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

Forum > General Smog Check > Question

1997 Buick Century has a bad coolant sensor temperature sensor

Will my Buick pass the smog check if the coolant sensor is bad? My mechanic told me it was bad but I could not afford to replace it at the time.
Answer:

The question is... Is the check engine light on because of the bad coolant sensor? And, are we talking about the coolant temperature sensor or a coolant level sensor? The coolant level sensor will not affect the smog test, but the coolant temperature sensor will. In fact a defective coolant temperature sensor should illuminate the check engine light, or at best, store an OBD II trouble code indicating a bad coolant temp sensor in the engine control computer. Once the smog station attaches the OBD II link from the smog machine to your Buick's OBD II connector the trouble code will be relayed to the smog machine, and your Buick will fail the smog inspection. Ask your mechanic which coolant sensor he determined to be bad, and also how he or she found out. posted by SmogTips Support

Related questions and answers you might find useful:

How Do I Get a Smog Check Waiver? by Margaret

Do I Need a Smog Check This Year? by Joy

Mini Cooper DMV Registration Due in 5 Day Won't Pass Smog by anne

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with K&N Air Filter by David

1995 BMW M3 Gross Polluter High HC & NO @ 15MPH by Jared

View SmogTips.com in: Desktop / Mobile