QuestionQUESTION: My car will not pass emissions. There is no comunication between their tester and my cars computer. The check engine light is not on. Two years ago i had no problem passing emissions. Ive checked fuses and all the plugs that I could find, went back to emissions and still cant get a reading.
ANSWER: I don't believe there has to be communication between the car and the tester, the emissions are measured in the exhaust gas, and this is independent of the car computer. If the O2 sensors are OK and the egr systems work, the car should pass emission control. What is the requirement? We don't have this testing in Ohio... Let me know, Jan
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: In Oregon, cars from 1997 and newer are tested through the on-board diagnostic system. The emmissions test center hooks up to the on-board computer and gets a reading. Typically, if your check engine light is not on, you pass. They will not do manual testing on my car. For some reason they can not get my computer to communicate with their tester. Could it be my car computer needs to be reset?
AnswerSometimes there is a problem with the OBD plug, and a wire is pulled out or pushed out of the socket. It is normally attached to the lower dash, I would check the connections to it. If the computer cannot communicate with the tester, I would go to an autoparts store and see if you can read out the car's diagnostic codes. If they can, then I would suspect the testing station's testing equipment. If they cannot, then they cannot re-set the computer either and you will probably be making a trip to the dealer to get the problem with the interface diagnosed. Let me know what you find, Jan
