Check engine(idiot) light

[NOCK NOCK]

I am not much of a gear head. I have a 2007 Chevy 2500  6 litre gasoline truck. Is there any way to reset or disable the check engine light without taking it to a professional?  I have heard about some kind of reader thing that you plug in and it tells you why the light is on/ gives you a code. 
Like I said, don't know much about this kind a thing, If I need to buy the reader thing(or something else) what is it that I would need to buy?

Thanks all.

[92xj]

Take it by a local auto parts store. They will let you borrow a reader to use in the parking lot. It will tell you the codes it's throwing and let you reset it.

[rtspring]

Any auto part sells the code readers, they plug into your wire harness usually under the dash..   

Or run it up to Coach's shop. automotive Inc..  Give him a call

[jackelope]

The light is on for a reason. You can clear the code and the light will go out, but unless you fix the problem, it will come back on as soon as the onboard diagnostics of the truck sees the problem occur. Just because the truck is running ok doesn't mean there's not a problem. Probably emissions related.

[h20hunter]

I'd say number one reason for general check light with no runability issues is a bad gas cap.

[bobcat]

The light in my 2002 Chevy Silverado (5.3) has been on for about a year and a half. My father in law plugged his code reader into it last summer and reset it. It was off after that until the next time I drove my truck, and then it came back on, and has been on ever since. The truck runs fine, I assume I just may not be getting the best gas mileage.

[grundy53]

I have a code reader and it is really handy. But Jackelope is right. The nice part about the reader is it let's you know if it's an easy fix you can do yourself or something that you need to take to a mechanic.

[jackelope]

The light in my 2002 Chevy Silverado (5.3) has been on for about a year and a half. My father in law plugged his code reader into it last summer and reset it. It was off after that until the next time I drove my truck, and then it came back on, and has been on ever since. The truck runs fine, I assume I just may not be getting the best gas mileage.

See if it's an evap code. P0460 I think if I remember correctly.  If it is, the likely part to fix it is about $40.00. A very common issue in our trucks. Evap vent valve. Just did one in mine...same year, make, model as you know.
 

I'd say number one reason for general check light with no runability issues is a bad gas cap.

If it's an evap code that could be....if it's a misfire code a gas cap won't help.
 

[Woodchuck]

  Or a knock sensor code. 

[Crunchy]

The light in my 2002 Chevy Silverado (5.3) has been on for about a year and a half. My father in law plugged his code reader into it last summer and reset it. It was off after that until the next time I drove my truck, and then it came back on, and has been on ever since. The truck runs fine, I assume I just may not be getting the best gas mileage.

See if it's an evap code. P0460 I think if I remember correctly.  If it is, the likely part to fix it is about $40.00. A very common issue in our trucks. Evap vent valve. Just did one in mine...same year, make, model as you know.
 

I'd say number one reason for general check light with no runability issues is a bad gas cap.

If it's an evap code that could be....if it's a misfire code a gas cap won't help.
 

Had the same code on my 04 Silverado.  Easy fix

[jackelope]

If it was me, and I didn't have direct access to an entire shop full of tools and technicians, I'd go to a parts store and have them read the code. Then I'd go to the trusty old internet. Find Google. Type in year make model and then the code and search. Odds are whatever it is will come up in the search. It's the best way to come up with a good guess. Keep in mind it's just a guess and may not fix your problem...but aside from paying a technician to diagnose the problem, it's an alright way to go.

Google --> 2002 Chevy Silverado p0460 ---> search...

[jackelope]

Or a knock sensor code. 

A gas cap will in fact not fix a knock sensor code.
 

Forgot about those.

[bobcat]

Dang, I wish I could remember what that code was! If it's only $40 and I can do it myself, I could probably scrape up the money. But can't afford to take it into a shop.

[h20hunter]

Swinging by somewhere like Oreillys that will pull the code, then google it as mentioned....could be saving you a heck of a lot more than that down the road. Cost to find out =$0, cost to not know and have bigger issues sooner/later ....different ball game.

[Woodchuck]

If it was me, and I didn't have direct access to an entire shop full of tools and technicians, I'd go to a parts store and have them read the code. Then I'd go to the trusty old internet. Find Google. Type in year make model and then the code and search. Odds are whatever it is will come up in the search. It's the best way to come up with a good guess. Keep in mind it's just a guess and may not fix your problem...but aside from paying a technician to diagnose the problem, it's an alright way to go.

Google --> 2002 Chevy Silverado p0460 ---> search...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=2002+Chevy+Silverado+P0460