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)

 

This is what you are looking for, drive cycle criteria:

Ford Motor Company Driving Cycle

 

I am now confused! I thought all VA vehicles must pass Emission Inspections to get the tag stickers, in fact, I can't register the truck without it.

 

I think the 1996 F150 has OBD I, and the previous owner admitted that he had the truck battery unhooked.

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.

 

Yeah! Thanks for the link!.
I think I need to drive the truck whole lot more for it to be ready.

 

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.

 

I bet the dealer, where you bought your truck, already had the emissions done. However, safety inspection should be done every year, and emissions test every other year. So, I think you should have your emissions done last year. If not ... I don't understand how could DMV give you the tags for your plates. The emissions inspection reports are sent directly to DMV, so you never have to deal with it, unless ... the tests fail, like my case.

 

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.

 

I am now baffled.
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?

 

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.

 

Learn something new everyday! Thanks for the explanation, Ford_Six.

Will do this weekend and report back. Thanks.

 

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.

 

Yes, you are absolutely correct! When I came in for having the title transferred, DMV gave me a 30-day tag which will be expired by the end of this month. Thus, I am a bit worry, now that the truck is still not ready for emissions test. I got all other stickers, for tax, and safety inspection. I drove it on 66 yesterday quite a bit, and will do the reading again this afternoon to see if it's ready. If not, then I need to take it out again for a joy ride.

 

I would start with the basics, plugs, wires, distributor, fuel filter, air filter, oil change, ect. Even if the PO said he did it, do it anyway, people like to lie now a days and it couldn't hurt.

 

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.