Catalyst Emissions Test - how long?

[N40GL]

I moved to California and sometime while the MM was in storage the battery died. Since recharging it, I've been driving the MM regularly. All the other Emissions-related tests have completed except the Catalyst test, which still reads "Incomplete" after about 200 miles. I even looked up the Ford emissions driving cycle and drove it, but it doesn't seem to help get the test to finish.

Any ideas?

[martyo]

What tune is in your car Mark?

[RF Overlord]

Mark, don't feel too bad...one time I had to drive my company work van (2001 GMC Safari) for over weeks to get the catalyst monitor to set.

[chief455]

What tune is in your car Mark?
this needs to be answered. Something might be turned off....
In our 5.4 work van, all stock, I just cleared a lean bank 2 code, then followed the Ford drive cycle instructions to the letter, and all monitors were set in a 30 minute drive. Passed emissions today.

[N40GL]

What tune is in your car Mark?

Marty: I've got a tune in it from Dennis.


this needs to be answered. Something might be turned off....
In our 5.4 work van, all stock, I just cleared a lean bank 2 code, then followed the Ford drive cycle instructions to the letter, and all monitors were set in a 30 minute drive. Passed emissions today.

As far as I know, nothing was turned off (except for a couple of things that would have otherwise thrown a CEL). No pending codes, either. All the other tests register as "complete" except the catalyst test.

[martyo]

Marty: I've got a tune in it from Dennis.


Has it been through emissions before or is this a new test as part of your move?

[RacerX]

Marty: I've got a tune in it from Dennis.



As far as I know, nothing was turned off (except for a couple of things that would have otherwise thrown a CEL). No pending codes, either. All the other tests register as "complete" except the catalyst test.

You can't have anything turned off in the tune in Cali even if it did go ready...

[martyo]

You can't have anything turned off in the tune in Cali even if it did go ready...

That was the point I was getting to.

I think his prior tune will not work in CA.

I am not sure his car will pass period in CA without knowing more.

[1stMerc]

Are Kenny Brown cars Cali legal? May be a visual problem as well.

[martyo]

Are Kenny Brown cars Cali legal? May be a visual problem as well.

This was where I was headed....

[chief455]

I don't read he said this is his KB Marauder?
If all other readiness test have complete - EGR, EVAP, etc, Catalysts test will not complete if the rear O2 sensors are off in the tune.
Won't throw a CEL, but the rear O2 / front O2 handshake never happens to satisfy the Catalyst test.

Mark - are your rear O2 sensors in place and wired up?
Can you see data streaming from them while the car is running?
If your front O2 are in and operating, and your rear O2 are off in the tune, - the scan tool will look like this:
O2S11 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1) (between .050- .900v)
O2S21 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 1) 0 (no data)
O2S12 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2) (between .050-.900v)
O2S22 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2) 0 (no data)
that scenario will show O2 readiness, but never allow the Catalyst to be ready.

[RubberCtyRauder]

I don't read he said this is his KB Marauder?
If all other readiness test have complete - EGR, EVAP, etc, Catalysts test will not complete if the rear O2 sensors are off in the tune.
Won't throw a CEL, but the rear O2 / front O2 handshake never happens to satisfy the Catalyst test.

Mark - are your rear O2 sensors in place and wired up?
Can you see data streaming from them while the car is running?
If your front O2 are in and operating, and your rear O2 are off in the tune, - the scan tool will look like this:
O2S11 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1) (between .050- .900v)
O2S21 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 1) 0 (no data)
O2S12 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2) (between .050-.900v)
O2S22 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2) 0 (no data)
that scenario will show O2 readiness, but never allow the Catalyst to be ready.

Geoff..look at his signature...KB car

[chief455]

Geoff..look at his signature...KB car
Mark - my bad, when I read that, it looked like he had 3 cars :alone:

So, that is his only MM, what did KB do that Cali won't allow - non CARB supercharger?

[RubberCtyRauder]

its a vortech car..possible the DR tune has monitor shut off..not sure which vortech unit they used

[chief455]

its a vortech car..possible the DR tune has monitor shut off..not sure which vortech unit they used

I'll bet the DR tune does have them off, from previous threads I've read.
At least if it is an old, non CARB vortech head unit, he can resolve that to pass visual...

[N40GL]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look into this with my monitor tomorrow.

As for testing: There's a CARB plate on the Supercharger, and also a Vortech CARB number for the supercharger kit, and that appears enough to get the technician to test it. The local smog technician called Sacramento and CARB authorized him to go ahead and test it - as soon as the catalyst test completes. Apparently every element must show a complete test cycle.

If anyone can check this for me, I have .mtf and .ll3 files. I don't know which one can be read and is tweakable. Maybe Marty can give me some advice.



I don't read he said this is his KB Marauder?
If all other readiness test have complete - EGR, EVAP, etc, Catalysts test will not complete if the rear O2 sensors are off in the tune.
Won't throw a CEL, but the rear O2 / front O2 handshake never happens to satisfy the Catalyst test.

Mark - are your rear O2 sensors in place and wired up?
Can you see data streaming from them while the car is running?
If your front O2 are in and operating, and your rear O2 are off in the tune, - the scan tool will look like this:
O2S11 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 1) (between .050- .900v)
O2S21 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 1) 0 (no data)
O2S12 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 1 Sensor 2) (between .050-.900v)
O2S22 (Oxygen Sensor Bank 2 Sensor 2) 0 (no data)
that scenario will show O2 readiness, but never allow the Catalyst to be ready.

[chief455]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look into this with my monitor tomorrow.

As for testing: There's a CARB plate on the Supercharger, and also a Vortech CARB number for the supercharger kit, and that appears enough to get the technician to test it. The local smog technician called Sacramento and CARB authorized him to go ahead and test it - as soon as the catalyst test completes. Apparently every element must show a complete test cycle.

If anyone can check this for me, I have .mtf and .ll3 files. I don't know which one can be read and is tweakable. Maybe Marty can give me some advice.

that's great news on them approving you equipment for CARB status.
If all you need to pass is Catalyst ready, period, Marty will be your best bet.
In the above rear O2 sensors turned off reading scenario, in order to have Catalyst ready, all 4 O2 sensors will need to show .050-.900v on your scan tool while running (no '0' readings). That will mean they are at least turned on and fuctioning. Then drive and not throw a CEL, and finally your Catalyst monitor will set.
best of luck, and mine is infant advice compared to what Marty can help you with.

[martyo]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll look into this with my monitor tomorrow.

As for testing: There's a CARB plate on the Supercharger, and also a Vortech CARB number for the supercharger kit, and that appears enough to get the technician to test it. The local smog technician called Sacramento and CARB authorized him to go ahead and test it - as soon as the catalyst test completes. Apparently every element must show a complete test cycle.

If anyone can check this for me, I have .mtf and .ll3 files. I don't know which one can be read and is tweakable. Maybe Marty can give me some advice.

Mark, I am PM'ing you.

Please take a look at it.

[martyo]

Mark, I am PM'ing you.

Please take a look at it.

Mark, I did not realize you emailed me because it went into my junk mail folder. I replied. Take a look.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

If a vehicle is legal in another state, it can be brought into
California legally, You still must pass California Smog using the
manufacturer's original smog setting from the state it came from.
Having parts of the system turned off will fail you.
Usually after about 150 miles, you have enough info gathered by the OBDII
computer to pass Smog.
Right now, I need to put a few miles on my 1995 Mark VIII I just purchased to pass Smog. I replaced the battery when I got it.

[N40GL]

Update: Marty's making me a new file, which I will load and then drive until the tests all come up okay. Stay tuned (pun intended).

[chief455]

Update: Marty's making me a new file, which I will load and then drive until the tests all come up okay. Stay tuned (pun intended).

That's the way you do it....

[N40GL]

I've got to hand it to MartyO - he sure knows his stuff. He sent me the tune Wednesday. I had the car in a local shop to get the rear O2 sensors replaced, since they were inactive so long (and replaced on MartyO's recommendation). The tune went in the car before I drove it home Wednesday. By Thursday night (and two round trips to work) I checked the car and all emissions tests had completed.

And, today, I passed California smog certification. So the Marauder has a new hope! I even got it washed to celebrate. All I have to do now is stand in line at the DMV to get new plates.

So - every single thing people said about MartyO was spot on - he helped me get my issue corrected and I can't thank him enough. Trust him, folks. He does it right.

[martyo]

I've got to hand it to MartyO - he sure knows his stuff. He sent me the tune Wednesday. I had the car in a local shop to get the rear O2 sensors replaced, since they were inactive so long (and replaced on MartyO's recommendation). The tune went in the car before I drove it home Wednesday. By Thursday night (and two round trips to work) I checked the car and all emissions tests had completed.

And, today, I passed California smog certification. So the Marauder has a new hope! I even got it washed to celebrate. All I have to do now is stand in line at the DMV to get new plates.

So - every single thing people said about MartyO was spot on - he helped me get my issue corrected and I can't thank him enough. Trust him, folks. He does it right.

Mark this is excellent news!

[chief455]

That's the way you do it....
this plus

I've got to hand it to MartyO - he sure knows his stuff. He sent me the tune Wednesday. I had the car in a local shop to get the rear O2 sensors replaced, since they were inactive so long (and replaced on MartyO's recommendation). The tune went in the car before I drove it home Wednesday. By Thursday night (and two round trips to work) I checked the car and all emissions tests had completed.

And, today, I passed California smog certification. So the Marauder has a new hope! I even got it washed to celebrate. All I have to do now is stand in line at the DMV to get new plates.

So - every single thing people said about MartyO was spot on - he helped me get my issue corrected and I can't thank him enough. Trust him, folks. He does it right.

^^this = WINNING!!:banana:

[RF Overlord]

Glad you persevered, Mark. :up:

That's a special car and it would have been a shame to have to do something drastic to make it pass in the People's Republic.

Mo's FTW!

[martyo]

This was the ethical conundrum for me - adjust the tune so the piece of history would live on or tell Mark his car was useless in the Republic of California and low ball him on the price.

Needless to say, I'll be in my therapist's couch for hours as a result of what I've done.

[chief455]

This was the ethical conundrum for me - adjust the tune so the piece of history would live on or tell Mark his car was useless in the Republic of California and low ball him on the price.

Needless to say, I'll be in my therapist's couch for hours as a result of what I've done.

Send your therapy bill to Mark, with additional pain & suffering charges.
That should recover anything you missed on the 'low ball' idea :help:
Nobody said it would be easy.....