Can’t pass smog check due to Check Engine light.
Check Engine light is on and I cannot pass a smog check. The mechanic said it might be electrical and couldn't help me.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
In your case I would recommend getting a second opinion. Enlist the help of a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, to scan your vehicle for trouble codes. The check engine light and the smog test failure are certainly related. The check engine light did not exist until the emissions stuff came to be put on engines. The only reason the check engine light comes on is to inform you that your engine is producing higher emissions, but because of this it may also not run as well due to how the emissions parts are installed on the engine. After the trouble codes are pulled, a more accurate diagnosis can be given.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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A vehicle will not pass an emissions test when the check engine light is on. If the battery has been disconnected or the trouble codes erased, you will have to drive the vehicle under varying conditions for up to one week before it will pass.
Get Rid of Your Check Engine Light
If your check engine light is on, you`ll automatically fail your smog test. In the State of California, your auto mechanic cannot refuse to test your car if they see the light on.
If your car fails the smog inspection, you should contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Program. They can help you find out what your next steps are.
Disconnect your 12V battery for 15 seconds. This will turn the check engine light off and clear the computer`s memory, or. Buy a scanner from Amazon, EBay, or an auto parts store and use it to clear the trouble codes, or. Find the fuse that supplies backup/memory power to the ECM and pull it for 15 seconds.
If the O2 sensor is bad, your vehicle won`t pass an emissions test because there will either be too much or too little oxygen in the exhaust, which affects the other emission gas levels.
The short answer is yes. Your vehicle can pass the smog check with a pending trouble code, so long as the check engine light is not illuminated and the required emission monitors are ready. A pending trouble code may set for diagnostic purposes and will not illuminate the check engine light.
P0420 means the catalytic converter is not efficiently removing pollutants from the exhaust. Your car won`t pass an emissions test. A bad catalytic converter isn`t a hazard to the driver but it can overheat and destroy engine components.
If you car fails a smog inspection or if you fail to get a smog inspection once every two years, then you will not be allowed to renew your car`s registration with the DMV. As a result, you will not be able to legally drive that car on the street.
The price of a smog inspection will vary from one smog test center to another. Smog stations are privately owned businesses. The normal price range of the average smog test is between $29.95 and $69.95 depending on the county you live in, the type of vehicle you own…
There is no fuse for the check engine light. If it`s not working (i.e. if it doesn`t light up as part of the ignition sequence), chances are it was deliberately deactivated to hide a major issue and dupe you, the buyer, out of more money.
The reasons for a check engine light turning on can range from something minor like a loose gas cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter. It could even be a sign of internal engine failure. Ignoring the problem can turn a potentially quick fix into a costly and time-consuming repair.
The oxygen sensor monitors the gas/air mixture being sent into the fuel injectors so the mixture can be adjusted if it is running rich or lean. A failing oxygen sensor will cause a smog check failure. Replacing an oxygen sensor is a relatively affordable repair.
Recommended Services. If your engine is misfiring it will not pass a smog check. The engine needs to be in good running condition in order to pass.
There are two ways to erase a Permanent DTC: A permanent DTC has been confirmed fault-free after three consecutive driving cycles. At the start of the fourth fault-free permanent DTC driving cycle, the MIL is extinguished, and the permanent DTC is cleared.
It`s called mode 10, permanent trouble codes. It`s any codes that still may have been cleared. You could have cleared it with a scan tool even, but the computer hasn`t run through the test to clear the codes so it`ll still be stored in there for up to 400 days.
start the vehicle and let it idle for two to three minutes in park or neutral. while it is idling, turn on the head lights, heater/defroster, and rear defroster for a three to five minute warm-up phase. let the idle speed settle down to near the normal speed.
Although the knock sensor trouble codes have not trigged the check engine light on (yet) they will cause a smog check failure if the codes exist within the ECU during the smog inspection. Knock sensor trouble codes P0325 and P0330 are usually 2 trip codes.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
2006 Ford Mustang has check engine light on
ANSWER : There are countless potential causes for your illuminated check engine light. The mechanic manually turned off the light, but it came back on because the problem has not been fixed. The first place to start is retrieval of the stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). These codes serve as a starting point for any further diagnostics a mechanic may perform. Codes will be stored anytime the check engine light is on. Since the first mechanic was unable to fix your concern, I recommend giving the professionals at YourMechanic a call. We offer expert check engine light diagnosis and repair.
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Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.
Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.
To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.
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While driving on freeway truck goes into a limp mode, and the check engine light, abs light, parking break light, service brake
ANSWER : It is possible that you could be having an issue with your powertrain control module. This is somewhat of a common problem on many GM vehicles. I would recommend having your vehicle inspected by the dealership to determine if the powertrain control module is functioning properly. If not, a reflash of the powertrain control module may resolve the issue but often times it must be replaced.
Read Full Q/A … : Can’t pass smog check due to Check Engine light.
Can’t pass smog check due to Check Engine light
ANSWER : The Check Engine light requires a special scan tool to determine the issue. Additional diagnostics may be required. An intake leak is common on this engine and may cause leaks, low fluids, and many other issues. With the vehicle sitting for a long time, other issues may be present. A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, can assist you with diagnosis of your car’s Check Engine light.
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Car started to slow down and then the check engine light, battery, and engine oil light came on. What could cause this?
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that the battery cable came loose or the wires to the oil pressure sensor has came loose or failed. Check the battery cables and make sure that the terminals are tight and clean. Check the wires to the oil pressure sensor and make sure that they are connected and not broken. If everything looks good, then the oil pressure sensor may have failed. Plus, check the computer for codes and see what is stored. This will lead you to the part that could have failed. I recommend replacing the oil pressure sensor then checking to see if the lights will go out. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your vehicle, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you with the warning lights that came on.
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Traction light/reduced engine power and check engine light coming on
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle may be experiencing some sort of intermittent wiring or sensor issue. If the problem occurred again after driving over a bump, then it may be possible that a damaged or loose wire is shorting or having contact issues. A common issue that can cause stalling is a faulty crank position sensor or wiring. I would carefully examine the engine for any loose or damaged wires. If the Check Engine Light comes back on, I would recommend having the trouble codes scanned before resetting the computer.
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Check Engine Light comes on after starting pickup
ANSWER : Hello there, thank you for asking about your 1992 Isuzu Pickup. A professional will have the correct equipment to read OBD1 codes. Retrieving the diagnostic trouble code(s) is the first place to start when diagnosing your vehicle. Increasing RPMs changes engine load, which can in turn affect many different sensors and components, causing the Check Engine Light to illuminate. The only way to narrow down the options and find the culprit is through in person diagnosis with an OEM compatible scan tool. A certified technician from YourMechanic can retrieve the OBD codes at your home or office.
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p0011 code,check engine light one, changed bank 1 vvt solenoid and check engine light still on?
ANSWER : The P0011 code is typically caused by oil issues with the car. I would particularly make sure the engine oil level is not low. The VVT solenoid relies on proper oil levels to do their job. If they don’t have enough oil, they won’t work. You can have a mobile technician from YourMechanic visit your home or office to inspect the Check Engine Light for you. If you follow through with a repair with us you will be reimbursed for the cost of inspection.
Read Full Q/A … : Can’t pass smog check due to Check Engine light.
