CA Smog Question

[1973Guppie]

so I am trying to get all my obd monitors ready for a test tomm, drove like 60 miles today, on and off, different types of driving, etc and no luck in getting the CAT monitor to ready. This is the only one that is still not ready.

I was doing some light reading on the CA BAR website today and it shows I believe that you are able to have one monitor not ready. I was hoping to confirm with others out there that are dealing with the smog police here in CA if in fact that is true?

Thx,

Noah

 

[NLXTACY]

I was told one, luckily I had none.

 

[Blade 80LC]

I had the same sensor not ready, and the shop passed me. (No CEL.) I'm told that some shops won't issue a certificate if you have a sensor not ready. I think it has to do if they have had warnings for emission violations. If they have been warned several times, they may choose to be more stringent than state law requires.

 

[e9999]

I had the same sensor not ready, and the shop passed me. (No CEL.) I'm told that some shops won't issue a certificate if you have a sensor not ready. I think it has to do if they have had warnings for emission violations. If they have been warned several times, they may choose to be more stringent than state law requires.

it seems very hard to believe that they would not issue the certificate if you pass the actual state test requirements (including the one monitor not ready if that is indeed the rule - IIRC it is). Especially since much of it seems highly automated to me. Plus if they did you could likely challenge that.
Be that as it may, it is probably smart to ask before they do anything so as not to be charged -or worse- have a fail on your record.

I will say, though, that some inspectors don't know the rules that well, for instance my last one checked my fuel cap which IIRC is no longer mandated for my model year. (Discussion here someplace.)

 

[1973Guppie]

thanks guys, @e9999 , yes I believe evap is no longer relevant, at least that is what it says on my obd2 reader, I am hoping to just be prepared when I go in tomm, my smog guy has done a good job for years so I am sure he will do a great job.....

 

[Blade 80LC]

so I am trying to get all my obd monitors ready for a test tomm, drove like 60 miles today, on and off, different types of driving, etc and no luck in getting the CAT monitor to ready. This is the only one that is still not ready.

I was doing some light reading on the CA BAR website today and it shows I believe that you are able to have one monitor not ready. I was hoping to confirm with others out there that are dealing with the smog police here in CA if in fact that is true?

Thx,

Noah

You may want to print the section of the BAR site that says you can have an incomplete test, and still pass. If you want to get the test to complete, I found another thread that shows what the drive cycle is to complete the test.

-----------------------
Preconditions
The monitor will not run unless:
MIL is OFF.
ECT (Coolant Temp) is 176F (80C) or greater.
IAT (Intake Air) is 14F (–10C) or greater.*
* For 2002 MY and later vehicles: The readiness test can be completed in cold ambient conditions
(less than 14F / –10C), if the drive pattern is repeated a second time after cycling the ignition OFF.
Drive Pattern Procedure
Connect the OBDII Scantool to DLC3 to check monitor status and preconditions.
Note the IAT (Intake Air) value during engine startup. The driving time must be adjusted
during step “a” based upon IAT (Intake Air) value at startup.
a. Drive the vehicle at 40 – 55 mph (64 – 88 km/h) for the time described below:
If IAT (Intake Air) was less than 50F (10C) when the engine was started,
drive for 7 minutes.
If IAT (Intake Air) was greater than 50F (10C) when the engine was started,
drive for 3 minutes.
b. Drive the vehicle at 35 – 45 mph (56 – 72 km/h) for approximately 7 minutes.
NOTE:
Drive with smooth throttle operation.
Avoid sudden acceleration.
Avoid sudden deceleration as much as possible with the throttle fully closed.
If readiness status does not switch to “complete,” ensure preconditions are met, turn the
ignition OFF, then repeat steps “a” and “b.”
NOTE:
The readiness status may not switch to “complete” after the first drive pattern trip if a
Pending Code has been set (first trip for a two–trip DTC).
Pending Codes are available from the DTC Info Menu in Enhanced OBDII.
Pending Codes indicate a POTENTIAL problem was detected. A second trip is
needed to confirm the DTC prior to diagnosis.
Once a second trip is completed, a current DTC will be stored.

 

[TYM4FUN]

Correct, any one monitor can be incomplete for 1999 and older gasoline vehicles and still pass.

 

[1973Guppie]

So I passed today, which is great. Another problem popped up though. It seems that the stamped #'s on my magnaflow cats are wearing off and the smog guy said that in 2 years he probably won't be able to read them. Kinda pissed because that was literally $400 in cats I spent. I called magnaflow and they said they will warranty them if in fact they are not visible, which is really cool. I guess they have an 8 year warranty. I need to get under there tonight and inspect as the magnaflow rep said that they should still be visible and the smog guy might of been lazy. He told me to clean the area with bristle brush and water and if it is still not visible they will warranty.

 

[TrickyT]

I had the same sensor not ready, and the shop passed me. (No CEL.) I'm told that some shops won't issue a certificate if you have a sensor not ready. I think it has to do if they have had warnings for emission violations. If they have been warned several times, they may choose to be more stringent than state law requires.

This happened to me a few years ago. Shop said they wouldn't even look at my 80 if not all of the monitors were "ready". Found another shop and passed SMOG with no problem. Later I read that if the shop is on probation with the CA BAR they often refuse to do business with you. Not sure what the whole story is here, but for me I was very happy I went to a different place as they have been much easier to do business with.

 

[1973Guppie]

well I took a look tonight and one of the cats has a clear number stamped on it, the other is more rusted and does not show a number on it. Wondering if my exhaust guy installed the # on the second one upwards? oh well, not going to deal with this, I am good for 2 years anyhow...