Check Engine Light - Can I tell if the CEL has been reset

[mfitzgerald]

I just purchased a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 ecoDiesel. I bought it from a Ford dealer who had it as a trade in from another customer. It had 63,200 miles on it when I drove it off the lot on Tuesday night. I drove it 11 miles home that night and then drove 11 miles today at which point the check engine light came on. So after a total of 22 miles from the time I drove it off the lot, the CEL light came on. From my research tonight, it is my understanding that to clear the CEL, you just have to remove the negative battery terminal for 20 minutes.

So my question is, can I tell if the code has been cleared recently? Is there an event log or some type of history that is kept on the computers memory that I would be able to tell if someone removed the battery cable in the last 50 miles or if the CEL came on recently? If so is there a scanner or tool I can purchase that will allow me to see these records or logs?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[Tremper126]

I use the app obd fusion, along with a wireless elm 327 adapter and I can see a lot of info.

 

[TC Diesel]

If you are tech Savvy ALFA- OBD will read codes, along with many other options, IMO necessary in Owning the 3.0VM.

 

[mfitzgerald]

Great info! Thank you!