and have them reset my system in order to turn off the check engine light (which is on b/c of the bad O2 sensor), will i pass inspection?

I didn't think it would, but i've talked to a few people that said it worked for them. these people aren't really gearheads, however, so i'm reluctant to try it.

6/7/2006 3:05:24 PM

the light has to be off for you to pass

6/7/2006 3:22:59 PM

^ correct, but there's also something to do with timing. You can't just roll into an inspection center hte instant it's turned off.

6/7/2006 3:24:20 PM

Isn't there a time period from after you clear the codes to the point of where the computer diagnostics catches the code again after a running period? Sort of a testing phase...

6/7/2006 3:30:43 PM

I had it checked a few weeks ago and it was reset. The light stays off for a few days (probably 4-5 driving cycles). If I have it reset and wait a day or so, how likely is it to pass?

Will i have to pay the inspection fee if it doesn't pass?

6/7/2006 3:36:06 PM

yeah.. there are "readiness codes" that must be "OK" for you to pass. it takes a certain amount of driving for them to reset. you can't just clear the codes, then roll into the inspection place and pass

[Edited on June 7, 2006 at 3:39 PM. Reason : they typically require a certain amount of driving or ignition cycles.]

6/7/2006 3:39:07 PM

all the system readiness indicators have to be set to pass, after its reset, you have to do a certain amount of city and highway driving, should be in your owners manual. have you ever thought about fixing the problem instead of just resetting the mil?

[Edited on June 7, 2006 at 3:40 PM. Reason : ^ doh, 30 sec too late]

6/7/2006 3:39:39 PM

do the "readiness" codes sync up with the check engine light (i.e. when the system is ready, does the check engine light come one simultaneously?

6/7/2006 3:42:07 PM

Usually it is about 50 miles for the system to reset.
You can't just turn off the light and get inspected. You will be charged $23 for the inspection, and then you will have to go to the same place and pay the last $6.50 once you fix the problem.

6/7/2006 3:42:21 PM

only way to tell if it is ready is with a diagnostic tool, wtf kind of vehicle is it?

6/7/2006 3:45:03 PM

^^^^well, I've had one sensor replaced, but i couldn't get it inspected at the time because the system wasn't ready. Thought i was good, but the light came back on, turns out the one before the intake was bad as well as the one at the cat. Not to mention that I'm a few months out of inspection.

On the plus side i've got documentation that i tried to get it inspected last week but the system wasn't ready.

[Edited on June 7, 2006 at 3:46 PM. Reason : ^^^]

6/7/2006 3:45:41 PM

'01 Ranger

6/7/2006 3:47:00 PM

what code is it setting and what engine is in it?

[Edited on June 7, 2006 at 4:00 PM. Reason : and check your gas cap to make sure its tight and seal correctly, its a ford thing]

6/7/2006 3:57:10 PM

4.0. not sure of the exact code #'s, but i know its the O2 sensor (ive had several different diagnostic checks). when i had the first one replaced, the mechanic said both codes were showing, but some times replacing one resets the other also, and to try that first before changing the other.

6/7/2006 4:07:24 PM

can you replace the sensor with a resistor that gives the right reading?

6/7/2006 4:08:03 PM

if i knew what that meant, maybe.

6/7/2006 4:10:48 PM

after the system has been re-set the code may still be there but the light won't come on for a certain amount of time... as soon as they plug the obdII scanner in they'll know

( i'm assuming its obd II since you have multiple o2 sensors but it could just be a V motor)

6/7/2006 4:10:51 PM

So, from what i'm hearing, it won't work. I guess i'll have to bite the bullet and replace the other one.

6/7/2006 4:21:55 PM

uhm.. if it's an 01, it has obd2...

6/7/2006 4:22:32 PM

yeah i didn't read the whole thread... just making assumptions

[Edited on June 7, 2006 at 4:25 PM. Reason : .]

6/7/2006 4:24:52 PM

get them to pull the code its reading and then i can tell you something, otherwise you might as well go piss uphill

6/7/2006 4:27:16 PM

what will the code tell you? I thought that if O2 sensor x is bad code x is displayed, is there more to it than that?

6/7/2006 4:32:30 PM

yes, there will be a code number ie. P132 or something like that, and no the computer isn't always right, it doesn't know if the sensor is bad, if the wire is melted, if the connector is corroded, or if the god damn exhaust fell off the truck, all it knows is something is wrong with the signal, and any shop that swaps out parts based on a code with no further diagnosis obviously can get enough gullible customers in there that it doesnt matter to them

6/7/2006 4:37:28 PM

http://www.obdii.com/codes.html

these things are much more specific than i thought, i'll go get the exact code later today.

6/7/2006 4:47:58 PM

I know nothing about rangers,

but when I had an O2 sensor Check Engine Light come on, it was actually my intake leaking and Mass Air Flow being dirty.

Also if you go to advance and ask them to reset your computer they'll look at you funny.

[Edited on June 7, 2006 at 5:00 PM. Reason : .]

6/7/2006 4:58:46 PM

i'll be damned, i pulled 132 out of my ass and it was an O2 sensor code, subconcious shit goin on

6/7/2006 5:01:42 PM

if its a 95 or older car who cares leave it on and if its newwer than that by the time the car has gone through enough drive cycles 3-4 or about 150mi the light will come on again so spend the 20 or sobucks and buy the sensor then get it inspected. less trouble in the long run

6/7/2006 5:46:46 PM

I had that light on for a while
It was because I didn't turn the gas cap on all the way

6/7/2006 5:50:43 PM

thats because the system is only there for emissions

it can detect minute leaks in the fuel system

6/7/2006 5:55:33 PM

^ so wrong in so many ways i don't feel like explaining

6/7/2006 5:57:33 PM

^who is wrong?

6/7/2006 6:14:15 PM

obdii covers a hell of a lot more than just emissions

6/7/2006 6:15:38 PM

oh yeah i know i just thought you were talkn bout me

6/7/2006 6:21:38 PM

i know that but that is why the light comes on when you dont close the gas cap all the way

but emissions is the primary function of the system

6/7/2006 6:30:37 PM

it can come on for trans problems and much more

6/7/2006 6:34:08 PM

yeah, cars have had computer for a long time before obd

but the reason it is standardized is because the government wanted to control emissions

so the primary function of obd is emission control

but it is great that the manufacturers have taken it and run with it so that it is all inclusive

6/7/2006 6:36:42 PM

^ a lot of cars cars had much more than the government ever required for emmisions control pre-95 as far as diagnostics go, quit tryin to dig yourself out of a hole

6/7/2006 6:46:37 PM

yeah but the standardization was only for emissions control

if it didnt exist we'd all still be jumping pins to grab codes

im not trying to dig myself out of a hole

6/7/2006 11:53:08 PM

alright, codes are 171 and 174, which are both related to the system being too lean (bank 1 and 2). What do ya think?

6/8/2006 10:24:15 AM

maf, perhaps?

6/8/2006 10:27:47 AM

I have an OBDII reader and can erase the codes for you, but I dont know if that will allow you to pass



[Edited on June 8, 2006 at 10:33 AM. Reason : .]

6/8/2006 10:30:26 AM

Permanently?

6/8/2006 10:31:56 AM

I doubt it, but Ill try

6/8/2006 10:34:01 AM

I just had it reset yesterday, and it came back on this morning.

6/8/2006 10:38:49 AM

vacuum leak, i'd bet my left nut on it, does it idle a little higher than it used to, or do you hear a whistling noise under the hood anwhere?

or on rare occaisions you get those two with a partially plugged fuel filter or water in the gas, but you would notice a performance problem with that



[Edited on June 8, 2006 at 1:14 PM. Reason : what was the fuel trim, O2 count, fuel pressure, and manifold vacuum?]

6/8/2006 1:11:54 PM

I haven't noticed a higher idle, but i haven't really paid attention. how much higher would it idle (after its warm it idles arount 700-800 rpms normally). It does whistle, but its b/c of the intake. not sure about the other stuff, would the obd show that too? is there any non computerized way to check for a vacuum leak?

6/8/2006 1:20:57 PM

get a can of ether and spray it around the hoses and manifold and the engine will pick up if it sucks it in, check your air filter too, a clogged filter will cause the injectors to lean out too much to compensate, this is why the fuel trim numbers are important

6/8/2006 1:28:17 PM

I just cleaned my intake, but i'll try the ether thing. Thx

6/8/2006 1:32:03 PM

^ before or after the problems?

6/8/2006 1:38:10 PM

I changed my oil and cleaned the intake about a month or so before the light came on.

6/8/2006 1:52:18 PM