Picked up a '99 Grand Cherokee a couple months ago for cheap. Knew it had a check engine light among a few other issues. I've been working on those since and now that its registered, insured and legal, took over to the local O'Reillys to have the code read. Coolant sensor high voltage..yea, knew that because this is one of the systems I've worked on. Asked them to reset so I could evaluate if my repairs were good before springing for a new sensor. They refused. I confirmed they can reset, clear, whatever verbiage they use, so they light in my dash goes away. They said they cannot do that.

Six months ago I got a similar story at an Advanced Auto when working on my wife's SUV. What gives? Have national chains been sued so much they now won't do basic stuff? Do I need to buy my own reader now to bypass this baloney?

It has been that way for a while around here. Disconnect the battery and clear the code. Some emmisions codes won`t clear even with the scanner. It has to be driven and on - off a certain amount of times.

Buy a cheap code reader they can erase codes.

I was told the same thing a couple of years ago while on a road trip, but lately I've been seeing ads around here for the service. I was told that it was against state law, but I was still in California when I told this.

there should be a procedure you can do without a reader. For a jeep im thinking pull the pcm fuse, turn and hold the key to clear it. You can also get the code from the odometer on obd2 but there are some years that it doesn't work.
I'd still buy a reader. I got one of those things to plug into the obd2 port and plug in the laptop. You can clear codes and also get some live data from certain systems. They also have bluetooth/app versions.

To the best of my knowledge, parts stores are allowed to read codes but not reset lights or clear codes. Been that way since the late 90's.

Doesn't seem like the op store is trying to pull anything on him.

Some of the readers used by auto-parts stores are not equipped to clear codes. The whole idea of offering the free service of reading codes is to provide the correct part if the customer wants it. That said, some code interpretations are kinda vague, so usually there's no push to buy anything that won't fix the problem. You might need or buy several things and be mad at the store, and they don't want angry customers.
Most CELs are related to protecting the cats, or other emissions devices, so it could also be argued by the State that clearing them and not performing repairs violates or aids in violating emissions law.

I managed 3 retail auto stores. They are not allowed to clear codes (corporate orders). Just in-hook the battery for 2 min....done.

For those with smart phones you can skip the parts store hassles. The torque Pro app works very well and has some cool additional features. The app is less than $5 and the Blue tooth adapter is $15-$20. We use it in the shop regularly.


https://scanneranswers.com/torque-pro-obd2-app-review/

Whats the big deal..
U can buy an OBDII scanner that will read & erase codes for $15...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Scanner-Diagnostic-Code-Reader-New-MS309-OBD2-OBDII-Car-Diagnostic-Tool/351992185723?epid=2255329510&hash=item51f45e837b:g:4aQAAOSwC9VZgzJG

Just my $0.02...

A couple years ago the guy at Auto Zone cleared the cat converter code to see if the light would come back on, it didn't. The next time I went, different guy for a coil pack code. Nope wouldn't do it. Did change the coil packs , lights off ,but the battery was disconnected for a day..