trbo2nr

I just came back from the inspector for emissions and he asked if I replaced
my battery or something else within recent days and I forgot I pulled the ECU. Anyhow, I'm guessing some logging is recorded and the inspector said it didn't pass or fail, just not enough data and came up with not enough data on the following:

O2 Sensor
HO2 Sensor
Catalyst
Evaporative System

I'll go back when I have some miles on it. I think I only put like 50 or less on it after the ECU went back in. Glad I did this early and still have a month before the plates are actually due for new tags.

Bob

Biscuit

Yep, true of most newer cars.

And actually this causes a big grey-area in the laws. Let's say you're working on a car (something which involves disconnecting power) to get it back on the road and in the meantime the tag expires. You can't renew your tag until you have emissions. And you can't do emissions until you've driven 50-100 miles. But you can't drive until you have a tag.

Happened to a friend of mine. He thought ahead and the tag office wrote him a note stating the predicament he was in. Sure enough, he pulls out of our subdivision to start putting some miles on the car so he can do emissions...blue lights. Literally drove less than 250 feet. Cop let him go with a warning since he had the note, hehe.

trbo2nr

So it wasn't just me this time. I know disconnecting the battery is far more common. This is one of those things where I never really thought much about. Glad he had the note and didn't get a ticket.

cldriver

This is OBD diagnostics that need to completed before you can pass inspection. If you have a scan tool then you can check for the I/M monitors to verify they are all set to 'OK'. These monitors reset happens whenever you disconnect the battery or clear any DTC code in the ECU. It takes time/miles for all the tests to run/complete. The inspection system will check to see if all monitors pass test and there are no CEL. If any monitor comes back "Not Ready" or something to that effect, you can't pass inspection.

If you've got time, keep putting miles on it till you are really close to expiration. Saves the hassle of finding out there are still some monitors that aren't set.

You can google for more info on OBD diagnostics....

Dingleberry

you can get all the monitors to read ready quicker by the type of driving.

try this:
1) idle for 10 mins
2) WOT for at least 5 seconds
3) drive around town for 20 miles
4) drive on the highway at >55mph for 20 miles

trbo2nr

I only put 40 miles a day on it. So, it might take some time. That plus when
the snow comes, I usually drive the SUV or beater.

320 dreamer

same issue with me!! recent ecu tune and they call it a drive cycle. as for expired tags most states have 30 day drive out temp tags for under 20$. then hes legal

MyFirstAMG

Similar to what Dingleberry posted.

The following "universal" drive cycle can be used as a guide to assist with re-setting monitors when a vehicle specific drive cycle cannot be located. This generic OBDII drive cycle begins with a cold start (coolant temperature below 122 degrees F and the coolant and air temperature sensors within 11 degrees of one another). This condition can be achieved by allowing the vehicle to "sit" overnight, and then by beginning the drive cycle the next day. Most drive cycles will be difficult to follow exactly under normal driving conditions, so the driver should exercise caution, road safety, and courtesy to others.



1. Start the engine. Idle the engine in drive for two and a half minutes with the A/C and rear defroster on.
2. Turn the A/C and rear defrost off, and accelerate to 55 mph at half throttle.
3. Hold at a steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes.
4. Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking or depressing the clutch.
5. Accelerate back to 55 to 60 mph at ¾ throttle.
6. Hold at a steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes.
7. Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking.

MyFirstAMG

Just to add another note that I don't think many know about. If your state does OBD II testing, you can get away with having one test not being ready. I have an '01 A6 that has a code for a bad torque converter. My Indy cleared the codes and kept scanning until all the other states were ready except that one. He then did emissions and it passed. This was for 05/2009.

320 dreamer

this only works for the indies. my state is one that has the emissions done by the state employees!!

willc55

Heh, yeah here you can just buy the sticker for $50 if you know where to go, good thing I'm not a tree hugger or that would really bother me

trbo2nr

I went to have the emissions done today and it didn't pass or fail. Just said I need to put more miles on the car and the car needs to complete a 'drive cycle'........ I admit I've only driven it 500 miles in the last month due to the weather but how long is a drive cycle? My tags expire in several weeks....

MyFirstAMG

See my post above.

trbo2nr

Just read it. Thx.

FrankW

LOL...I posted this in my thread from my sig long time ago.

normal driving you'll need somewhere between 800-900 miles. three tanks of gas at least.

last time when I did this I made 3-4 trips to the smog test ppl because of it.

trbo2nr

Wow. I'm just going back mid March and see. By then, I'll have 1000+ miles on it. Today I did let it idle for over two minutes after start. I know that's on the 'driving cycle' check list.

Bob

trbo2nr

Since I replaced the ECU, three codes come up on the emissions test as not ready. I've put 1000 miles on the car with highway and local city driving. I've kept the gas tank between 1/4 and 3/4 (some mentioned doing this).

It looks like since there are no cel lights on, I'll have to go to DMV and see what options I have as the clock is ticking...

FrankW

interesting.

when i did it I just ran it till the empty light comes on and refills.

trbo2nr

I'm going to have Jerry take a look at this. Just odd....

splinter

In California, one can pay the requisite car tax fees prior to their due date without having yet received its emission compliance certification - thereby avoiding any late penalties. It’s a ‘pending’ registration (during the ensuing three month grace period) until successfully passing inspection.

One of the hoops through which I learned to jump during my illegitimate hot rodding days. ;)

Good luck with yours.

cldriver

Curious, is the 4 monitors you listed in the first post still the same ones with the issue? ie none of them changed since you put on 1000 miles.

c32used

interesting info

mjgroves

A similar situation happened to me, although I didn't replace the ECU and this was in my Stratus

I moved to California and got the car smogged. Silly me, they saw my ram intake AFTER they did the tests and informed me that although my car passed smog test, it failed visual inspection. Gee, thanks for telling me that afterward so I could wait around for a half hour and waste my money.

I took it out and put my stock airbox in. Battery died. Didn't think anything of it, so I jumped it and a day or two later took it to the same place for re-test and it failed again. WTF. I was livid... I really hate this state.

Took it for a 3rd time after driving it some more (and doing the standard drive procedure) and it passed.

But this brings to mind a question... will the ECU tunes offered by eurocharged make the car fail emissions (this question is for my SRT6)? Not trying to hijack the thread, but since we're on the topic of ECU's and emissions...

trbo2nr

I don't think the tune jacked it up. I think I just had something going on with it. I got it back today and will take it in this weekend for the emissions
test. I've had other tunes on other Mercedes and no problems, even tunes on
my older GTI with no issues. Stuff just happens I suppose at a time you least expect it.

trbo2nr

Good for another two-years!