Forum Discussion

PCarnathan's avatar
PCarnathan
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014

Smog Check Experience

We have a 1999 Roadtrek 190 Popular on the Dodge chassis. Last week I discovered that I'd foolishly allowed the fluid in the chassis battery to drop way down and the battery was dead. Real dead. I topped off the fluid with distilled water and charged the battery back up again. This morning I went to have the van smog checked and it failed. Not because of any emissions problems, but because the onboard computer had reset as a result of the dead battery. After the onboard computer has been reset, either by a dead battery or by use of a OBD-II reader, the vehicle must be driven 40-50 miles before the California smog testing machine can read all the data. Also, the gas tank must be between 1/4 and 3/4 full.

I didn't know any of this stuff and I've been having vehicles smogged in California for decades. I thought I'd pass along this little tidbit in the hopes of helping someone else.

Pat in Menifee, CA
www.patcarnathan.com
Class B
  • dreed's avatar
    dreed
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2014
    I have one of those 9v adapters that plug into the cig lighter. I bought it to keep my radio stations memory alive on the car radio and Sirius radio. I didn't think about it keeping the ability to do a possible smog check. When you use it make sure your dome lights are off or it will drain that 9 volt battery fast.
    Dave 04 Excel TD
  • senf's avatar
    senf
    Explorer
    Sep 04, 2014
    I was in an auto supply store (Canadian Tire) that had a kit for about 25 dollars. This kit consisted of a plug for the cigarette lighter connected to a plug for the OBD-II reader. The instructions told you how to save your vehicle settings should you replace your battery or have to disconnect it.

    I haven't tried one of these devices, so other than the above I cannot comment.
  • dreed's avatar
    dreed
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2014
    Good to know kind of stuff. Thanks.
    Dave 04 P/W Excel TD
  • spacedoutbob's avatar
    spacedoutbob
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2014
    That only holds true if your vehicle has OBD-II or newer. Generally 1996 model year vehicles or newer. However, on heavy duty vehicles it can be 1997, 1998 or newer. You have to run a drive cycle in order to run all the monitors. I know, I have had a Smog License in California for 37 years.

    Bob in Calif.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Sep 02, 2014
    I hear ya!

    I had my Tahoe in storage. I drove 2,000 miles to go back to take it to have my emissions test done on it. My trip back was planned and I only had X amount of days to do it.

    I pulled it out of storage and put a new battery in it and drove to the DMV.......it failed because of changing the battery which wipes the computer out. As will any type of engine repair. :R

    They did give me a temp plate and said: "just drive it around. Going back and forth to work on the interstatefor a 'week' should re-set it. :S
    Explained I was retired and in a MH and could not do that,to no avail.

    Some will reset within a couple of days and some don't. When I went back for my toad emissions I had to replace the o2 sensors and when I took it back it wouldn't pass either. They said to drive it around. :R:R

    I had to leave my toad up North with my mechanic and told him to drive it back and forth to work, I'd pay for the gas. It took 10 days of driving to reset the computer.

About Motorhome Group

38,706 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 20, 2025