Failed emissions test
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 7
From: Proctorsville VT
Failed emissions test
2001 Expedition 4.6l with 94k miles failed CT emissions lately. Figures that it would start misfiring the day before the arranged test date. Anyway, I found /corrected the misfire, drove the truck 1000+ miles on trip and it is running great. Spark plugs will be changed when warm weather arrives.
I have an inexpensive code reader. It tells me that the EV diagnostic cycle is incomplete. No codes are present and I have been running the truck daily for two weeks since it failed emissions. A feature on my reader is a red light (vehicle will not pass OBDII emissions scan) a yellow light (vehicle diagnostic pending/may pass OBDII emissions scan) and a green light (vehicle will pass emissions). The truck reads yellow.
Anybody know if this condition will necessarily fail a retest?
I have an inexpensive code reader. It tells me that the EV diagnostic cycle is incomplete. No codes are present and I have been running the truck daily for two weeks since it failed emissions. A feature on my reader is a red light (vehicle will not pass OBDII emissions scan) a yellow light (vehicle diagnostic pending/may pass OBDII emissions scan) and a green light (vehicle will pass emissions). The truck reads yellow.
Anybody know if this condition will necessarily fail a retest?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 26,188
Likes: 4,151
From: Near Cal. Avenue
If your Mil is on you will not pass. Your rig is probably stuck in the EVAP test and has not completed it. Check your gas cap, a poor seal is usually it. Also hoses to intake manifold are cracked or damaged. Look at heat resistant hoses on EGR for damage and also PCV. Last resort is a failure of the valve in the Cartridge canister back above the Spare tire.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,322
Likes: 5,132
From: 0,0,1
I suspect the red light will be on whenever the CEL is on, meaning a trouble code has been set. The yellow likely means there is a pending trouble code but the CEL is not on. Green would obviously mean there are no codes at all. If I'm correct in my assumptions, as long as the red light is not on you will pass inspection.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,763
Likes: 1,081
From: St Louis
Many jurisdictions permit one or two incomplete monitors to be present and the vehicle will still pass. Check to see what's allowed for your specific year and model.
The EVAP monitor is difficult to get to run in the winter since it requires an IAT reading of 45-50F in order to execute. In the dead of winter, it might never run (until spring, that is).
The EVAP monitor is difficult to get to run in the winter since it requires an IAT reading of 45-50F in order to execute. In the dead of winter, it might never run (until spring, that is).
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 7
From: Proctorsville VT
EVAP diagnostic completed its' cycle. Emissions passed .Guess I could thank the unseasonably warm weather.
Great info here regarding ambient temperature. Will keep this in mind with a February emissions test due every two years
Great info here regarding ambient temperature. Will keep this in mind with a February emissions test due every two years
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 160
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CA smog regulations are some of the toughest in the country and I just had my '00 XP tested today.
This smog test thread made me look a little harder at my own test printout.
Reading the 'Pass' printout sheet the test numbers on equipment and emissions were all very low.
Then I noticed my Fuel Evap test was 'Not Appl'.
I also noticed the NOX category was blank but when my Mustang is tested it has readings in that column.
I asked the Tech who had done the test and his explanation was, I thought, interesting.
My XP is A4WD and CA Smog Test Stations have 2-wheel Dynamometers.
My A4WD cannot perform a 'load' test spinning the 2-wheel Dyno.
The only tests that can be performed are static throttle RPM tests and any NOX or equipment that need the Dyno are all 'Not Appl'.
So, having A4WD has some use other than traction.
I am constantly learning something as a result of this forum.
This smog test thread made me look a little harder at my own test printout.
Reading the 'Pass' printout sheet the test numbers on equipment and emissions were all very low.
Then I noticed my Fuel Evap test was 'Not Appl'.
I also noticed the NOX category was blank but when my Mustang is tested it has readings in that column.
I asked the Tech who had done the test and his explanation was, I thought, interesting.
My XP is A4WD and CA Smog Test Stations have 2-wheel Dynamometers.
My A4WD cannot perform a 'load' test spinning the 2-wheel Dyno.
The only tests that can be performed are static throttle RPM tests and any NOX or equipment that need the Dyno are all 'Not Appl'.
So, having A4WD has some use other than traction.
I am constantly learning something as a result of this forum.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 0
Back when CT tested at state owned facilities they had two axle dynos so they could handle AWD. I paid attention back then because my Explorer was AWD. After I sold it I stopped paying attention. Not sure if that was a requirement when they went to a local shop program, but I would expect was since everyone had to set up from scratch.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 411
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From: Proctorsville VT
I would be surprised if the mopes at the shop where I test my vehicles had enough time to do anything other than a scan. I'm in and out that fast. I used to bring them my '88 Dodge 350 and it had to be tested with original tailpipe sniffing equipment on a dyno. I retired that van in 2010, but it NEVER failed CT emissions regardless of the smoke it spewed during the test. Old timers criticized state run emissions as a CT "car tax" when it first started. That Dodge made it hard to disagree.
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