GM OBD2 Question...

[BadSax]

Hello everyone,

So Amanda's deathmobile, I mean car, is a 2001 Olds Aurora 4.0 V8...

I've been trying to get a inspection sticker for it, and I can't manage to make all the OBD2 whatevers read "ready"...

The one that has been giving me the most trouble is "catalyst"...

So, I'm not sure what that is, and how to make the computer decide that it has checked it, and that it is good to go...

Any thoughts?

Thanks you! -J

 

[DLF]

Is there a CEL? The "catalyst" is likely an O2 sensor or cat issue.

 

[beerdog]

Could be bad O2 sensors after teh CAT, a bad CAT, or some type of communication errors. Have they always shown up as not ready? That is how my O2's that are turned off in my tune show up on my emmisions test report.

 

[BadSax]

No Check Engine Lights...

There are separate categories,
O2 - Hot O2 - Evap - Secondary Air - Catalyst - etc

I know there is a 'drive cycle' that supposed to give the car a chance to check all of these...

It doesn't seem to matter how much driving I do... I can't get that one to ready itself...

 

[steve]

If it is like NJ I heard you can pass with a code or two. Also not all functions are available on all cars.

 

[DLF]

Have you tried pulling codes?

 

[driller]

Have you tried pulling codes?

Have you disconnected the battery and turned on the headlamps for a few seconds? The GM guys I know of do this routine to 'reset' the PCM and clear any nagging codes.

 

[tixer]

I know where she can get a smokin' deal on a Silver Frost LSC that would fix that problem once and for all.

 

[budpytko]

Hey Mike - Shhhhhh!! I don't want my rust free LSC taken up to the rusty north!!!

 

[tixer]

which is exactly why I am resisting buying it myself. For some reason I can come to terms with a Town Car getting rusty, but not a Mark...

 

[BadSax]

If it is like NJ I heard you can pass with a code or two. Also not all functions are available on all cars.

There are no codes... the system just has to read "ready" for all categories before they will be able to test it...

Have you tried pulling codes?

No codes...

Have you disconnected the battery and turned on the headlamps for a few seconds? The GM guys I know of do this routine to 'reset' the PCM and clear any nagging codes.

My next step may be lighting the car on fire...

I know where she can get a smokin' deal on a Silver Frost LSC that would fix that problem once and for all.

If it had a sunroof (and possibly heated seats) I would have immediately made you an offer when you said you were selling it...

No hole in the roof is a deal breaker for Amanda...

Hey Mike - Shhhhhh!! I don't want my rust free LSC taken up to the rusty north!!!

"Amanda" is what you should fear... it would be a miracle if the car survives long enough for 'rust' to be an issue...

 

[DLF]

There are no codes... the system just has to read "ready" for all categories before they will be able to test it...

No codes...

Joe, Do you mean that the check engine light isn't on, or have you actually checked for codes with a reader?

If you really don't have any codes, and the readiness test simply doesn't complete, either the PCM is bad, or you just need to drive it some more.

Might be time to take it to a GM dealer.

 

[Mad1stGen]

I like the exhaust tips on Auroras if you decide to part it out.

 

[BadSax]

Joe, Do you mean that the check engine light isn't on, or have you actually checked for codes with a reader?

If you really don't have any codes, and the readiness test simply doesn't complete, either the PCM is bad, or you just need to drive it some more.

Might be time to take it to a GM dealer.

The tester says no codes, and I guess I could be driving it more...

It already got a new PCM... I'm pretty sure the local Buick dealer would light it on fire for me if I brought it back there again...

Is there any set of driving to make this ready? I've read that I need to drive the car at 50... at 65, for 3 minutes or 5 minutes, there has to be deceleration to 20, without touching the brake (try doing that on the highway...), all sorts of crazy driving things...

I like the exhaust tips on Auroras if you decide to part it out.

I'll make sure I take them off before the fire...

 

[izackary]

65? On Nantucket I had to bring a Dodge work van in for an inspection and it failed for the same reason since it was recently worked on and had codes cleared after it had been parked a couple months. To "ready" it, I didn't have to do much crazy driving. Besides, try getting away with driving 65 out there! A fill-up or two later it was ready enough and passed...

 

[tixer]

Joe: it's nothing a road trip to Michigan and a couple of runs down the track won't fix.

 

[BadSax]

Joe: it's nothing a road trip to Michigan and a couple of runs down the track won't fix.

The grey car is making that pilgrimage in the hope that we'll be able to figure out why it's missing when idling...

For the record I've had the Aurora up to 110 a few times, trying to get it to decide that it's "ready"...

 

[sleeper]

Funny, my dad's aurora hit the limiter at 110. His was a lease though.

I would like to gloat - I am glad I live in a state with no inspections. F emissions controls!

It's not a code issue, you just have to do more driving. I have never had to worry about it, but you should be able to google to see what you need to do specifically to get the readiness codes to set.

When in doubt, beat the hell out of it.