Not Ready!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
1996 will be obd2... Right
If so then the previous owner either cleared the codes, or had battery unhooked.
You will need to go through a complete drive cycle, where the ecu FINALLY activates all the emissions items and cycles everything completely. Then it will be ready to test.
Sometimes it takes weeks if you don't drive a certain way (like if you never get on hyway)
If so then the previous owner either cleared the codes, or had battery unhooked.
You will need to go through a complete drive cycle, where the ecu FINALLY activates all the emissions items and cycles everything completely. Then it will be ready to test.
Sometimes it takes weeks if you don't drive a certain way (like if you never get on hyway)
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,119
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From: Hartland, WI
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
1996 will be obd2... Right
If so then the previous owner either cleared the codes, or had battery unhooked.
You will need to go through a complete drive cycle, where the ecu FINALLY activates all the emissions items and cycles everything completely. Then it will be ready to test.
Sometimes it takes weeks if you don't drive a certain way (like if you never get on hyway)
If so then the previous owner either cleared the codes, or had battery unhooked.
You will need to go through a complete drive cycle, where the ecu FINALLY activates all the emissions items and cycles everything completely. Then it will be ready to test.
Sometimes it takes weeks if you don't drive a certain way (like if you never get on hyway)
Thanks for your suggestion, and I will try to drive it some more; on the highway as well as city roads ... more gasoline to burn! This is annoying.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
Yeah! Thanks for the link!.
I think I need to drive the truck whole lot more for it to be ready.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
The last truck I bought, a 2005 F-150, I bought in North Carolina 3 years ago. It didn't have to have an emissions test. I just took the paperwork from the dealership to the DMV and they registered the truck and handed me a set of tags. I did have to get an inspection sticker after I put the VA tags on of course. But it was just an inspection of the tires, brakes, lights, etc. Same thing they do every year.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
The last truck I bought, a 2005 F-150, I bought in North Carolina 3 years ago. It didn't have to have an emissions test. I just took the paperwork from the dealership to the DMV and they registered the truck and handed me a set of tags. I did have to get an inspection sticker after I put the VA tags on of course. But it was just an inspection of the tires, brakes, lights, etc. Same thing they do every year.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I was standing in the shop with the guy last year when he inspected my truck, he did the usual honk the horn, blink the lights, blah, blah, blah. And the dealership sent nothing to Richmond on the truck, I took all the paperwork to DMV myself, no emissions test in there.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
I was standing in the shop with the guy last year when he inspected my truck, he did the usual honk the horn, blink the lights, blah, blah, blah. And the dealership sent nothing to Richmond on the truck, I took all the paperwork to DMV myself, no emissions test in there.
Does anyone want to have a stab at this issue, explaining why Big Red Brute does not have to have emissions inspection on his truck, but mine does?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
It might be a county thing. Even in California some counties don't so emissions testing. Where I live, there is no testing, but over in King and Pierce counties there is testing. In Snohomish county some portions require emissions testing.
A couple things to check- Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator, if there is fuel then the regulator is bad. If you have a voltmeter, check the coolant temp sensor. The exact reading will vary with temperature, but it shouldn't be zero or open. A short will make the computer think it's cold, and richen the mixture to compensate. There may be more than one sensor, depending on what engine you have and how the truck is equipped.
A couple things to check- Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator, if there is fuel then the regulator is bad. If you have a voltmeter, check the coolant temp sensor. The exact reading will vary with temperature, but it shouldn't be zero or open. A short will make the computer think it's cold, and richen the mixture to compensate. There may be more than one sensor, depending on what engine you have and how the truck is equipped.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
A couple things to check- Pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator, if there is fuel then the regulator is bad. If you have a voltmeter, check the coolant temp sensor. The exact reading will vary with temperature, but it shouldn't be zero or open. A short will make the computer think it's cold, and richen the mixture to compensate. There may be more than one sensor, depending on what engine you have and how the truck is equipped.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
So this morning on my way into work I stopped by the shop that does my state inspections for me. Apparently you must live in northern VA where emissions tests are required. However it still seems strange to me that you cannot register the truck until you have the test done? I'm also wondering how it is you're driving the truck without it being registered and tags on it? If you got caught by Johnny Law doing so, it's gonna be a hefty fine to have to pay.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Arlington
So this morning on my way into work I stopped by the shop that does my state inspections for me. Apparently you must live in northern VA where emissions tests are required. However it still seems strange to me that you cannot register the truck until you have the test done? I'm also wondering how it is you're driving the truck without it being registered and tags on it? If you got caught by Johnny Law doing so, it's gonna be a hefty fine to have to pay.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties require bi-annual emissions testing. So do the independent cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Manassass, Manassass Park, and Falls Church. Everywhere else do not require bi-annual emissions testing. Annual safety inspections are required everywhere in Virginia.
You can get a waiver if you spend enough. Or find paperwork that the PO had it emissions tested within the last year in Maryland. However, it sounds like the truck needs it as it is. So I'd suggest getting it passed anyhow.
You can get a waiver if you spend enough. Or find paperwork that the PO had it emissions tested within the last year in Maryland. However, it sounds like the truck needs it as it is. So I'd suggest getting it passed anyhow.