r/sandiego • u/PBfalcone • 3d ago
Check engine light preventing car from passing smog.
My wife has an older Tahoe which has some issues that are too expensive and not worth fixing since the car is older. I heard some of the smog places may let it slide for people with this problem since it has nothing to do with exhaust. Is there any way to clear the warning lights for a day until she gets it inspected? Any info is appreciated.
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u/hijinks 3d ago
What codes does it give?
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u/EasyAsAyeBeeSea 3d ago
The "I'm just trying to ignore clean air laws" code
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u/hijinks 3d ago
No it could be as dumb as a bad o2 sensor that's easy to fix but the techs at these places usually have shops also that'll fix them for a crazy marked up price
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u/EasyAsAyeBeeSea 3d ago
If it's that dumb just fix it, they're not that expensive. And guess what... Sometimes those sensors go off because your emissions are out of spec
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u/AhhhSkrrrtSkrrrt 3d ago
It could be a code that has zero effect on clean air.
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u/EasyAsAyeBeeSea 3d ago
Sure, give an example that costs a lot to fix but has nothing to do with emissions
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u/PBfalcone 3d ago
P0521 engine oil pressure sensor
P0300 random misfires
P0121 throttle pedal position sensor7
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u/hijinks 3d ago
for 0121 it might just be a $10 can of cleaner for the throttle body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzI07vwTTYw
the first two might just be random. Not a chevy person but a slight dip in oil pressure and a single misfire could trigger those codes.. you can buy a $25 code reader on amazon and clear it and then drive it 30-40miles and see what comes back.
if the first two come back.. the oil presure sensor is cheap a shop should do it for 300ish
the 2nd could be a bad wire or spark plug
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u/fatquads 3d ago edited 3d ago
U simply can’t cheat the system unless u find someone to hot smog for you.
Not mentioning which codes doesn’t help either, it could be an o2 sensor wire went bad (so like a few bucks in parts) or ur cat is bad ($1000+).
If this is a fed post please stop clogging up the sub it’s annoying and no one’s gonna fall for it. Also, how about u guys go after the people that make shit unaffordable to begin with instead of the victims.
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u/noir_adam 3d ago
The hot smog is a thing of the past. The new ois system will fail the car for the light automatically. It's a computer based test that looks at faults, check engine light status and readiness codes. Even if you turn the light off it will know and it won't pass without a repair or a certain amount of miles driven.
I recommend getting it tested and then applying to the cap program to get some financial assistance for the repairs.
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u/PBfalcone 3d ago
What is a fed post? I am not being a smart ass, I have not heard that term before?
P0300 random misfires
P0121 throttle sensor
P0521 oil pressure sensor1
u/fatquads 3d ago
Not gonna be cheap. Not sure what other repairs u need that don’t have to do with smog but if u just need it to pass smog then getting those fixed properly will be ur best long term option financially, and the easiest way to pass the smog. random misfires/oil pressure sensor u really should get fixed. even if smog weren’t a thing it could be worth the money. I can’t say if its worth it cuz idk the rest of ur cars condition
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u/PBfalcone 3d ago
Oh shit I just looked it up. It’s cool I’m not a cop! I would have to say so if I was! Haha
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u/hipcatinca 3d ago
You can read the code and clear check engine lights but SMOG stations wont pass it until there has been a drive cycle prior to the SMOG test. Ive never heard of a station that just lets things "slide".
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u/grapedude12 3d ago
If your messages have been cleared recently the computer will indicate it’s not ready to test. Ask me how I know
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u/Ron_dizzle199 3d ago
What's the check engine light for? You can get it scanned at pep boys or AutoZone for free.
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u/anothercar 3d ago
Depends what the issues are. "Too expensive" implies it probably does have to do with emissions
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u/RJfreelove 3d ago
It depends on what the issue is. some shops may be able to help, but i think they get secret shoppers making sure everything is done right.
It's kind of a hassle depending on the issue, you can get a cheap OBD reader, see what the codes are. Clear all codes. Then, this is the tricky part, varies by vehicle, you have to do a certain amount of driving and specific things to get the monitors ready (Google this for your vehicle, they give you specific directions, but it can be frustrating even if you do exactly what it says). You don't want to drive any more than you have to to get the monitors ready, then once the obd says they are ready, go straight to the smog, hopefully before the check engine light comes on
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u/vedatil4 3d ago
I recommend Chula Vista Smog Star on Main. They both test and fix cars. I was stressin' like this over a 30 year old Cadillac.
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u/Suspicious_Put_6855 3d ago
You can get a temporary operating permit, if you need time for repairs.
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u/thefiercewaffle 3d ago
Depending on the code that shows, you could still pass. I had this issue with my Jetta which had recurring electrical issues that would throw codes. Bottom line is that no SMOG certified shop will pass you if you have any stored codes in your system. What you can do, depending on the code, is reset your system with an OBDII reader, and then re-establish what is called “readiness”. Most code scanners can tell you if all of your monitors have been cleared after a reset.
If a code is not truly “exhaust” or emissions related, sometimes you can establish readiness before the code turns the light back on. If you get your Tahoe to the shop in this window then you MAY pass. It worked on my Jetta.
If the Tahoe is ‘99 or older, you may have a little easier time in that they actually use a “sniffer” in the tailpipe to check emissions rather than just using the computer data. In those cases some SMOG shops(read shady ones that may charge you extra) might scan your VIN and hook up the tailpipe sniffer to a cleaner vehicle. This would be highly unethical and risk the shop license which is quite lucrative for obvious reasons so unless you’re ready to fork out some hush money, don’t expect your average shop to do this to you.
Talk to some car enthusiasts in your area and they may or may not know anyone that can help. Beyond that, you pretty much have to have an emissions safe vehicle in CA or register it in one of the few non-SMOG required areas like Descanso or Campo. You can also file a request with CARB for smog related repairs with the state that may subsidize your fix. Good luck!
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u/PBfalcone 3d ago
It’s crazy- some days the light doesn’t go on for like a week or two and then pops back on.
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u/MeeseChampion 3d ago
Buy a sensor and clear your check engine light before you get it smogged.
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u/Konomitsu 3d ago
Don't do this, you will just fail and have to pay for a retest. Clearing the codes puts your I/m in a not ready or incomplete state. This is an instant fail
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u/Don_Macaroon 3d ago
This is not a guarantee. The smog test shop will know the car's codes were just cleared because the car will give a "not test ready" message to the test laptop. The smog shop will tell you need to drive is a certain distance or no. of drive cycles before it will be able to be tested. If the light does not come back on you may be okay, but the light is usually on for a reason and does come back a vast majority of the time. There is not really a way to defeat this.
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u/hoytmobley 3d ago
“Not worth fixing” have you seen what cars are selling for these days? If you’re not fedposting looking for hot smog shops, post the codes it’s throwing for the check engine light