I got a notice in the mail that my car is overdue for an emissions control inspection and that if I don't have it done by the 1st, it's a $250 fine. My car has LOTS of issues, most pressing of which are a blown radiator and head gasket, among several other things. I knew all kinds of codes would be set that I didnt want to be present when I had it inspected, so before I went I disconnected the battery. What I didn't know is that you have to drive it 80 miles to reset the codes before diagnostics can even read it, so I failed the inspection yesterday because the car wasn't "ready." The problem is, my car won't make it 80 miles in its current condition, I've got it parked until I swap out the radiator...which means I wont be able to reset the computer.

So I was talking to my inspection guy and he was real cool and told me that if I hooked him up, he'd hook me up with a "passed inspection." My question is this: can he give me a passed inspection, or does the computer have to pass it? I'm trying to figure out if he's bullshitting me. I know that when you run diagnostics on a car, all the information is fed to a computer...does he have any control over what information is sent to the DMV? Can he "give" me a passed inspection, including emissions control?

My next (less important) question is if anyone knows where I can find a cheap radiator for my car. I can get one from Auto Zone for $150, but I'd prefer not to because of their part quality and the fact that I found it on Ebay shipped for $120. Anyone know of any salvage yards around here that could pull me a radiator? I also need an alternator, I can hear the bearings whining on my current one, as well as some flickering interior lighting/electronics.. I figure it's on its last legs.

The car is a '97 Saturn SL-1 SOHC 1.9L 5-speed

Thanks everyone

10/29/2005 11:58:46 AM

okay, summary:

Can an inspector pass me on everying, including emissions, or do I actually have to pass as far as the computer is concerned when diagnostics are run?

10/29/2005 12:16:38 PM

The emissions test is fully automated and the inspector has no control over what is sent to the DMV.

He can only inspect for brakes, windows, safety etc.

10/29/2005 1:14:21 PM

ha ha saturn!

Quote :

"Can he "give" me a passed inspection, including emissions control?"

maybe. i believe they could connect your shit to a different car of the same model/year. unless all obdII shit is the same, then you could hook it to any car.

look on car-part.com for your parts needs.

cheapest thing to do would be to get a rebuild kit for the alt. if you were handy with tools and had the time.

10/29/2005 1:29:45 PM

^^ yeah, that's what I was thinking. I know he pass/fails 90% of the stuff in an inspection, but I was wondering if he had any control over the emissions numbers sent to the DMV. My emissions should be fine, I just need a passed inspection...which he can't do because of the state of my car. He told me he'd give me a pass as per our deal, but I don't know the guy personally and I dont want to get screwed over.

^ i dont know if hooking it to another car was his plan or what, i don't know. I'm thinking now of just calling the DMV and telling them I'm working on it and try to get an extension. they know i've tried to have it inspected now, so maybe that'll help.

i tried looking on car-part.com a few days ago but i didn't get anything useful, though i didn't spent too much time on it. how much do alt rebuilt kits cost? that sounds like a good option. how reliable are the results? i'm good with tools and working on things like that, the main issue right now is time (i work 60+ hours a week among other things, which is the reason i'm in this mess to begin with...not enough time to get things done). never worked on an alternator before, is it pretty easy to pick up?

10/29/2005 2:32:09 PM

when you fail you get more time to fix it, does that apply to the fine?

10/29/2005 4:01:57 PM

that's what i'm hoping...i'm calling first thing monday to find out

10/29/2005 4:08:33 PM

i have all the awnsers here, but no time right now to give them

there is no reason, and no possible way to inspect a car with a blown head gasket and a bad radiator. stop putting effort into getting an inspection, and call DMV and see what waiver options you have.

10/29/2005 4:37:35 PM

man, if the dude said he'd pass you go for it. i failed bc of my ebrake, and the guy took 20 bux and i had a sticker. done deal. i'd at least try it, as horrible as that sounds, but fix the rad and stuff, too. that's just maintenance. i can help ya out if you need.

10/29/2005 9:05:36 PM

two bottles of Bar's Leaks...

10/29/2005 9:12:07 PM

first of all, on obdII the vin is in your computer, so if it doesnt match the registration, the process will go no farther. the shop i worked at got fined over $300 just for one of the guys accidentally scanning an old registration card in a vehicle from a previous owner and inspecting it with that

10/30/2005 12:12:52 AM

when is it that all this shit stops for obd1 cars?

10/30/2005 12:16:59 AM

my car is obdII.. but basically yeah, that's what the deal was. i give him cash, he gives me a sticker. the only thing i was iffy about is what he could do about emissions control, since that is what the DMV is telling me they need...because it's obdII i don't know how much control he has over what is sent to the DMV and whether he's just BSing me that he can "give" me a pass. i know the car needs to be fixed, i'm not even driving it until i can get my hands on a HG and radiator and install them. what i'm trying to avoid is a $250 fine (and/or a bogus bribe), and i think now my only hope is seeing what kind of extension/waiver the DMV can grant me as optmus said

10/30/2005 1:47:43 AM

Quote :

"when is it that all this shit stops for obd1 cars?"

I heard january.

10/30/2005 1:35:41 AM

^ January it is.

10/30/2005 8:02:23 AM

01/01/06 still gotta pass safety though

10/30/2005 8:41:14 AM

hey...i am sorta in the same boat here. I have to get my YJ inspected by the first of Dec. It won't pass inspection for various reasons, the toughest being emissions. I only wheel it and that is like once every few months, and with the lack of funds and the cold weather coming, I most likely won't be wheeling it anytime soon. Is there anyway that like the DMV or something will waive the fee or would my best bet be to take off the tags and unregister it? I refuse to pay the 250 and don't have the money to get it to pass (not yet at least, unless someone wants a hardtop for their YJ ) any info would be greatly appreciated

10/30/2005 11:54:33 PM

Is it your DD? If it's not, then just drop it off of your insurance and cancel registration. Then Pick it back up after Jan 1st when emissions won't matter (That's assuming it's a 1995 or older).

10/31/2005 11:36:27 AM

yeh i was thinking that. anyone know the cost of registering the vehicle off the top of their head. I know it has to be less then 250, by a long shit, but just was curious. and how exactly do you drop your registration? take the plates to the DMV or what?

oh to answer your question...no it is not my DD

11/1/2005 10:39:59 PM

my bronco cost me 78 dollars i think when i first got it, but that was for taxes, title transfer and a tag, so its not that much, and turn in your tag FIRST tothe dmv, then cancel insurance

11/1/2005 11:23:19 PM

$35


i went and turned in my tag to avoid that fine, 35 bucks is a lot cheaper than the 250 it would have been...now i just need to fix my car. i had a new radiator shipped to me which i'll install tomorrow, but i'm not gonna fuck with the HG on this engine, i dont know enough about it. besides, i dont have a torque wrench at my apartment.

if anyone knows anyone that's good at working on saturn engines and wont charge me out the ass to put in a new HG, let me know. it did overheat a few times and i'm pretty sure it's an aluminum head, so it'd be good if whoever did it could check to make sure it isnt warped and if it is, be able to mill it flat

11/2/2005 11:10:48 AM