Important ...Just learned something today about CA emissions testing
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Important ...Just learned something today about CA emissions testing
FYI... very important to save a few bucks.
After working on my daughters car the last couple of days to remove all OBD ll codes, I finally got down to "no codes" and went in to get it CA certified at a "Star Test Station." Guess what? Once you fix the OBD issues, you MUST drive at least 50 miles to allow the computer to "reset" and the car to pass emissions testing.
I had only driven 15 or so miles and once it failed, all the measured parameters passed, but it failed, due to lack of miles after OBD reset!
I asked the tech why he didn't ask me first if work had been done as it would automatically fail.
He asked me why I hadn't told him that I'd worked on the car?
I said "you're the expert." How about some help here? He just said the state didn't allow him to ask questions before the test.
Another 25 bucks and 50 more miles.
Don't get caught in the same trap!
After working on my daughters car the last couple of days to remove all OBD ll codes, I finally got down to "no codes" and went in to get it CA certified at a "Star Test Station." Guess what? Once you fix the OBD issues, you MUST drive at least 50 miles to allow the computer to "reset" and the car to pass emissions testing.
I had only driven 15 or so miles and once it failed, all the measured parameters passed, but it failed, due to lack of miles after OBD reset!
I asked the tech why he didn't ask me first if work had been done as it would automatically fail.
He asked me why I hadn't told him that I'd worked on the car?
I said "you're the expert." How about some help here? He just said the state didn't allow him to ask questions before the test.
Another 25 bucks and 50 more miles.
Don't get caught in the same trap!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
That's some valuable info....!
Where we are there are some "friendlier" test stations than others, and I make sure to spread the word in both directions. It sounds like no station could do anything about what happened in your case unless they did a pre-test. Or talked with you more...
Don't often see San Pedro -- lived my 1st 9 years down there...
Where we are there are some "friendlier" test stations than others, and I make sure to spread the word in both directions. It sounds like no station could do anything about what happened in your case unless they did a pre-test. Or talked with you more...
Don't often see San Pedro -- lived my 1st 9 years down there...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,318
Likes: 5,128
From: 0,0,1
It's not the inspector's job to quiz you on the work history of the vehicle. His job is to do the test, period.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,762
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
This has nothing to do with California emissions testings, it's the same anywhere where OBDII testing is the norm. There's no "mileage" requirement after a PCM reset and the PCM doesn't keep track of miles since a reset.
You just have to run it long enough for the correct number of OBDII self-test monitors to run without failure and for the P1000 code to clear. Several of them will usually run within the first 10 minutes or so, but others may take longer, up to days or weeks of normal driving.
Use your scan tool to see what monitors have (or haven't) run and KNOW what the testing requirements are before you get in line.
You just have to run it long enough for the correct number of OBDII self-test monitors to run without failure and for the P1000 code to clear. Several of them will usually run within the first 10 minutes or so, but others may take longer, up to days or weeks of normal driving.
Use your scan tool to see what monitors have (or haven't) run and KNOW what the testing requirements are before you get in line.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 24,318
Likes: 5,128
From: 0,0,1
The one thing I find to be BS is that there isn't a free retest. Here if we fail we get the chance to make repairs and go back for a free retest within 30 days. The only conditions are that it has to be within 30 days and that you have to go back to the same place for the retest that did the original test.
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Suburbs
The one thing I find to be BS is that there isn't a free retest. Here if we fail we get the chance to make repairs and go back for a free retest within 30 days. The only conditions are that it has to be within 30 days and that you have to go back to the same place for the retest that did the original test.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Maybe it's not news to you but I'm not sure this is common knowledge out there in the community. I looked for other similar posts and didn't see any.
I agree with you that they are only testers and they might be limited to these discussions. They are probably on the top of the list for regular audits, however, signing or some basic posted info, asking if you have made repairs, could save us all some bucks here.
Maybe even that would be illegal here in Jerry's state.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
A number of folks might not get that.... Unless you reference Governor Moonbeam 
One place I often recommend does a pretest, for free. Their actual test is more money than a lot of stations, but it will save you if you are "in question" of passing going in. There are only a couple places around that do free retests and they too charge more.
It still seems that for the failure that the OP started this thread with, it should be Mandatory that a retest be allowed. I think it's BS when a normal person with normal skills and just trying to do the right thing, gets caught in a "fine print" trap like this... My $.02
One place I often recommend does a pretest, for free. Their actual test is more money than a lot of stations, but it will save you if you are "in question" of passing going in. There are only a couple places around that do free retests and they too charge more.
It still seems that for the failure that the OP started this thread with, it should be Mandatory that a retest be allowed. I think it's BS when a normal person with normal skills and just trying to do the right thing, gets caught in a "fine print" trap like this... My $.02
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
A number of folks might not get that.... Unless you reference Governor Moonbeam
One place I often recommend does a pretest, for free. Their actual test is more money than a lot of stations, but it will save you if you are "in question" of passing going in. There are only a couple places around that do free re-tests and they too charge more.
It still seems that for the failure that the OP started this thread with, it should be Mandatory that a retest be allowed. I think it's BS when a normal person with normal skills and just trying to do the right thing, gets caught in a "fine print" trap like this... My $.02
One place I often recommend does a pretest, for free. Their actual test is more money than a lot of stations, but it will save you if you are "in question" of passing going in. There are only a couple places around that do free re-tests and they too charge more.
It still seems that for the failure that the OP started this thread with, it should be Mandatory that a retest be allowed. I think it's BS when a normal person with normal skills and just trying to do the right thing, gets caught in a "fine print" trap like this... My $.02
The tech y/day told me to drive approx 50 miles before returning.
So today, I drove on city streets for 10 miles back and forth with varing speeds, etc. Then I went 55 miles on the freeway, including 4-5 miles of typical So Cal stop and go.
I stopped for a burger, thinking that letting it cool down for 30 minutes would possible help the "cycle."
Trying to think out loud and outside the box about what might have to also happen to get over the hump, I turned on and off the ignition 5 times, latched and unlatched my seat belt 5 times, turning that light on and off, and opening the driver door at least 5 times to set that light off and on.
Then I went back to the test station...
The same guy plugged back into the OBD terminal and guess what????
FAILED again!
He said I had one more try before having to completely start over.
I saw where someone had suggested letting it set overnight to help reset.
Tomorrow I'll run it some more and hope I finally get a green. Almost like a bad dream.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
So I have a Jeep Wrangler circa 2000. One day the check engine light came on. Did a bit of research and found out that something emissions wise was out of whack and called one of the "friendly" smog shops I use and (since I don't have a code reader and he's a fur distance) he told me to take the o-ring off the gas cap and put a tiny bit of silicone grease on it and re-install. He said it could take more than one fill up PLUS a week or so of driving.
These OBDII things must look at a bunch of sh_t to "decide" things are ok because I filled up 2x and did 10 days of driving and lo and behold the light went out and has never come back on. That was probably 5 years ago and at least two more smog checks for registration since.
I'd have to go back and read thru this thread again to see if someone told you what parameter to check to see if it thinks things are cool again. You have a code reader, correct?
I feel your pain....
These OBDII things must look at a bunch of sh_t to "decide" things are ok because I filled up 2x and did 10 days of driving and lo and behold the light went out and has never come back on. That was probably 5 years ago and at least two more smog checks for registration since.
I'd have to go back and read thru this thread again to see if someone told you what parameter to check to see if it thinks things are cool again. You have a code reader, correct?
I feel your pain....
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,762
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
Code readers are cheap. A basic one that will give you the needed info regarding readiness monitors is less than 50 bucks, a better one is $100, a pretty good one is $200.
A cold soak for the purpose of advancing a drive cycle is 8 hours, not 30 minutes.
Go to http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...&menuIndex1=15 and get the OBDII manual for your vehicle if you'd like to learn more about the system.
A cold soak for the purpose of advancing a drive cycle is 8 hours, not 30 minutes.
Go to http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdi...&menuIndex1=15 and get the OBDII manual for your vehicle if you'd like to learn more about the system.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Yes I do.
He didn't clarify but to say that it still wasn't ready. My daughters car is a Mini but it's an issue with all of our vehicles. For sake of good info for this forum, I brought it up even though it's not a Ford.
The data passed for visual and for emissions, but not sure on readiness.
The data passed for visual and for emissions, but not sure on readiness.