It is very difficult to pass inspection with OBD II if you
reset the codes by disconnecting the battery or any other
means if your vehicle has a problem.  The reason is that
most states scan the ECM for fault codes in which case it
won't pass if they are present.  If the ECM has been
cleared, the vehicle has to be driven through enough cycles
for the ECM to determine that nothing is wrong.  If the
vehicle is presented before the ECM has been through these
cycles, the scanner will indicate that to the inspector and
it will be declined until all the flags have been reset.
During this time, it is most likely that any hard fault will
reset a code.  You can buy a scanner if you like but, if the
vehicle is not repaired, it won't likely pass inspection
until the problem is corrected.  The scanner will help track
down to problem and allow you to reset the fault codes once
repairs have been completed.  If the repair was not
effective, it will reset the code during the driving cycles
to reset the flags.  Yes, the system is stacked against you.
That is because so many people in the past preferred to
ignore problems with their vehicles emission system.

Lugnut

How long did you leave the battery disconnected?  On the dakota's you
have to leave them disconnected for a good 5 or maybe 10 minutes before
it resets the computer and then it will turn off the light.  I don't
know if its the same for you car or not but give it a try.  You can
also go to Auto Zone or similar store and they will turn it off with
one of there readers and most of the time they don it for free.

Brian

Stop your damn spamming