Failed PA State Emisions test

firstruck · February 24, 2005

This is my first inspection with the truck and I really don't have alot of info from my wrench yet. Truck runs fine. Not looking for remedies here just some ideas as to what might be up? Any common OBD glitches I should know about? Common sensor failures that would trigger a "fail" on the OBD and not light the CES light?

Not much to go on but thanks in advance!

neoh77 · February 24, 2005

This is my first inspection with the truck and I really don't have alot of info from my wrench yet. Truck runs fine. Not looking for remedies here just some ideas as to what might be up? Any common OBD glitches I should know about? Common sensor failures that would trigger a "fail" on the OBD and not light the CES light?

Not much to go on but thanks in advance!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you have a reason why you failed? Were you out of limits on NoX or the like?

Here in Ohio we went to just a simple computer plug in instead of the sniffer test on 96' and newer OBDII vehicles. No light, no problem.

High NoX emissions could be related to your egr valve not working right or possibly air injection not working right (if you have it on your vehicle) We had a heck of a time passing my buddies camaro. Ended up puttin the air pump back in and running some temporary hose to the converter (which has the air fitting) Passed with flying colors.

Oh... make sure your gas cap is on right! Otherwise it will throw an evaporative emissions system error code. Maybe your SES light is burned out?

-Matt

firstruck · February 24, 2005

This is my first inspection with the truck and I really don't have alot of info from my wrench yet. Truck runs fine. Not looking for remedies here just some ideas as to what might be up? Any common OBD glitches I should know about? Common sensor failures that would trigger a "fail" on the OBD and not light the CES light?

Not much to go on but thanks in advance!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you have a reason why you failed? Were you out of limits on NoX or the like?

Here in Ohio we went to just a simple computer plug in instead of the sniffer test on 96' and newer OBDII vehicles. No light, no problem.

High NoX emissions could be related to your egr valve not working right or possibly air injection not working right (if you have it on your vehicle) We had a heck of a time passing my buddies camaro. Ended up puttin the air pump back in and running some temporary hose to the converter (which has the air fitting) Passed with flying colors.

Oh... make sure your gas cap is on right! Otherwise it will throw an evaporative emissions system error code. Maybe your SES light is burned out?

-Matt

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Matt, all good ideas. I don't have the specific reason as yet, I'm gonna give my wrench another 30 minutes and then call to see whats up. PA stopped the sniffer test as well, so you'd think no ces, no problem, right?

mcreyaufmiller · February 24, 2005

If the intake gasket was replaced and there was a misfire code stored in the computer, when they check it, the code will pop up and fail the truck. Other than that, the PA inspection sucks, here in DE, we drive into the lane, the plug in and send us on our way. No disassembly required. Oh yeah, and it is free.

Shaners · February 24, 2005

What part of PA are you from?

Here in Western PA, the new emissions laws are to check the gas cap. I think they pressure test it or something...

If you have an aftermarket locking gas cap, it may be malfunctioning. (Of course your stock one could be bad too.)

firstruck · February 24, 2005

Thanks all! turned out to be code P0463 - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Signal hi/Open, cleared the OBD and it passed. Like I said somewhere here today my wrench is good guy, but not quite always on his best game.

neoh77 · February 24, 2005

Thanks all! turned out to be code P0463 - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Signal hi/Open, cleared the OBD and it passed. Like I said somewhere here today my wrench is good guy, but not quite always on his best game.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How nice of them to fail you on a non-emissions related code! That's pi**ing me off and it's not even my truck!

Hmmm.. if someone had a laptop with autotap..they could clear the codes long enough to get emissions tested...and... oh wait I've said too much...

-Matt

Glad ya got it solved!

blue2kzr2 · February 24, 2005

Clearing the codes then going right in for an emissions test will fail you. The testing computer checks "readiness bits", those bits won't be set to OK until after several drive cycles after a code reset. This is to prevent that type of "clear the codes and gor for a test" passing method.

NY has made it difficult to cheat the system if the vehicle in question is an OBD-II vehicle. The computer even prints a vehicle-specific sheet if it passes, with the VIN and everything on it. The R/O may be asked to show that paper at any time, so they suggest leaving it in the vehicle.

GM-Tech · February 25, 2005

PA stopped the sniffer test as well, so you'd think no ces, no problem, right?

We don't have emission testing here, so I'm not intimately familiar with it, but the engine control computer stores I/M (inspection/maintenance) flags that some states look at to determine whether or not the vehicle meets their standards. This is done by viewing the I/M system status display with a scan tool.

Even if there is no codes, some flags in this area may not be set as they should be, and if that's what your state uses, that would fail you.