Emissions testing

[Kelemvor]

I have to take my car in for emissions testing and I know it's going to fail because my "Check Engine" light is on. I took my car to Advanced Auto Part and they used their machine to hook up to the car and read the codes. Of course all they could tell me what that it was some minor leak in the emissions or exhaust. THey suggested a new gas cap which I bought and it didn't help.

So my question, if I go in for the testing, will the Emissions Control people be able to print out someting more specific about what might be wrong or will they just tell me something generic as well so I shoudln't bother even taking it in and would have to go to a mechanic instead?

Anyone know?

Thanks.

 

[jlbenedict]

The emissions testing facility is going to hook your vehicle up to the computer just like Autozone will.

To further diagnose the problem, you will most likely need to take your vehicle to your dealers service center.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
The emissions testing facility is going to hook your vehicle up to the computer just like Autozone will.

To further diagnose the problem, you will most likely need to take your vehicle to your dealers service center.

OK. I didn't know if the Emissions people had access to more info than the auto store or if they'd tell me the exact same thing.

 

[nakedfrog]

Did you get the light reset after you got the new gas cap?

 

[funboy6942]

Take out the check engine light and have it tested. If it passes FTW if you dont take the light out or get the light off most wont even bother hooking it up to the machine

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Take out the check engine light and have it tested. If it passes FTW if you dont take the light out or get the light off most wont even bother hooking it up to the machine

Thats fraud. There is a reason why the check engine light is on.

Here in Maryland, I believe vehicles newer than 1995 get the computer "onboard diagnostics" test. If its older, it gets the treadmill test.

I just took my Explorer recentlly. It previously had a check engine light on. My battery died... Charged the battery back up.. check engine light was off..
took my vehicle to get tested.. they hooked it up.. and got the "Cannot communicate" error...
They asked me if I had worked on my vehicle recently..I told them my battery died.
They said I need to drive my vehicle around for a few weeks because all the codes were cleared from my vehicles computer.
Maryland is pretty strict about vehicle emissions.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: funboy42
Take out the check engine light and have it tested. If it passes FTW if you dont take the light out or get the light off most wont even bother hooking it up to the machine

Actually that's all they do is test the gas cap and hook up to the computer. THey do it for everyone.

I did have the light reset after I got the gas cap replaced but it came back on shortly thereafter. I thought I could just have them reset the light and then quickly go get it tested and maybe then it wouldn't show the error but wasn't sure if that would work. heh heh.

 

[acemcmac]

Depends on the state. In PA, they don't even put anything up your tailpipe... the whole test is done on your OBD2 port.

Get it fixed man.... even clearing the light will result in "not ready" monitor states, which will only go to "check engine" eventually. It's almost impossible to get the OBD2 computer to reset to a clean state once you get a light until you fix the problem (in my experience)

 

[lightpants]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
I have to take my car in for emissions testing and I know it's going to fail because my "Check Engine" light is on. I took my car to Advanced Auto Part and they used their machine to hook up to the car and read the codes. Of course all they could tell me what that it was some minor leak in the emissions or exhaust. THey suggested a new gas cap which I bought and it didn't help.

So my question, if I go in for the testing, will the Emissions Control people be able to print out someting more specific about what might be wrong or will they just tell me something generic as well so I shoudln't bother even taking it in and would have to go to a mechanic instead?

Anyone know?

Thanks.

Take it to a garage that has a smoke tester to have the leak found and repaired.
It saves a lot of time and should save you some money.