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Failed Smog Test
 

1999 Chevy S10 Not Reading Any Codes

I went the first time and my truck failed the smog check. I had put a new battery a few months ago. They said drive the car a lot. I put 300 miles on it and brought it back, and it still failed. They said drive it more so I did. I took it back again after 2 weeks of driving and still it failed. The smog machine won't read any codes. I think the smog tech said the monitors are not complete. So far I have taken it 3 times and not passed. I'm at a loss what to do. Thank you Danny.


Answer:  

Replacing the battery (disconnecting the battery) will cause the emission monitors (readiness flags) to reset; requiring the completion of a Drive Cycle in order to make the monitors COMPLETE or READY again. We can only suggest following the Chevy S10 drive cycle, indicated below, as closely as possible. If after several attempts the emission monitors are still not complete, you'll need have a smog check repair station look into if and why the required monitors are either not running or failing to set.

How to Perform a General Motors Chevy S-10 Drive Cycle

The following is a General Motors Drive Cycle Pattern which should allow your vehicle to complete all its emission monitors. Be sure to obey all traffic laws while performing drive cycles. Perform acceleration steps only on highways. If you feel you may be unable to perform the drive cycle safely, seek assistance from a Chevy dealership service center.

COLD START: Begin from Cold Start, and ignition in OFF position for at least 1 hour. Insure fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full. Engine coolant temperature must be below 122°F and within 11°F of the ambient air temperature. Do not leave the key on prior to the cold start or the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic may not run.

IDLE TIME: Run engine (do not drive) for 2 1/2 minutes with the air conditioner on and rear defroster on. During this period the ECU will be running the Oxygen Sensor Heater self-test, Air Injection System Passive Air test, EVAP Purge "No Flow" test, Misfire Detection.

ACCELERATE: Turn off the air conditioner and rear defroster and begin driving. As soon as possible apply half throttle until 55mph is reached. The ECU will now run self-tests on the Misfire Detection, Fuel Trim, and EVAP Purge Flow.

HOLD STEADY: Now hold your speed steady at 55mph for three minutes. During this time the Oxygen Sensor O2 response, Air Intrusive (AIS System), EGR Flow, Purge Valve, Misfire Detection, and Fuel Trim diagnostics will be performed.

DECELERATE: During this step you want to slowly let off the accelerator pedal. Do not brake or shift in order to slow down (don't press the clutch if equipped). It is important to let the vehicle coast along gradually slowing down to 20 mph. The ECU will once again self-test the EGR System, EVAP Purge System and Long Term Fuel Trims.

ACCELERATE: Go ahead and accelerate again at 3/4 throttle until 55-60mph is reached. This will perform the same self tests as during the first acceleration step.

HOLD STEADY: Hold steady speed once again. This time at 55mph for five minutes. During this time, in addition to running the self-tests as during the first HOLD STEADY step, the ECU will perform the catalyst monitor diagnostics. If the catalyst (Catalytic Converter) is marginal or the battery has been disconnected, it may take 5 complete driving cycles to determine the state of the catalyst,or in order to Complete the CAT Monitor.

DECELERATE: This will perform the same diagnostics as in the first Deceleration. Remember not to press the brakes or shift gears (don't press the clutch if equipped).

How to Complete Individual Monitors

Catalyst Monitor (CAT): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Intake Air Temperature (IAT) above 32 Degrees (F), Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is above 167 Degrees (F); Mass Air Flow sensor is indicating greater than 15 gm/s, engine load is below 63% and steady, engine speed is below 3000 RPM. 

1. Idle vehicle 5 minutes (achieve closed loop) 

2. Drive 5 min at steady speed above 55 mph 

3. Drive 2 min at steady 40 mph 

4. Drive 2 min at steady 55 mph 

EGR Monitor (EGR): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is above 75 Degrees (F); barometric pressure (BARO) above 72kPa.

1. Idle vehicle 5 minutes (achieve closed loop) 

2. Accelerate and drive for 1 min at steady speed above 50 mph 

3. Slow vehicle down to 20 mph. Do not use brake clutch, or shift gears. 

4. Repeat steps two and three 5 times. 

GM and Chevy run their EGR monitor during the deceleration portion of the drive cycle. 

Evaporative Monitor (EVAP): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Fuel tank between 1/4 and 3/4 full.

1. Drive 5 min at steady speed between 30 and 60 mph 

2. Stop vehicle and idle engine for 4 minutes.

3. Turn engine off. Remove ignition key.

The ECU will run the EVAP Monitor once the engine has been shut down and ignition turned off.

O2 Sensor Monitor (O2): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Intake Air Temperature (IAT) above 32 Degrees (F); Engine Control Temperature (ECT) is above 167 Degrees (F)

1. Idle vehicle 4 minutes (achieve closed loop) 

2. Drive 3 min at steady speed above 50 mph 

3. Drive 2 min at steady 40 mph 

4. Drive 2 min at steady 50 mph


posted by SmogTips Support
 


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