Emissions Help

[paulk68]

Guys I took my wifes 2006 chevy malibu ss in to have the emissions test done and it kept kicking the test computer offline. The people at the test were not much help as to why this was happeing they asked if the car was chipped? to my knowledge it is not chipped it is a malibu LOL. Where do you guys think I should start with this problem?

[68Formula]

Maybe take it to the dealer and have it reflashed?

[JEFFTATE]

Try another emissions testing facility too .

[CarlC]

I agree with Jeff.

[sunkistcamaro]

Are you going to Cromwell Automotive? If not Rodney is a good guy and should be able to figure it out.

[paulk68]

thanks guys i will try another place this weekend and see how that goes.

[RS_Customs]

OBDII vehicles have I think 7 emission readiness monitors that the emissions computer looks for during the test(at least in GA).

As they come online after a reset they become "ready" as opposed to "not ready" or "failed". When they test you can have 2 of the readiness monitors say "not ready" while the rest read "ready" you can not have any "fail". Also do not go if your engine light is on, that is usually a fail right off the bat.

When I was having issues with my 98 sonoma, I was able to disconnect the battery over night with both leads touching each other to reset the computer(you want to be sure you car doesn't have any backup systems this would affect). Then drove straight to the emissions station(short drive). Usually the system only takes a few miles to get enough of the readiness monitors in the "ready" position for testing. If the emissions guy is cool, he can check to see if the system is ready to be tested before running the official test.

I am by no means and expert this was just my experience with my truck. You should be able to find more info about the readiness monitors if you need any more info.
Good Luck

Robert

[kamaroman68]

Readiness monitors are dependent on year of vehicle. For example in 1998 you could have 2 readiness monitors "not ready" and still pass as long as the check engine light was off. I believe in 2000 that changed to only being allowed one "not ready" monitor. It then changed again I believe in 2006 or 2007 to not pass if any were not ready. From what i understand some car makers were failing to be able to get all readiness monitors into a "ready" state right off the factory floor which is why there was such a discrepancy between then and now.

[MonzaRacer]

Readiness monitors can take up to 500 miles and several key starts to reset.
if you have a P1000 code this means some tests are not complete but that sys/sensor may not have failed yet,but can have erroneous readings causing it to still be in system.
As for battery cable off and tied together over night thats kind of over kill as most capacitors wont stay charged for more than few minutes if shorted.
OTC makes a plug in readiness monitor that you plug into your OBD port.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ready-Scan-Readiness-Monitor-Scan-Tool-OTC-3358-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35aba46c36QQitemZ23051 2946230QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
This is just one link, look around I used to see them for around $80.