fail emissions due to CEL

[avw0516]

so i just bought my stock 96 gst. i went to get it emissions tested today. since its 96 and above they didn't do the tailpipe test they just plugged their little diagnostics tool in. i passed everything except for some bs about the check engine light. they told me that my computer was telling the light to turn on but it just wasn't turning on. the bulb isn't out because it comes on with the car and turns off seconds later so i know its working. i bought the car with the CEL on. it was the o2 sensor. replaced that. then took it to autozone and told them to clear the light. they did and it hasn't been on since. and now i get this. called autozone and they were no help. plz help. thanx

 

[snyper1982]

I odn't know how it works in Ohio, but here in Cali. the seller is reponsible for Smoging the car. Unless of course you make some sort of agreement otherwise.

 

[timm98gst]

try a different emissions testing site - in the past, i've failed at one place, drove to another site and passed no problem

 

[TurboDSM86]

Maybe autozone screwed up and didnt actually erase the DTC. Even though the problem is gone (fixed your o2 sensor), the PCM still keeps a history of the code until it is cleared out. Id try taking it to autozone and seeing if they are able to pull up the code. If they can pull that code then obviously they didnt clear it last time. Plus its free .

 

[Nanan]

Get a PocketLogger so you can clear the CEL yourself thus cutting another string to the unreliable shops such as AutoZone.

 

[doodie]

your going to have to drive the car for a good 200+ miles before the CEL clears from the ECU for good. Did you go straight to the emissions station right after you changed that O2? Because that CEL will still be in your ECU after you clear it unless you drive for a while.

 

[avw0516]

thanks for the replies. i think i will take timm98gst advice. hopefully another emissions site will pass me. probably not but oh well. as for driving 200 more miles. thats going to be hard because its not registered and i have out of state plates. i was in the process of getting it registered and im too cheap to pay the $10.50 to buy the temporary plates. and i fixed the 02 sensor down in tennessee where i bought the car. cleared it down there. and then drove it back to ohio so theres your 200 miles anyway. i think i will go through the process of clearing the CEL through the manual, even though its not on ill do it anyway. as for the pocketlogger, sorry no money, spent it all on the car. when i say no money i mean it. bank acount=$20. hahhaha. thanx guys.

 

[timm98gst]

at least in summit county we don't have to pay for e-check anymore? do you still have to pay in cuyahoga?

 

[avw0516]

yeah its 20 bucks unfortunatly. but if you dont pass its free.

 

[avw0516]

i managed to pass but not the right way. apparently mitsu just came out with a statement saying the exact problem i have with my obd ll or something is a problem and you will fail emissions because of it. only in 96 though. so i got an exemption from the epa. thanks guys

 

[akdsmer]

i managed to pass but not the right way. apparently mitsu just came out with a statement saying the exact problem i have with my obd ll or something is a problem and you will fail emissions because of it. only in 96 though. so i got an exemption from the epa. thanks guys

FYI. Mitsubishi recall bulletin EMR-02-001 Refers to 1996-1998 Mitsubishi's. The problem is an I/M test failure can be caused by MIL being commanded on, but no trouble codes present. The resolution is: Check for MIL commanded on, but MIL is not illuminated. Repair is to replace ECM with updated part and run drivecycle.

I would not get an exemption, I would get a repair

 

[akdsmer]

I'm working on a tech article for the forum that discribes I/M testing problems, repairs and solutions for these OBDII cars. I'll have that up in a couple days.