Smog: most sensors "not ready"?

[yajreckless]

I just bought a 96 gsx and tried smogging yesterday. But couldn't smog it because the sensors were in "not ready" state. Would swapping out the ecu to my brothers 99 eclipse ecu do the trick? And how much driving after I swap the ecu until I can take it back to smog?

 

[daygloworange]

It was probably in a not ready state because the battery had been drained or disconnected for long enough to reset the computer. You don't need to swap out the ECU- just drive around for a bit after you're sure the battery is good. Also, clean up your battery terminals and cables well to make sure you're getting a good connection. You'd be surprised at how many things can go wrong simply from dirty battery connections.

 

[yajreckless]

The car had a dead battery, so I bought a new one. I've drove the car for more than 200+ miles already though. Wouldn't that have set the ecu already?

 

[daygloworange]

Yeah, 200 miles would do it as long as it's pretty variable driving. This same thing was happening to me, and it turned out to be dirty battery cable connections. I used a water/baking soda solution to neutralize any corrosion on the cables in any exposed area, but start out with the cheapest/easiest solution. I replaced all my battery cables and ground cable and it solved all sorts of issues.

 

[yajreckless]

Terminals are fine, but I'll check the battery cables and ground. But if it happens to be my ECU, would it work if I swap it out with my brothers 99?

 

[yajreckless]

ok...can anyone help me? I tried swapping to my bro's 99 gst ecu but it will not run. If I run my car for over 100 miles w/o turning off the car, will the ecu then be ready?

 

[TunaTalon]

There is another long thread where this problem is explained and resolved. Please read through the thread from post 91. (http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...ng-smog-because-monitors-4.html#post151429210)

Also see the wiki at OBDII Emissions Testing and the DSM - Dsmwiki which includes a sample e-mail requesting a waiver.

 

[yajreckless]

I've read those post already. I don't get what it all means. Does it mean that my smog station can bypass the check ecu ready status for my particular car but he didn't know that? Or does it mean I have to email a letter to my State Emissions Testing to get a waiver to bypass that portion of the test?

 

[whiteAWD]

i know that most 2g talons/eclipse's are exempt from emission testing here in illinois due to monitor status always set to "not ready" it is an internal software issue in the ecu that is recognized by mitsu and the EPA. i will look today to get a list of the exempt vehicles and post again in a while

 

[yajreckless]

Well I did some research and came up with this.
I'm from California.
ETBlast Print Message
http://www.bar.ca.gov/80_BARResources/ftp/pdfdocs/APPENDIX_J.pdf
I'm still not certain if this applies to all smog shops in CA or just state refs.
But guess I'll find out the answer tomorrow after I revisit the smog shop with the Printouts of those links.

 

[whiteAWD]

i have the list in my hand for all vehicles that will not be rejected for "not ready" monitor status, 1996-1997 eagle talon and 1996-1998 all mitsu vehicles are exempt in illinois, if you want a copy of this i can email it to you but i am new to this site so i dont know how

 

[TunaTalon]

Eagle Talons are the same in 1997 and 1998. Some lists are unaware that there was a Talon in that last year of 1998.

 

[whiteAWD]

his car should be exempt as should all the 2g owners, they are here in IL

 

[TopGun8818]

Run the car between 40-100 miles at least - take it to the smog place and the sensors will be set - DO NOT TURN OFF THE CAR - IT WILL RESET THE PROCESS AND HAVE THE SENSORS TURN BACK OFF.

 

[2GEcpliseluvr]

Can anyone confirm any previously stated information?
I'm currently trying to pass smog in CA. the car is a 97 GS-t.
The car is stock less: upper and lower i/c piping, injen intake and a HKS filter, knock off N1 3" catback.
It has a new FPR sensor, new front O2 sensor, new cat.

I live in a non-enhanced area, so i only need 3 of 5 monitors to run to pass. My monitors will not set, my car has no C.E.L no pending codes and is well within the limits of the sniffer.
I'm a apprentice GM tech and was able to dig up the Mitsubishi T.S.B 00-13-005 for the drive cycle, i have performed this for roughly an hour and a half, with no success.
Ive also heard Mitsu can manually run the monitors using the MUT-II, but the local dealership has no knowledge of this and informed me the drive cycle is the only way. That dealer isn't a mitsu only dealer and only has one mitsu tech so i am not sure on the validity of that claim.

:EDIT:
I have also read on threads on hear the reasoning behind the monitors resetting after key off, is due to not having power to pin #80 on the ECM. The pin that supplies "back up" power to the ECM with the key off. I used a power probe and tested for power, and i have 12.4v with the key off.
You can test this in the fuse block for power at the A/C fuse.

 

[ed1380]

Some 2g's have a problem where the monitors never set. They even made a federal exception for 95-98


And no you don't want to put in a 98-99 ecu. They have a couple extra emissions sensors and will always trip a cel

 

[2GEcpliseluvr]

Do you know where i can find this federal exemption?





:EDIT:
I was able to dig this up on the EPA web site

http://www.epa.gov/obd/regtech/420b11022.pdf

Bottom of page 2 of 5
"Make:Mitsubishi
Year:1996-1998
Model:All models
Problem: Catalyst monitor is difficult to complete
Action: The OBD readiness criteria for this vehicle allow two monitors to be incomplete. Test as normal."

 

[TunaTalon]

That EPA regulation also applies to the Eagle Talon:

Eagle 1996-8 Talon with 2.0L Turbo,

All monitors reset to incomplete upon every ignition key-off

These vehicles are not reflashable and should be tested without regard to monitor readiness.

The Mitsubishi designed ECU for those years had defective software. All of the drive cycles and paid dealer resets are a waste of time and money. The EPA knows of the problem and all of the states are required to test by the EPA's regs. If your local tester doesn't know of the regulations, deal with it as for any other problem with the bureaucracy. Stand your ground and use the written word to educate the tester. Don't pay.

 

[2GEcpliseluvr]

Do you have a link to the official .gov website containing the data stating to ignore the monitors?
I'm going to smog the car at my work, and my word against the senior tech wont fly.
If i have an actual EPA or CA BAR document would be a different story.

 

[TunaTalon]

See post 17 above for the current link and my old Wiki "also referenced above" for the context.

 

[2GEcpliseluvr]

An update: Ray from Extreme Auto Works was nice enough to lend me a ECU out of one of his 97 cars. The monitors were set on it previous to us swapping it into my car. I drove roughly 20 miles at 60mph, idled for 5 min and they did not reset. I then proceeded to drive out into the boonies and performed the disgusting drive cycles. I performed them roughly 6 times, and 40-50 miles later, still no monitors. Then again this morning, drove another 20 miles at 60mph, stopped and idled, and still nothing.

There are still no current DTC's or any pending DTC's. Any ideas on what could be holding them up?

Also i read over what you have posted. Where do you send this letter to? The EPA, BAR, or the local smog shop?

 

[TunaTalon]

It won't help to tell the EPA about the EPA regs.

I got my waiver from the MO agency responsible for emissions testing. But back then the regs has not yet been promulgated down to the shops.

If doing it today I would start with the shop since they probably have the information they need on a computer already. If no luck there then try the state agency.

 

[MY1GDSM]

No you don't want to put in a 98-99 ecu. They have a couple extra emissions sensors and will always trip a cel

The main ones are just a extra solenoid an the pressure sensor in the tank it would be a bit more work though then it's worth... But, There's other ways around that as well of course those are some muddy waters... .

Wondering if some of the people that posted these types of threads have gone threw this whole thread... .http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/maintenance-repairs/167675-not-passing-smog-because-monitors-6.html

 

[TunaTalon]

That's way too much work. I referenced that and the wiki in post No. 7 of this thread.

 

[MY1GDSM]

Yes I know it is... . But people make all this out a lot harder then it all really is. Depending on the method you go about fixing the problems.


You may have referenced it I was just making a point that people should read the WHOLE thread a bit has been added to it in the almost 3 years since you posted a link to it... .