CA Smog...Puzzled

Just replaced the battery in my '99 360 and knew that smogging the car would be an adventure. I researched the FChat forum archives and think I tried everything:

Week 1: Drove the car using the drive cycle instructions, then went to get it smogged. Car passed the tailpipe test but failed the ODBII test with 3 readiness codes not ready. Smog tech advised that I go to a CA referee station.

Week 2: Went to referee station (San Bruno, CA) and smog tech followed the FChat recommendation of running the tailpipe test, then shutting off the engine for 5 seconds before doing the ODBII test. Car still failed the ODBII test. Tech advised me to drive the car some more.

Week 3: Talked to Brian Crall and he suggested driving the car for 100 miles at a steady 70mph before doing smog.

Week 4: I drive the car for 100 miles at 70mph, then straight to the smog shop. Smog tech checks the car, and ODBII shows only 2 readiness codes not ready (O2 Sensor and O2 Sensor Heater).

At this point, I'm getting excited and think it'll finally pass smog. With the car still running (I didn't shut it off after the 100 mile drive), the tech completes the tailpipe test (passed) and then finishes the ODBII test. Everything looks good, but the printed results say I still failed the smog ODBII functional test (Evap system, O2 sensor, and O2 Sensor Heater not ready).

Any ideas on what else I can try? I'm stumped why the car would be allowed to complete the smog test (with seemingly only 2 codes not ready), but then at the end still fail with 3 codes not ready -- all this while the car is running and never shut off.

 

never had a problem using this explicitly....

I based it on Fcar info and added some explanation on what is being accomplished at each step. Likely, if it does not work on your car, you have a problem other than the drive cycle.

Rgds,
Vincenzo
View attachment drive cycle instructions.pdf

 

this is notorious on 99 cars. drive cycle is the problem. i would get a OBD2 scanner that can show you smog readiness. this way, you can continue to drive it and know when it's ready for smog.

 

Agree, for my Porsche 993 I have to monitor the readiness status before I go for emission testing.
Try getting a Autel OBDII tester for est $30.

 

I was talking to Henry at Ferrari of SV today

They send 99 ecus back to Ferrari NA to get the software changed to help activate the sensors, give him a call

 

What is Ferrari of SV ? I failed the test 5 times today, my evap monitor goes on/off, on for a few seconds and then off and it caused me to fail. The guy kept trying to "time it" but after 5 tries gave up. I then drove 100 miles to Auto Gallery (my local Ferrari dealer) and they plugged the car in, found nothing wrong but 3 monitors are off. Suggested I drive it some more, I have already driven the car about 800 miles since the battery was disconnect by the previous owner, I would have thought that would have taken care of everything.

I will try the drive cycle EXACTLY in the morning and I purchased a ODBII reader on the way home, put 200 miles total on the car today and still have 3 monitors not reset. Should I disconnect my battery before the drive cycle ?

 

FoSV = Ferrari of Silicon Valley (NorCal Bay Area)
Henry = Henry Escano

 

Thank You, I was trying to think of someplace South with SV...duh...NORTH

 

Call the Gov's office and ask who driving hundreds of miles, producing lots of evil emissions to pass an emissions test makes any sense. Then ask them for plan B.

 

Can you say referee station.

 

Have a appt. with the referee on Thursday morning.



Now daily driving the car in hopes of getting it to pass and plan B is driving it up to Ferrari of SV to reflash the ECU, actually that is plan C, plan B is to take to my dealer and have them talk to Ferrari of SV on what and how to do it.

I really hope the referee passes it

 

Please keep us posted, I just got a 1999 360 that had several failed smogs on the carfax. I figured it passed sooner or later since titles were issued, but I anticipate a probem if I have to smog it. But im a car dealer and I wont have to until I retail it. I can always wholesale it out of state.

Does anyone know if Cavallos in San Diego are good for smogs like this?