It is once again time for the annual inspection. Last year my car was tailpipe tested even though it is a '96 and it was 2003. I questioned the tech and he said he only does what comes up on the computer screen for tests. After letting my car sit for over an hour, it failed the computer plugin test for emissions-related and he had to put it on the dyno at which he then told me it just passed and that my O2 sensors may be dying. I think it would have passed w/o an issue if he had done the inspection while the car was still warm. Will my car have to pass emissions again this year '04? Outside of letting it run at idle to keep it warm until tested, any other suggestions? Anyone know of any good places in W.Mass for inspections? if those "good" ones are even around in light of the new testing procedures...

-Jeff

 

depends if you took the car of the road then you will have to get a sniffer again but if you didnt then its just safety.

 

Anytime you turn in the plates and reregister it you will have to go thru a full emissions/safety inspection. And if you fail the plug in portion now on OBDII cars you fail the test, there is no longer a dyno second chance. Be sure to drive it for at least a week before trying the test if you've had the battery disconnected, surest way to fail is either do that or clear the codes just before.

 

The car is registered year round, stripped the insurance a few years back, but hated the fact that it technically could not be driven, I only kept the basic insurance on it should something happen, I now run custom vanity plates. I have only driven the car +/-100 miles this year, my work scheduke & weather has not cooperated to my liking. So, with that my concerns of the emissions testing have elevated, well that, and the tech telling me that my O2s may be dying. Oh, and it is on a battery tender 24/7, so that way my battery is always to charged.

 

What are you talking about? I just had mine inspected in may and i failed the obd II cause one of my electric fans is dyeing..so they put me on the sniffer and i passed with flying colors. And if you dissconnect the battery its only good for about 15 mins...before the car scans everything...or about 2 turns of the key. Believe me i have tried..lol

 

I think they just changed to no second chance if you fail obd2. The problem with disconnecting a battery or erasing codes is they delete the monitors that the obd2 test checks to see if they have been run which will cause it to fail.

 

Yes they did. As of last month, the second chance went away. It actually screwed up a few that had gotten rejections due to the stations with the Bear machines. Those people had to go to other stations to get their free reinspection. Was actually a pia, luckily there aren't many near us that needed that done.

 

I've disconnected my battery several times and all of the tests still show as complete in Autotap.

 

Try that the day of the plug in test and you'll see for yourself. We see it constantly when vehicle gets towed in with dead battery and sticker due/expired. Funny how those always fail the plug in test.