ICE Vehicle Fails Smog Check - OBD System Not Ready to Test

Took the ICE vehicle in for a smog check today after getting 135,000 mile service and replacement of leaking valve cover gasket this week. Emissions were very good, but my car failed because "the OBD system was not ready to test". :evil: The tech told me I need to drive the car 50-100 miles after the battery was disconnected (likely during the service) for the OBD system to be ready, and they will retest for free. I had only driven the ICE vehicle 20 miles to get home since the service was done. Damn ICE vehicles!!!

It's a common occurrence. Any of the cheap OBD testers will tell you if the Ready System is set...

Stoaty said:

Took the ICE vehicle in for a smog check today after getting 135,000 mile service and replacement of leaking valve cover gasket this week. Emissions were very good, but my car failed because "the OBD system was not ready to test". :evil: The tech told me I need to drive the car 50-100 miles after the battery was disconnected (likely during the service) for the OBD system to be ready, and they will retest for free. I had only driven the ICE vehicle 20 miles to get home since the service was done. Damn ICE vehicles!!!

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every manufacturer has a recommended driving cycle to reset the OBDC. Could be driving below 55 for 5 minutes and then stopping.. etc etc .. just google it.

braineo said:

every manufacturer has a recommended driving cycle to reset the OBDC. Could be driving below 55 for 5 minutes and then stopping.. etc etc .. just google it.

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Thanks! Found it:

Many Manufacturers

http://www.epa.ohio.gov/Portals/27/echeck/docs/OBDReadiness_DriveCyclesNov2012.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My Toyota Camry:

http://www.watrd.com/work/TSB_EG003-02_%28revised%29.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, there are multiple drive cycles--each one for various purposes--that I would have to do to reset the OBDC. Plus, I am not sure which engine type I have (guess I need to check that). I have 6 cylinder 2002 Camry automatic transmission.

I tried to get the Torque android app working on my phone with my ELM327 so I can make sure the ICE vehicle is ready for repeat smog testing. Works fine on the Leaf, but can't get it to pair when plugged in to the ICE vehicle. Followed all the instructions in the Wiki for the Leaf Spy app on how to pair successfully and tried all codes, but no joy. Thinking about buying a dedicated scantool instead. Any suggestions? Thanks.

i bought this one on sale for $145 and does eevrything http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HVPV4S/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

braineo said:

i bought this one on sale for $145 and does eevrything http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HVPV4S/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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That's a little pricey for my needs. Thinking about ordering this one for $37:

http://www.amazon.com/Autel-AL301-OBDII-Code-Reader/dp/B008PTM6EG/ref=dp_ob_title_auto#productDetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Reads and displays Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) monitor status (which is what I need to determine whether it is ready for the retest).

Stoaty said:

My Toyota Camry:

http://www.watrd.com/work/TSB_EG003-02_%28revised%29.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However, there are multiple drive cycles--each one for various purposes--that I would have to do to reset the OBDC. Plus, I am not sure which engine type I have (guess I need to check that). I have 6 cylinder 2002 Camry automatic transmission.

Click to expand...

You probably have the 1MZ-FE judging by some quick Googling and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MZ_engine#1MZ-FE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

(And yes, I've known about guides to pass all the readiness tests for a long time. First learned of them when my roommate w/a crap Pontiac Sunfire ran into this. And, I'd stumbled across references to a readiness cycle in the service manual for my former 04 350Z.)

OK, got the OBDII CAN code reader in my post above. Monitor works well, got the following DTC code:

P0401 - Insufficient EGR flow

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0401" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Two of the I/M monitors also reported a Not Ready Status: EGR and EVAP. Each of those has a drive cycle specified by Toyota to set them to Ready, but I am wondering if the EGR is related to the P0401 code above.

Any thoughts about how to proceed? I am going up to Mammoth (300 mile drive each way) in a couple of days, so car should get a good workout and perhaps at least one of the I/M monitors will report Ready after that trip. Registration renewal due March 8.

I think I would try replacing the EGR valve and/or the hose attached to it. It shouldn't cost too much (unless you purchase it from Honda).

Yeah, Honda and Toyota EGR valves are known to be problematic. Replacing it (or even removing it and cleaning it) should solve the problem.

RegGuheert said:

I think I would try replacing the EGR valve and/or the hose attached to it. It shouldn't cost too much (unless you purchase it from Honda).

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RegGuheert said:

I think I would try replacing the EGR valve and/or the hose attached to it. It shouldn't cost too much (unless you purchase it from Honda).

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It would probably be a poor choice to buy from Honda... since I have a Camry. Thanks for info, will let you know how it turns out.

Stoaty said:

It would probably be a poor choice to buy from Honda... since I have a Camry. Thanks for info, will let you know how it turns out.

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Let me try that again: I don't have experience with Toyota, but if they are like Honda, I'd pick one up elsewhere. Good luck!

In CA, you can renew the vehicle registration online and pay the
fee before the deadline, to avoid any penalty late fee, even without
having the smog done. Then, when the smog test is successful,
it gets transmitted in electronically, and then the DMV will send
your new registration. Works well, quick, pay by credit card,
and no extra fee for paying online. One of DMV's great online
services. I have been using it for several years.

garygid said:

In CA, you can renew the vehicle registration online and pay the
fee before the deadline, to avoid any penalty late fee, even without
having the smog done. Then, when the smog test is successful,
it gets transmitted in electronically, and then the DMV will send
your new registration.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that info. Update: mechanic determined that the EGR line had not been reconnected after valve gasket replacement. DTC erased (which resets all I/M monitors to Not Ready). Driving 40 miles has turned all monitors to ready except EVAP. Now need to add some fuel to get fuel level to 1/2-3/4 full (and drive) to more quickly get this monitor back to Ready status.