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Forum > Failed Smog Test > Question

2012 Honda Civic CAT Monitor Not Ready After 500+ Miles of Driving

Hi: I've driven the car/followed the drive cycles, everything - for over 500 miles and the CAT is still not ready (I bought the plug in tester on Amazon as I've been to the smog place 8 times). What else is possible? I contacted the Honda dealership and Honda the manufacturer direct and they said it's not their issue. ??? They said if there is no check engine light on then the is fine CAT and just the emission system not ready - so to keep driving. At this point, I've driven an extra 500+ miles to pass a smog (seems antithetical)...any help offered is appreciated.
Answer:

We must recommend having your vehicle inspected by either a Honda dealer repair center or reputable smog check test and repair center. Each of your vehicle's emission monitors have strict input parameters which must be met before the emission monitor test is initiated. For example, if the your Civic's engine never achieves closed-loop, the Catalyst monitor will not run. Or, should the ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor indicate an irregular engine temperature, the air injection monitor may not initiate. It's possible that neither of these two conditions trigger the check engine light to turn on, but they will stop the drive cycle from making the required monitors ready. This is what the dealership apparently failed to mention.

Having an auto repair shop attempt to complete the drive cycle in-house will allow them to monitor all system parameters while the drive cycle is in progress. They can pinpoint what may be causing your Honda Civic's emission monitors to not set.

posted by SmogTips Support

 

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