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

Forum > General Smog Check > Question

Check engine light - How long to wait until getting car smogged?

Hey, my car is due for a smog test within 5 days... but the check engine light came on 3 days ago. After investigating with the OBD reader, I found out it was an evap leak which seems to have been fixed by a new gas cap (old car... it happens). The check engine light is now off. However, I've been told that if your check engine light has been on in the last 2 weeks your car will not pass the smog check. I've also been told that I shouldn't reset the system by disconnecting the battery as that will also cause a failure. So... how long after the check engine light is off can I take it in to get a smog test without fear of it failing because of a past light? Or... if I reset things via the battery disconnect method, would that be okay? I just want to get this done ASAP without any fear of wasting money on a smog check where I'll fail for sure even though it actually is fine, and just because the system says there used to be an evap leak.
Answer:

Do not disconnected the battery! It will cause all the emission monitors to clear out. Once that happens you'll need to drive your car through an emissions Drive Cycle (usually takes a few days of driving; around 100 miles or so) to get them to set. Emission monitors are internal self-tests which the emissions computer performs to ensure the engine is running efficiently. Without all the emission monitors "Ready" or "Complete", your car will fail the smog test... and yes, the check engine light will be off, but that won't stop your car from failing. So best bet in this particular case, and since the check engine light turned off by itself, we'd recommend going ahead with the smog check now. The check engine light only turns off when the emissions computer detects that a fault no longer exists. In fact the computer double and sometimes even triple checks the emissions trouble before deciding that in fact the fault is fixed. The light then turns off. The one thing we do recommend though is that once you arrive at the smog station make sure to advise the smog technician that you recently made repairs to your vehicle because the check engine light was on. posted by SmogTips Support

Related Battery Reset questions and answers you might find useful:

2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder Fails Due To Incomplete Emission Monitors by Enid

Can I Get a Smog Check Before Completing a Drive Cycle? by Jerry

How Make Emission Monitors Ready on 2012 Nissan Altima? by Atanu

How To Complete a VW Beetle Drive Cycle? by Linda

How to Complete a 2004 PT Cruiser OBD-II Drive Cycle by John

View SmogTips.com in: Desktop / Mobile