Failed emissions due to reset check engine light

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Some tests are continuous and some are non-continuous. Continuous tests run all the time and non-continuous run only when some of the enabling criteria are met.

If you see bunch of test starting as incomplete every time you restart the car, then you have electrical issue. Possibly fuse providing keep alive memory to the ECU is blown.

This is going to be even more fun to debug that the original issue :-(
Great...I checked all fuses that are in the engine compartment that are related to engine power and none are blown. There are some in the driver side under the steering wheel but can't reach them.

Buut not all of the the tests reset. If it was a memory issue with a fuse blown wouldn't it wipe out all tests each time? 3 are complete after engine shut off and on, and one completes a few seconds after the car has been on that's the o2 heater.
 
Last edited:

sontakke

Senior member
Aug 8, 2001
895
11
81
which ones are still incomplete after car has been running for at least couple of minutes? usually CAT, EGR, EVAP are the three which may take multiple drive cycles before they complete. Of course, if you have pending code, then some of them will not be even tried.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
which ones are still incomplete after car has been running for at least couple of minutes? usually CAT, EGR, EVAP are the three which may take multiple drive cycles before they complete. Of course, if you have pending code, then some of them will not be even tried.
Went out to the car during my lunch break and turned it on. Evap was complete since I have less than half a tank.

Cat, o2, and egr were incomplete.

Still no check engine light but yesterday I had the same pending code that I took the car in for repairs. It went away after driving a bit but today I see it logged as pending again.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Do you live in the rust belt? How corroded are your battery terminals?
I haven't checked the battery terminals in some time. Minimal to no corrosion from what I remember . I had the battery replaced last July or August. As long as the check engine light does not come back on I'll be happy. I'm still hoping I need to drive it more than 50 miles.

Tests were complete when I arrived at work this morning. All fuses look new too so I'm not sure..I've read threads on some cars resetting the keep alive memory when turning off the engine.

I'll post a pic of the I/M monitors when I get out of work so that way you can tell that the ecu isn't resetting completely everything.

Here is a pic of the monitors after starting the car. Evap system took about a minute to be complete, same as o2 sensor heater.

3c26251918822095e1f1919301a212c7.jpg
 
Last edited:

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Well what do you know the check engine light is back on..throwing the same code. This car is going to make me go broke it seems.

Was planning on getting a new laptop because I found a great deal but I don't think its a good idea now not knowing how much this will cost me first.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
Check the wiring to the sensor. Make sure it's all in good shape, not rubbed through or pinched anywhere, and make sure any connectors are clean and making good contact.

Also check for an exhaust leak before the sensor.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
I'm back at the shop now..been here since 8am they said they have to look at it some more. They thought I was back to get reinspected until I told them the same code came up with the check engine light.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
The shop told me to take it to the dealership to get the computer reflashed because they don't have the tool from Mitsubishi to do that. Shop said there is a TSB out there for a stored code in the computer.

Went to the dealer and they said the car didn't have any TSB like that for my car that they knew of. They did find a recall on a drive belt to be replaced so they did that for me for free.

The check engine light went off by itself by the time I got to the dealer and they diagnosed it themselves and told me that there is a past code in there and not a current code. They gave me my inspection stickers and did alignment as well.

10 min after leaving the dealership the light came back on. I'm going to file a dispute with the credit card for the first shop to try and get my money back.
 

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
From that screenshot, it looks like the after the cat O2 sensor is bad ... or maybe the cat converter itself is actually bad.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
From that screenshot, it looks like the after the cat O2 sensor is bad ... or maybe the cat converter itself is actually bad.
Those take a while to complete. Usually after driving on the highway.
 

Subyman

Moderator <br> VC&G Forum
Mar 18, 2005
7,876
32
86
Did you check into replacing it yourself? I replaced a few on my Subaru several years ago and it was as easy as unscrewing it and screwing in the new one. Took no more than 20 minutes. Most of that was jacking the car up.

I'd feel kind of bad doing a charge back on the shop. Most of the cost was buying the part from the dealer, so that will be out-of-pocket for them. Maybe give them another shot to make it right?
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Did you check into replacing it yourself? I replaced a few on my Subaru several years ago and it was as easy as unscrewing it and screwing in the new one. Took no more than 20 minutes. Most of that was jacking the car up.

I'd feel kind of bad doing a charge back on the shop. Most of the cost was buying the part from the dealer, so that will be out-of-pocket for them. Maybe give them another shot to make it right?
Yea I took it back to the shop twice and they told me to take it to the dealer to have the computer reprogrammed. Dealer says you don't need to do that for sensors.

Drove away from the dealer and light came back on so I brought it back. They hooked it up and confirmed the shop bought the sensor off of Mitsubishi but they did not give a Vin number. So its possible they got a different sensor.

Dealer recommends replacing the sensor. But they told me to take it back to the shop to tell them that. This is a pain completely and I've already spent an additional $200 at the dealer where the light was not on and they gave me stickers.

Last time I called this shop they hung on me as soon as I told them who I was and why I was calling.
 
Last edited:

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
There is a TSB regarding this specific issue actually. Don't assume the Dealership knows anything about the available TSBs available. Go back to the dealer, ask them to go to their computer system and bring up the list of TSBs available. You'll have to go through the list with them. I've found a lot of dealerships don't like to take the time to read through the list. They love to pretend that TSBs don't really exist or something to that effect. This has been my experience with nearly every dealership so it's not a surprise that happened to you.

But yes, the shop you took your car to DEFINITELY is correct, there is actually a TSB for this issue and the ECU very likely needs to be reprogrammed.

https://www.automd.com/tsb/bulletin_b314204/

You can try to have them look up by that bulletin number but it's possible the bulletin numbers will be different in their system.



Don't do a chargeback with the shop. Yes you kinda got screwed having to replace that sensor but you did in fact replace it and they are in fact right about the TSB.

There are like 3 pages of TSBs for this car:
https://www.automd.com/tsb/mitsubishi_m/lancer_mm/2011_y/?page=3
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Yea I just got back from the dealership and they wouldn't look up the tsb bulletin for the car. They told me they would recommend having the shop replace the sensor again since they didn't give a Vin number when they ordered one.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
Yea I just got back from the dealership and they wouldn't look up the tsb bulletin for the car. They told me they would recommend having the shop replace the sensor again since they didn't give a Vin number when they ordered one.

You either need to be persistent or go somewhere else? Which dealership did you go to? Where are you located? What is your VIN? Are you able to ask the shop or perhaps on the receipt it shows what part # you used with your car?
 
Last edited:

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
You either need to be persistent or go somewhere else? Which dealership did you go to? Where are you located? What is your VIN?
I went to Peruzzi Mitsubishi in levittown, pa. Vin is JA32U8FW2BU007551.

Went back to the shop and had the shop call the dealer about the o2 sensor. They are going to warranty it out and replace it for me. If that doesn't fix it then it could be a gunked up cat but I'd expect bad gas mileage and terrible performance if that was the case but the car drives great.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
I went to Peruzzi Mitsubishi in levittown, pa. Vin is JA32U8FW2BU007551.

Went back to the shop and had the shop call the dealer about the o2 sensor. They are going to warranty it out and replace it for me. If that doesn't fix it then it could be a gunked up cat but I'd expect bad gas mileage and terrible performance if that was the case but the car drives great.

You'll definitely want to find out what part # they used. That way it can be confirmed whether or not that part fits the car. My guess is, the part is perfectly suitable for the car.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
The car has 3 oxygen sensors, possibly because there are two catalytic converters. The car is a "California Emission" vehicle so there is a chance your guys put in a Federal oxygen sensors.... POSSIBLY.

Oxygen sensors are stupid expensive for this vehicle. I'm not entirely sure you would have been alright with going with aftermarket OE.... Gotta get those part #s and figure out where they installed the O2 sensor.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
You'll definitely want to find out what part # they used. That way it can be confirmed whether or not that part fits the car. My guess is, the part is perfectly suitable for the car.
They did have my Vin in the computer and I was there while they talked to the dealer. Perhaps since I just got back from the dealership now they possibly sent the right one this time. I'll have to go back and have it put in another day. I took off work today and have been getting the runaround all day.

I did look at the tsb available for my car. One is for a stored camshaft sensor. Another just states its for troubled codes stored in the computer for a lancer evolution which I do not have.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
Yeah I see that. Well I guess they'll just have to confirm they installed the correct part # and if they didn't, that's your shop's fault and they were being careless.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Yea bank 1 sensor 3 is the most expensive sensor Mitsubishi has for this car. Dealer told me it goes directly into the cat and by looking at the one the shop replaced they could tell it was new but they didn't want to take it out because it could cause issues if I return to the shop to get it redone.

They also told me to have the shop should check inside the cat to make sure its not gunked up.

When the attendant at the shop looked my info up they mentioned bank 1 sensor 1 and I corrected them saying its sensor 3. So that's when they got on the phone with the parts department at the same dealer I was at and explained that I was there and dealer told me the sensor should be replaced.

So I'll wait until I get a call back when they receive it and see if this time will do it. If not, I will probably look into trading the car in. Mitsu wanted to give me 8k for it to trade in today and I owe about 7k on it still but I don't think I'd want another Mitsubishi.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
there is a TSB for ECM reprogramming for this specific issue on your car. Took a LOT more digging to find it.

https://mitsubishitechinfo.com/epacarb/PCMUpdates.pdf
Thanks I spent a lot of time last night looking for that. I downloaded it to my phone. I spent a lot of time on the phone with the stupid dealer telling them about the tsb. Yet they always refuse and say they need to do a diagnostic.

I'll have to call another dealership and bring this document with me. Of course they will probably say if the light is on they have to look at it. Such a pain, I'd rather get rid of the car before its not worth much more.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
Thanks I spent a lot of time last night looking for that. I downloaded it to my phone. I spent a lot of time on the phone with the stupid dealer telling them about the tsb. Yet they always refuse and say they need to do a diagnostic.

I'll have to call another dealership and bring this document with me. Of course they will probably say if the light is on they have to look at it. Such a pain, I'd rather get rid of the car before its not worth much more.

It's possible you can have them fix this under the emission warranty as this is an emission part. Yes sometimes they're stubborn about getting their diagnostic fee in which in that case, ask them if they'll roll the diagnostic fee into the repair if it turns out to be caused by that problem. I don't know why you paid them $200 to give you a smog check.

I believe this vehicle is covered under emissions warranty including the o2 sensor.

They should refund the diagnostic fee if they repair the vehicle under the emissions warranty.
http://static.mitsubishicars.com/pd...ty/2014_pass_car_and_suv_booklet_complete.pdf

At the very least, this ECM reprogramming should be covered by the federal emission warranty.

Had you taken the damn car to the dealership soon as the light came on, EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC FEE.
 
Last edited: