California smog test & CEL

[DSMnOOb00]

Quick question about smog testing and engine check light, is this part of the visual or will the computer reflect the CEL?

 

[my dreamt dsm]

With the check engine light on they won't even bother to test your car. They'll just shake their head and say "nope". That will be the visual... in a way
The engine light also reflects the ecu. So basically something isn't running right and will cause false results on the test.

 

[sbeck]

SES light is instant fail. Once you get it fixed remember to do a good 30 miles drive so that the computer runs the monitors. They will fail you if you do not have enough monitors passed. As long as its obd-II they actually hook up to your car so you cannot just take out the bulb or disconnect the battery to get the light out.

 

[LeosTalon]

They might tested but will never pass... it has happened to me. I cleared the c.e.l. and that was all.

 

[DSMnOOb00]

They might tested but will never pass... it has happened to me. I cleared the c.e.l. and that was all.

So you just cleared the CEL and had it test a failed?

I had a 97 awd and a place that's willing to look the other way as long as it passes the idel sniffer test

 

[DSMnOOb00]

Question, I disconnected the BCS, Do I have to plug it too? its still connected but isnt plugged

 

[sbeck]

That can cause a check engine light. Plug it in

 

[Rengar18]

CEL is part of visual. Pretty sure the monitors dont pick up CELs if you have it cleared knowing it'll come back on your next engine start. As long as it does not lite up on your dash you should be good.

 

[sbeck]

CEL is part of visual. Pretty sure the monitors dont pick up CELs if you have it cleared knowing it'll come back on your next engine start. As long as it does not lite up on your dash you should be good.

The smog machine communicates with the computer and if the computer has not run the monitors it will fail the car. Check engine light is not just a visual inspection on obd-II cars in CA.

 

[synthetek]

CEL is part of visual. Pretty sure the monitors dont pick up CELs if you have it cleared knowing it'll come back on your next engine start. As long as it does not lite up on your dash you should be good.

If you clear the CELs and go and try to have it tested when they do the OBDII test the monitors will not be "Ready". You will have to drive the car until enough of the monitors become "Ready" but by the time the monitors are "Ready" the CELs will probably come back if you have not fixed what is causing them and you will fail. The CEL is not part of visual, you could remove the bulb but they will still know you have a CEL when they plug into your OBDII port.

 

[Rengar18]

Last April I passed just fine with my rear o2 disconnected. All I did was stop at a gas station and clear the code with Evoscan before I went to the station and passed no problem.

Also check this out.

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/im/obd/regtech/420f08009.pdf

http://epa.gov/otaq/regs/im/obd/r01015.pdf

 

[sbeck]

I did drivability and smog repairs at the dealership and know how to check the monitors with both a scan tool and smog machine. You need to have at least 3 monitors run and passed with none that have failed to not fail the smog test. Sometime the monitors will only take 5-10 miles to run while other times they can take 60.

 

[DSMnOOb00]

very nice! I'm feeling better and better about taking my car in to get the smog test

 

[shavo_lagu]

Hey guys,

I am new to DSM and would greatly appreciate the help.

I have a 98 Eclipse Spyder GST and barely failed the Hydro Carbon smog test. Here are the HC stats....

15mph_max_56_meas_63
25mph_max_39_meas_41

From doing research online....I probably should have warmed up the car longer...only drove it for like 20mins...and I am going to change the air filter and sparks plugs and add some sort of engine cleaner. What else can I do...

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[deathindecay]

Yeah I'm a smog tech and u will fail for ## readiness monitors if they haven't been completed the eis machine communicates with obd2... Now if it was a 95 we can say it passed the mil functional test and u would be good

 

[my dreamt dsm]

Im no pro but I was 1 point from failing my HC test also. The only thing I say might of cause that is that i have high carbon build up in my motor. My compression is about 185- 190 across the board. Give seafoam a try and good luck!

 

[shavo_lagu]

sounds good, thanks guys

 

[shavo_lagu]

hey guys,

So i tried the seamfoam....stuff is amazing. could feel the power back in my car. BUT....as the white smoke was clearing out, I noticed a crack between the CAT and the back pipe. Thinking of replacing my cat....but do i really need a new cat to pass the Hydro Carbon's?

 

[DSMnOOb00]

hey guys,

So i tried the seamfoam....stuff is amazing. could feel the power back in my car. BUT....as the white smoke was clearing out, I noticed a crack between the CAT and the back pipe. Thinking of replacing my cat....but do i really need a new cat to pass the Hydro Carbon's?

where is the leak? if your car is leaking you will fail. Try some JB Weld to patch up the crack until you get it replace