CA Smog

[cajim]

Have a 96 Protege LX - 51,000 miles. Runs fine. No problems, except for last California Smog test. Emissions very low, but 3 sensors do not report. Dealer says $1000 for new PCM (plus installlation??). I'm noticed that often PCM problems are solved with reprogramming. I'm in Santa Ana, Orange County, California (35 miles south of LA). I can't find anybody around who gives me confidence that they know what they're doing with this repair. Has anyone been through this on smog?? Also, ther used to be a limit on what could be spent on repairs. I've checked around the state web site, but can't find any indication of where the statutes are. Is it unlimited now?? It may be a better investment to scrap out the car if it gets too expensive. Thanks for anyone's help.

 

[WillisW555]

Sorry no answers, but bump if anyone knows.

 

[Matthew]

i would say bulls*** on the PCM. do you ahve any modifications done to your car? do you have a check engine light?

 

[KpaBap]

If 3 OBDII readiness monitors are showing up as not ready then get an OBDII scanner and drive the car around until all the monitors show up as ready.

You should also try to complete the OBDII driving cycle (a few times) as outlined here:
http://hostingprod.com/@aa1car.com/library/us796obd.htm

If the monitors still haven't ran, then some DTCs should be showing up on your OBDII scanner and they should help you further diagnose the car.

If after completing the drive cycle a few times and driven the car for at least 4-500 miles the monitors still haven't ran and there are no CEL codes then it might be time for a new PCM.

Hope this helps as I'm dealing with the exact same thing and all my monitors just finally completed yesterday after 600 miles of driving or so.

 

[cajim]

CA Smog Additional

Thanks to all. No "Check Engine Light". Car is totally stock. I ran the run in cycle twice, but only put about 300 miles on it at the time. I've since driven cross county (to Huntsville, Alabama and back). So it'd be worth re-checking to see if a monitor has come back (OK to pass with 2 not reporting).

 

[KpaBap]

Autozone will let you rent an OBDII scanner for about $185 which they will refund in full when you return it.

 

[WillisW555]

Autozone will let you rent an OBDII scanner for about $185 which they will refund in full when you return it.

Yeah, I did that the other day. That's a sweet deal.

 

[kruiser]

I've also got a 96 Protege LX which just failed the OBDII inspection because 4 monitors reported as Not Ready (EGR, Catalyst, Evaporative system, and O2 sensor). I ran through the drive cycle a few times and checked with a scanner from Autozone, the same 4 monitors are still not ready. Other than that, no error codes at all. The car is completely stock and no work had been done on it other than regular maintenance and a muffler change. I drive 50 miles a day local and highway so there's no reason the monitors shouldn't reset themselves already. Anybody know what's going on? Oh, and no check engine light either.

There's a diagnostics plug inside the hood, should I get another scanner and check the codes on that? How do I use that diagnostic plug? Any help would be greatly appreciated.