HELP WITH INSPECTION ? ASAP

jimdrechsler · May 28, 2007

This is NOT about my mustang, but this site is so knowledgeable and has answered ?'s about my other vehicles, I thought I would ask this. I have an Altima that the service engine light is on. It used to go off and on each tank. Now it is stuck on of course the month the inspection is due. I know it is an EVAP code. Anyway, I can take it to a guy that said he can reset the computer and it will go off. He doesn't know for how long though. Will the NYS inspection pick up the code that was in there and fail still? OR, do you think I can get it passed this way?

Thanks,

Jim

HISSIN50 · May 28, 2007

Jim, it sounds like an OBD-II car, and the most likely culprit is a gas cap.

It'd be best to actually fix the issue. IIRC, they can see what codes have been stored within the last 80 starts or so, but I dont see how that would keep you from passing. If you take a car in for service, they fix it and clear the code but the code history remains in the KAM.

Good luck.

88mouse · May 28, 2007

If its and EVAP code get a cigar and take off one of the vac. lines and blow the cigar smoke in it. The smoke will come out where ever a hole is. And that is your probablem. Do it all the time at the shop. Or is could be like Hissin said and be a gas cap. Did they give you the number on the code? ex. p0101

jimdrechsler · May 28, 2007

Im sorry I forgot to mention that I did change gas caps with another nissan vehicle. The light would go off and on every tankful. Now it is just stuck on. The codes are as follows:

P0440
EVAP Emission
Control System
Malfunction

DTC Pending (codes)
No Faults Detected

someone said it was vapors from gas tank.

anyway, i didnt think it would pass emissions if the light was on. i thought it needed to be dealt with and fixed before passing? so it would be pointless to have the guy clear the computer before i go you think?

thanks,
this site is awesome!

not sure about the cigar smoke trick. ill have to ask my guy who works on my cars about that.

90_Red_LX · May 28, 2007

If you reset the computer, more than likely it will reject from all the sensors throwing not ready codes, which basically means that the car hasn't been driven long enough to be sure your sensors are working properly. Some of your evap codes though can be defeated with good timing. Reset the computer, and drive it for about 50-100 miles before the light comes back on and have it inspected. If the ready codes are set and your light hasnt come on yet, you can probably get by. Did that code indicate a leak in the evap system, or just a malfunction? We had several where we had to repair a leak in the system.

jimdrechsler · May 28, 2007

90_Red_LX said:
If you reset the computer, more than likely it will reject from all the sensors throwing not ready codes, which basically means that the car hasn't been driven long enough to be sure your sensors are working properly. Some of your evap codes though can be defeated with good timing. Reset the computer, and drive it for about 50-100 miles before the light comes back on and have it inspected. If the ready codes are set and your light hasnt come on yet, you can probably get by. Did that code indicate a leak in the evap system, or just a malfunction? We had several where we had to repair a leak in the system.

All I know is what I mentioned in the prior post as far as codes are concerned. Is there a way I can reset the computer? Or would I have to go to that guy that said he could do it for me? I dont want the guy ripping off the inspection sticker then having to pay a few hundred dollars to get this damn thing fixed! Can cars pass with the service engine light on? I didn't think they could.

jim

ps o2 sensor maybe?

90_Red_LX · May 28, 2007

No, a car can't pass inspection at least here in nc with a ses light on. I'm sure most obdII tests are the same. I doubt the o2 would play a role in the evap test. You can have advance auto pull and clear the codes for free, or I'm sure you can disconnect the battery terminals for a while and it will reset then. However, it resets everything, including your ready codes.

As far as ripping the sticker off, unless they are some sort of dumbass, your not suppossed to touch the old sticker until the car has passed. So you should be safe there.

First thing I would do would be to try and reset the computer, drive it for 50-100 miles, and be at an inspection station in that frame of time and see if it will go through, if the ses light doesn't come back on first. If your unsure about them ripping the sticker off, let them know not to until it has passed.

EDIT: Also, I wouldn't keep starting the car up a lot, as when you turn the ignition on, the evap system goes into a slight vaccuum to check itself. So I reccommend minimizing that. If you can try to reset the computer, start the car, drive it around then to the station, and let them pull it in without shutting the car off. Then they will shut it off and start it up when the obdII part rolls around.

If anyone else can enlighten or straighten what I said out feel free. While I have some experience in the area, I'm still fairly new, so I'm basing it off what little I have learned thus far.

jimdrechsler · May 28, 2007

the codes that i posted before were from advanced auto.

i think i will go tomorrow and have him reset it. ill drive it to the shop to have it inspected and drop it off. ill try and drive at least 50 miles before doing so though! i hope it works. i dont have money to fix something that doesnt affect the way it runs/drives!

thanks for the help!

90_Red_LX · May 28, 2007

I won't say that it will work, as it hasn't worked all the time, but theres a possibility. My guess is the evap has a leak in a hose though, and I would probably look into getting it fixed. Shouldn't cost you much, unless theres something major wrong with the evap. Here in NC if your having problems though, and you can't afford it at the time, the dmv will work with you and give you a waiver, just most people don't know that.

MustangMatt1966 · May 28, 2007

move to florida where there are no inspections I run open headers all day long haha although i do have a 1966 so they cant do anything about it anyways

Mustang5L5 · May 28, 2007

Is it the gas cap???

jballa · May 29, 2007

vaccum check

To check for a vaccum leak, (instead of putting that tasty hose to your lips) I've used an UNLIT propane torch to locate them... just leave at idle and slowly wisk the UNLIT torch around until the engine sputters or chokes.

Remember, propane is highly flammable.

jimdrechsler · May 29, 2007

well here is what is going to happen. i went to the guy who said he could clear it for me and he took his damn dog to the vet. so he couldnt do it!
i decided to drive to advance auto and trick the guy into resetting the computer. i told him i wanted to see what the code said again. after he did it i told him that i just had it fixed a week ago and the guy told me to get it reset and it should stay off. anyway, the kid was cool and did it in 2 seconds.

im having my brother take it tomorrow to a guy that scrapes the sticker off and plasters one on there without looking at anything. i HOPE the computer is able to read though. we'll see! 40 bux for instant sticker IF it works!

jimdrechsler · May 30, 2007

BINGO-- hooked up to compute and read fine. New sticker in 5 minutes.

thanks for help. i still dont know whats going on with it, but the light is still off after 60 miles! i dont care for another year i guess! now i know what to do, and the rest of you

90_Red_LX · May 30, 2007

Thats a good thing lol. EVAP is one funky ass system in my opinion. From my experience its the #1 cause of failures during inspection.

HELP WITH INSPECTION ? ASAP

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