink following the steps(repeatedly). Double and tripled checked my timing and can't seem to make it work. Maybe this doesn't work on 2012 models?
Thanks
f1jim

 

Interesting...not real sure about 2012, although it worked fine on my 2011 and guess I got lucky as it did it the first time too! Try it again, but just make sure to let off after doing the pedal 5 times (waiting 10 seconds), then press the pedal down, holding it for 12 seconds and the CEL should blink. You may have already done that, but just keep trying it, as I don't think they changed anything 2011-2012...

Or, just disconnect your battery for about 10 minutes...your radio *should* keep its settings; least it did on my V when I changed the battery, etc.

 

Still nothing but...

Still couldn't make it work but I have the battery disconnected and I'll give it 15 minutes to see if that resets it.
Thanks
f1jim

 

Battery Disconnect works!

Well keeping the battery disconnected for 15 minutes did reset the Check Engine Light. Now we will see if it comes on again. Checked the gas cap first.
Fingers crossed.
f1jim

 

On the 2012 (and 2011) a loose gas cap will show up on the odometer as "loose gas cap". For 2010 and prior you just get the check engine light.

So if your 2012 got a check engine light without the message in the odometer box, it isn't the gas cap. You have something else wrong. It's a new truck, it is still under warranty, take it to the dealer and have them pull the code and have them fix it for free.

 

Thanks

Yes I reset the check engine light but I also had the air filter box apart and ran the engine without the connection to the device in the tube to the airbox. The truck ran bad with that unhooked so I hooked everything back up the way it was originally. That may have also triggered the light so resetting it would clear that and if it comes back on I'll head for the dealer to find out the reason for the light. Otherwise it's running very well. Put a new K&N filter in the box while I was in there. Might have to mod the box with a little cutting like the one in the mods section here on the forum.
f1jim

 

I highly, highly, highly recommend picking up one of these:

ElmScan 5 Compact Scan Tool

Plugs into any laptop or netbook (anything with a USB port that can run a windows app).

Lets you read diagnostic codes (and gives you the text description, not just the code) and clear them. The software it comes with is very basic, if you want more functionality (like monitoring sensors real-time, etc) you can upgrade to better software.

I've had mine for several years now, can't beat it for $40 with basic software...

 

Scan tool.

Where do these plug in on the Frontier?
Thanks
f1jim

 

Where do these plug in on the Frontier?
Thanks
f1jim

The big white connector on the drivers side under the dash, straight up from the gas pedal.