resetting check engine light

97audia4quattro

I believe the check engine light came on as the result of having a brittle vacuum line(s) crack and/or from trying to start the car with the equipment (air intake from the air filter to flex hose, thus sensors rendered inop, while checking for an oil leak. It turned out to be the valve cover gasket. All fixed (only $19 for new gasket and bolts). GREAT! But now I still have a check engine light I can't get rid of even though I believe the problem is fixed. Disconnecting the battery didn't do it? Any way to reset it short of getting a scan tool hooked up?
Jim

disconnect just the negitive cbale for 5 minutes,

Thanks for the info. Someone else mentioned that the batttery cable had to be left disconnected for more than a few minutes (he said an hour, that seems awfully long!) I was able to reset it with a scan tool. I didn't reallize a regular OBDII would work because the audi connector looks different than my GM cars.
And, the cause of the check engine light?......the hose on the back bottom of the valve cover was not secured. Live and learn.

While I'm here, I have another question. I suppose I should start a new thread. Is that the best way to do it?