I took the starter off and had Autozone test it out. Passed the test but it sounded pretty weak. We ran the diagnostic a second time and it failed. A third time... failed again.

Bought a new one and slapped it on.

Car works fine! Success

There has been a CEL on for an emissions/cat problem for the past year and now it's gone. How was that reset? I assume it'll come back on after driving the vehicle for awhile?

 

The problem w/ leaving a CEL on long term is you won't know when a more serious issue arises since CEL is already on. Best to address problems as they arise.

good luck

 

With the battery disconnected while changing the starter....you reset it. If/when the light comes back get the code and resolve the issue. Most of the time if you ignore a small simple fix, it will cause a larger more expensive fix in the end.