NC Inspection and DSMLink

[mdj710]

I am looking at purchasing a 97 gsx with all emissions removed and an egr blockoff plate installed with DSMLink. My question is that I live in North Carolina and was wondering if it will by some magical way with DSMLink pass the OBD2 inspection? I think I already know the answer but was curious to see if anyone had tried this.

 

[snowborder714]

If the car cannot pass without link (i.e. no emissions when they're needed), then it won't pass. The software does not allow you to bypass issues that will fail you.

 

[jcarmichael]

my friend moved down to texas and traded his civic for a 240 for that very reason it probably wouldn't be much to get all the stuff back and make it emissions friendly but at the same time thats money you could spend else where into the car. if you haven't bought it yet I wouldn't do it.

 

[H4G64T]

If you can find someone willing to overlook the visual inspection, than yes Link can pass an OBD2 check.

 

[snowborder714]

So I am wrong? If you know how to pass an OBDII car (non-'95) that has no rear o2 sensor and no emissions, please let us know.

 

[H4G64T]

I'll do you one better and link you to the post that provided us our answer:

ECMTuning User Support Forums

For those who don't have access to it, one sec while I make a copy.

Okay, I am sure you guys have tackled this 10,000,00 times in the past, and trust me I have searched through many posts here, on Tuners and my local boards. The problem is I find some conflicting information from what I would consider reasonably reliable people.

I am coming up for inspection by the end of this month, funds a little short so a few minor issues I need to resolve would be better off for next month, financially wise. I have a 99 as you can see, currently have the 99 ECU in it, throwing a couple codes (bad ISC and O2 to blame). Otherwise the car is in excellent shape mechanical wise. I was considering throwing in my Link to it and just having it turn the codes off.

Here is where the conflicting information comes in, some people tell me that Link locks out the OBDII testing machines for legal purposes, others say it is a breeze to pass. The car isn't driven on the streets, I have my Camry for that, but in order for me to be allowed to park it in my driveway it must always be registered and inspected, and they cancel the registration if the inspection runs out.

I am just wondering which side of this information is correct? Will it lock out the OBDII test machine or not? Sorry for what I am sure is a frequent question.

Mike I believe there is a checkbox that you can check to allow other OBDII devices to connect I just can't remember where I have seen it.

Yeah, I thought there was one too, but it's been almost 2 years since I had this in the GST. I just need to make sure, so if there is not, I can order these parts in time for them to come in for the 31st.

On my phone so I can't tell you want page its on but look for a check box that says "lock ecu in ecmlink mode" or something to that affect

Thanks, Tom. As long as I know it is there, that's really what I needed.

V3 originally shipped with the Lock comm in ECMLink mode checkbox checked. Since many people didn't immediately understand the significance of that setting, at some point we changed V3 to ship with that checkbox unchecked.

Dave

For those who don't know, Dave is an administrator over at Link.

 

[snowborder714]

By unchecking that box, it should allow codes to be thrown since it doesn't have the ECMlink connection for the software to tell them to disappear. And this is the only way for another OBDII device to connect to the ECU.

Tom and Dave would not have made it allowable to pass any emissions tests as that'd be illegal. I think you may be reading a bit too much into that, or assuming something that was not stated clearly.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Im not sure how NC compares to NY for inspections, but in NY, we have to plug OBD2 cars into a computer that checks the monitors in the ECU. On all of my friends 2g's with EGR removed, no rear o2, etc....they all pass when you tell V3 to ignore those checks.

 

[H4G64T]

That is how we got Meat's car to pass, we use the same OBDII machine as NY though.

 

[Tyeler18]

By unchecking that box, it should allow codes to be thrown since it doesn't have the ECMlink connection for the software to tell them to disappear. And this is the only way for another OBDII device to connect to the ECU.

Tom and Dave would not have made it allowable to pass any emissions tests as that'd be illegal. I think you may be reading a bit too much into that, or assuming something that was not stated clearly.

You'd be surprised. Ecuflash allows OBDII readiness pass. The new inspection centers though have been picking up on it and SOME new scanners can still read it if it's using a OBD pass. I use it on my 3g (no inspection in SD) and our fully updated Modis cannot read any codes on my ecu.

 

[jcarmichael]

this is kind of interesting I am moving up to chicago soon and as far as I know they have emission testing I have v3 in my car so if it will make it pass awesome my egr is still in the car just not hooked up sure theres others stuff that will cause it to not pass though

 

[H4G64T]

this is kind of interesting I am moving up to chicago soon and as far as I know they have emission testing I have v3 in my car so if it will make it pass awesome my egr is still in the car just not hooked up sure theres others stuff that will cause it to not pass though

Your car shouldn't have to pass emissions, it is 20 years old.

 

[gofer]

Lock Comm in ECMLink Mode has nothing to do with emissions, it just locks out all other devices from being able to access the information stored on the ECU. The below is exactly what it does for clarification...

Lock comm in ECMLink mode
Check this box to disable factory communication mode. Normally, ECMLink starts up in factory-compatible mode so that factory scan tool can be used to connect to and read out information from the ECU. When the ECMLink application wants to talk to the ECU instead, it has to signal to the ECU to break out of this mode. Usually this works fine. But sometimes it can be problematic. If you're not planning to take your car to the dealer for diagnosis, you can check this box to lock the ECU in ECMLink communication mode instead which should help reduce the chances of a failed connection attempt by the ECMLink application.

The car is AWD so they can't load test it on the dyno, this makes it a bit easier. However, you'll still have to make it pass the visual inspection, sniff test, and OBDII scan that makes sure the readiness checks have passed. Out here in CA at least 3 (out of the 4) must pass or else you fail and if you select the mentioned "Lock comm in ECMLink mode" box and they can't connect at all, you still fail.

 

[jcarmichael]

my friend told me its different for each car up there but why would it not have to pass just curious(feel quite stupid by asking that question)

 

[H4G64T]

Here in MA and RI, anything that is 20 years or older is emissions exempt.

As for what gofer said, basically the software is still programmed to ignore the code, but with that unchecked non ECMLink connections can be made as well.

 

[snowborder714]

Anything OBD1 will not have computer emissions testing. So '95 vehicles and older are only subject to a visual inspection. So as long as you have the components in place, you pass. Some places will really check if they're hooked up properly and some places will just glance.

While non-ECMlink OBDII connections can be made, it's not a guarantee that all codes will be hidden. It sounds like some people may be getting away with it though.

 

[shockracer]

95's do have OBD II

 

[H4G64T]

We all know this.

96+ is the requirement year for OBD2, so anything under 96, OBD2 or not, is treated as OBD1.

 

[shockracer]

Nope, its what is stated under the hood on the stickers. Been there delt with it. Heck my 95 neon has a build date of 5-94, so I moved to a non emissions county, .

 

[H4G64T]

Sucks for Colorado then, it's treated as OBD1 here.

 

[mdj710]

Where I take my cars they only plug it up to check for the OBDII readiness codes. They skip the visual inspection.

 

[Boostinsideways]

95's do have OBD II

OBD-II wasn't federally required until 1996. Most states won't test for it unless its 96+.

Its the whole reason I searched high and low for a 95. I never have to worry about emissions.