Smogtips
CHOOSE YOUR CITY OR ZIPCODE:
Within:
SELECT SMOG CHECK TYPE:  

Join the community and post your question. Use our Ask-A-Tech for free now! ASE experts standing by.

Forum > Emissions Component > Question

2006 BMW M3 EVAP and CAT monitors incomplete

I own a 2006 BMW M3, no modifications with 63K miles. I went to get my smog check and the place told me it did not pass with 2 OBDII readiness codes showing. Catalyst Monito and EVAP Monitor. Everything else shows complete. I went to my independent repair shop and they ran diagnositics and found nothing wrong. They said that smog stations usually pass the smog test with 1 or 2 readiness tests showing incomplete, so they don't know why I failed. Any advice for me? Should I go to a different test center?
Answer:

It appears your BMW has not yet completed the EVAP Monitor and the Catalyst Monitor. If your BMW's battery was recently replaced, needed to be charged or disconnected, or if your BMW required the replacement of a fuse(s) which belongs to the emission control computer, more than likely the Emission Monitors (also known as Readiness Flags) were erased and you must drive your BMW through an OBD II Drive Cycle in order to Complete them. During the smog inspection the smog machine will check to ensure the proper Emission Monitors (which are internal self-tests) have passed. You are only allowed one (1) incomplete monitor. The Generic OBD II Drive Cycle below will usually set the necessary emission monitors. This OBDII drive cycle begins with a cold start (coolant temperature below 122 degrees F). We recommend achieving this by letting your BMW cool down overnight, and beginning the drive cycle process the next day. Take extra caution while performing drive cycles on public roadways. Drive cycles can be difficult to follow under normal driving conditions. Begin by: (Make sure you have between 1/4 and 3/4 fuel in the gas tank. The EVAP test will not run while your BMW's gas tank is full or near empty) - Start the engine. Idle the engine in drive for two and a half minutes with the A/C and rear defroster on. - Turn the A/C and rear defrost off, and accelerate to 55 mph at half throttle. - Hold at a steady speed of 55 mph for three minutes. - Decelerate (coast down) to 20 mph without braking or depressing the clutch. - Accelerate back to 55 to 60 mph at ¾ throttle. - Hold at a steady speed of 55 to 60 mph for five minutes. - Decelerate (coast down) to a stop without braking. If all other emissions systems are functioning properly, completing the drive cycle above should set the "readiness flags" required to pass the smog check. It will not hurt to perform the drive cycle 2 or 3 times before the smog inspection. Visiting another smog station will not make a difference if your BMW fails to complete at least one more monitor.

posted by SmogTips Support

 

View SmogTips.com in: Desktop / Mobile