The monitors not being ready on your 2003 Toyota Tacoma can indicate a few
things. For one your Tacoma's battery could have been recently replaced or
was dead and your jump started or replaced it; this cleared the emissions
computer's readiness flags and reset all the monitors. You'll need to drive
your Toyota Tacoma for 2 to 3 weeks (or approx 100 miles with several start
stop and cool down periods) in order to reset all the monitors. This is the
most common problem when a vehicle doesn't pass the smog check for monitors
not set, yet the check engine light is not on.
A second reason your Toyota Tacoma EVAP and Catalyst monitors might not be
setting is due to an emissions component fault. Somewhere within the EVAP
and Catalytic Converter system there is a fault not allowing the monitors,
also known as readiness flags, to set. More then likely however if there was
something wrong with your Toyota Tacoma's emissions components your truck's
check engine light would be "on" as well. We seem to think your truck has
had a battery problem recently. If we're correct, just continue driving your
Toyota for a week or two and then get a smog inspection retest.
By the way... Monitors are internal self-check systems built into your
Toyota's engine control computer.
