The smog pump on your 2001 Pontiac Aztek injects fresh air into the exhaust manifold and catalytic converter during cold engine startups in order to speed up the catalyst operation. It is an important emissions component, and your Pontiac Aztek can not pass the smog check without one,or with a defective smog pump. The smog pump in technical terms is referred to as the air injection pump; part of the air injection system.
A disconnected or defective air injection pump should illuminate your Pontiac Aztek's Malfunction Indicator Lamp.
