Will this LC '99 Pass Emissions Test in NJ?

[VijayW]

Hi Folks,

This LC 1999 had a misfiring problem, which I corrected a few days ago by using an OBD reader/scanner to identify a bad ignition coil set, and replacing it. The Check Engine light went away by itself, and I cleared the stored code using the OBD tool. The engine runs smoothly; no problems that I can see or smell.

This has over 250,000 miles, but hasn't been driven much lately. Gas tank nearly 3/4 full since fill-up in March; the fuel in the tank is BP premium with a bottle of DuraLube upper cylinder lubricant and a bottle of STP treatment. Since the New Jersey State emissions test was due at the end of July, I wish to do the best before I take it for the emissions test soon.

I know that they'll hook up to OBD, and do a visibility test for exhaust as well, but I couldn't find any info anywhere as to whether the test is done with the engine idling, or under load on a machine similar to a dynamometer. This vehicle has the center differential locked (due to an unrelated problem with a front CV), the effects of which I feel only when parking. Will this be an issue for the NJ emissions test?

If anyone who is knowledgeable can kindly review the OBD data (from Centech 98614 form Harbor Freight) below to see if there are issues of concern, that will be much appreciated.

In case your knowledge is from another state, the last NJ inspection passed 2 years ago (at 243,000 miles) says:
This test was performed in conformance with section 207(b) of the Federal Clean Air Act. Primary Emission Test Performed: OBD - PASS. Secondary Emissions Test(s) Performed: Gas Cap, Tampering, Visible Smoke, Liquid Leak, Indicator Light, Misc. Emissions

Current OBD Data from 2 days ago:

Control Module: ISO 9141-2
No codes are stored in the module!
No pending codes are stored in the module!

First Data Set after Re-start:
DTC_CNT 0
FUELSYS1 OL
FUELSYS2 OL
LOAD_PCT(%) 9.0
ETC(°F) 171
SHRTFT1(%) 0.0
LONGFT1(%) 3.1
SHRTFT2(%) 0.0
LONGFT2(%) 3.9
RPM(/min) 666
VSS(mph) 0
SPARKADV(°) 10
IAT(°F) 90
MAF(lb/min) 0.820
TP(%) 16.1
O2S B1S12--B2S12--O2B1S1(V) 0.000
SHRTFTB1S1(%) 0.0
O2B1S2(V) 0.000
O2B2S1(V) 0.000
SHRTFTB2S1(%) 0.0
O2B2S2(V) 0.000
OBD OBD2

After about 3 minutes of idling:
DTC_CNT 0
FUELSYS1 CL
FUELSYS2 CL
LOAD_PCT(%) 14.9
ETC(°F) 194
SHRTFT1(%) -3.9
LONGFT1(%) 3.9
SHRTFT2(%) -4.7
LONGFT2(%) 7.0
RPM(/min) 680
VSS(mph) 0
SPARKADV(°) 11
IAT(°F) 82
MAF(lb/min) 0.640
TP(%) 15.3
O2S B1S12--B2S12--O2B1S1(V) 0.800
SHRTFTB1S1(%) -4.7
O2B1S2(V) 0.525
O2B2S1(V) 0.640
SHRTFTB2S1(%) -5.5
O2B2S2(V) 0.050
OBD OBD2

After about 5 minutes of idling:
DTC_CNT 0
FUELSYS1 CL
FUELSYS2 CL
LOAD_PCT(%) 15.3
ETC(°F) 205
SHRTFT1(%) -3.9
LONGFT1(%) 3.9
SHRTFT2(%) -2.3
LONGFT2(%) 7.0
RPM(/min) 683
VSS(mph) 0
SPARKADV(°) 13
IAT(°F) 90
MAF(lb/min) 0.659
TP(%) 15.3
O2S B1S12--B2S12--O2B1S1(V) 0.820
SHRTFTB1S1(%) -1.6
O2B1S2(V) 0.165
O2B2S1(V) 0.080
SHRTFTB2S1(%) -0.8
O2B2S2(V) 0.050
OBD OBD2

Thanks in advance!

 

[TXLX100]

You should be able to look up your state's inspection rules and regulations online. Texas requires dyno emissions testing on vehicles 1995 and older. If NJ is like most other states, 1996 and newer would not be subject to dyno emissions testing. As long as all of the monitors have reset after your CEL and repair, you should be good to go.

 

[VijayW]

An Update -

SUMMARY: My vehicle is not ready for emissions test yet; need to do a few driving cycles before the OBD Monitors will be "Ready". Analysis of my Live Data sets still welcome!

LONG STORY:

I still have not been able to find exact NJ emissions test procedures, but that doesn't matter much as the basic law is in NJ Statute Title 39, and in 2010 has been updated to be similar to California emissions regulations. So, I believe that the test procedures are similar to CA, TX etc, and as TXLX100 suggested, for OBD-II compliant vehicles (since 1996) a dynamometer test is not done. This is because the on board "Computer" (ECU / PCM), analyzes, adapts to, and records the responses to various driving conditions. This data is retrieved thru' the OBD-II interface for emissions testing.

It is in this regard that my vehicle is not ready right now, because ... when the battery has been drained, disconnected for a long period, or the MIL light or a code has been cleared, some of the on-board Monitors are in a "Not Ready" state until enough driving cycles have been completed. When the battery has gone dead and reconnected, one encounters sluggish acceleration which most drivers naturally overcome by driving it hard for a day or two. The manufacturer-recommended driving patterns to accomplish Monitor Readiness are overwhelming! For Toyota's 1996-2002, the factory-recommended driving cycles to ready the Monitors are found in:
http://www.watrd.com/work/TSB_EG003-02_(revised).pdf

For this Land Cruiser 1999, with the Monitors 3, 5, 9 and 11, as mentioned on page 6 of the above doc, one has to do the corresponding driving patterns described on pages 12, 14-15, 21 and 23. I cannot imagine how one could follow those instructions to the letter without getting into a serious collision. So I'm just going to do some regular driving, including highway driving for 10-20 miles tomorrow, and go from there.

Using my OBD tool, I found that
Since DTCs Cleared
MIL Status OFF
Misfire Monitor OK
Fuel System Mon OK
Comp. Component OK
Catalyst Mon INC
Htd Catalyst N/A
Evap System Mon INC
Sec Air System N/A
A/C Refrig Mon N/A
Oxygen Sens Mon INC
Oxygen Sens Htr INC
EGR System N/A
so I indeed need to do some driving to get the 4 "INC" Monitors to "OK" before going for Emissions Test!

I still would appreciate any analysis of the Live Data sets from my OBD scanner that I posted in the original post; however, the important lesson (which I learned here, as opposed to e9999, who learnt it the hard way: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/307037-aaargh-smog-test-failure-warning-how-many-cycles.html), is to make sure that your OBD Monitors are in a Ready state - even with everything else perfect - before going for an OBD-based emissions test. Hope this info helps someone else as well!

 

[TXLX100]

That's all you can do if the monitors aren't ready.. The "drive cycle" is so weird to achieve. I would just drive it for a week and then check again with your scan tool. For what it's worth, I think you can have at least one (maybe two) monitors in ready status and still pass state inspection in Texas.

 

[VijayW]

Good News to report!
All 4 remaining OBD Readiness Monitors reset to OK after just a single 16-mile drive!

Rather than following the 4 separate drive patterns in Toyota TSB EG003-02 (link above), I tried to follow a generic OBD-II Drive Cycle that I found online (see picture below).

One additional suggestion that I saw elsewhere, but forgot to follow, was to open (to release pressure) and then tightly close the gas cap before starting. Also, I idled the first 2 minutes in Park, as opposed to in Drive. This was my first drive out since clearing the Check Engine light.

The key to this Drive Cycle is to start from cold, warm up 2.5 minutes, then accelerate smoothly (1/2 -3/4 throttle) to 55-60mph (where indicated) and coast down to 20mph without using brakes. I was able to do the coasting while slowing down to pay highway tolls.

With this Drive Cycle as well as with Toyota ones, it turns out that there's no need to follow speeds and times to the letter. I had to drive on local streets for about a mile before hitting the highway. My 16-mile drive was for an actual shopping need, and took me under 25 minutes.

Many of you may have done these Monitor Readiness resets without even realizing. But then there's the story of someone who couldn't get to reset even after 200 miles of driving until he followed the Toyota TSB, when he got it done in less than an hour:
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/info-dri...-monitors-before-state-emissions-test-250780/

Some Monitors are said to be difficult to reset (especially the Catalytic converter readiness monitor if your Catalytic Converter is marginal). Anyway, I consider myself lucky in that now the vehicle is ready to be emission-tested next Saturday, and will, hopefully, pass.

Thanks to all.

 

[VijayW]

Hi All,

This vehicle passed the Emissions Test; but it failed in the first try in the Gas Cap test. I had previously read about gas cap stories, how even some brand new cars fail, so after initial test failure, without questioning it I drove right away to an auto parts store to get a new cap, went back to re-test within an hour, and got it all passed.

For the benefit of others who might be looking for this info (which I couldn't find online), the test details (at a free NJ State inspection facility):
- give papers, registration, insurance, drivers license
- testing employee takes over driving, and takes it into test area
(the engine is shut down several times, at different test stops)
- camera shows underneath, so that they can check leaks, exhaust tampering etc
- plug their machine to OBD-II connector under dashboard near steering wheel
- the OBD readouts are done with engine idling - no dynamometer
- gas cap test is done using a vacuum or a nitrogen gas line (couldn't see how exactly it's done)

I guess since I had my tools and equipment in the backseat, I was asked to remain in passenger seat; I saw other drivers getting out during the test.

The test takes less than 15 minutes altogether. The gas cap test was re-done when I returned with the new gas cap.

Please see the initial test result detail photo below. Hope this helps.