Hello again all. It's been awhile. Question. We just took in our Sebring for emissions/safety and registration. We were told it needed a new battery which I believe since it's been 5 years and it was just starting to show signs of getting weak. They told us after a new battery is installed I have to drive it at least 150 miles for it to reset the computer (or something like that). So I put in a new battery (under the left fender.....fun) and it's all good.

Here's the hitch. This is our second car and since I recently retired we VERY seldom drive it. I actually have been having to start it and run it once a week to keep the battery charged and the letting the engine warm for a half hour. Anyway, do I really have to drive it 150 miles before emissions check? Sounds strange....

Many thanks.

 

Disconnecting the battery will set an error code in the computer. It does not light the check engine light. It is P1684 which means that at some point in time in the last 50 engine starts, the battery was disconnected. After 50 engine starts it will go away. I can't imagine it would cause the car to fail an emissions test unless your state's testing rules are totally idiotic.
If you find that your battery is running down because of non-use, you might want to pull the IOD fuse. It's located in the fuse panel located at the left end of the dashboard. It will be the fuse in the center of the panel with "ears" on it. The ears are there to allow you to pop it out easily. Just pull it far enough to cause the interior lights to go out and leave it there. The purpose for it is to allow the dealer to turn off things that draw down the battery but don't go through the key, such as the clock, interior lights, power seat and receiver for the remote key. That way the car can sit on the lot without running down the battery and the dealer can just pop the fuse back in when he wants to show the car for sale. If your car sits in the garage, consider buying a small trickle charger to maintain the battery while not using it.

 

Much appreciated dcotter.......Yes I did get the P1684 code and did get the check engine light shortly before I replaced the battery. I replaced the battery and cleared the P1684 code using a trick found on youtube..

 

P1684 does not turn on the check engine light. If the light is on, there's something else going on.

 

Interesting. The red engine light is now off and no codes are showing up.

 

Now's the time to take it in for its emissions check. ;-)

 

On my way today! Thanks.