Failing CA Smog Test - LotusTalk

fonzi337 · 08-29-2009, 12:25 PM

Hi,

Today I took in my 05 Elise for a smog test. A few weeks ago, I had to have the battery replaced by Lotus (left iPod plugged in over night

). After replacement (although this may have happened before replacing it, as I hardly had a few days to drive it), I noticed I couldn't rev higher than 6000 RPM even with engine fully warm. Someone on the forums pointed me to the ECU fuse. I checked it and it was blown and I replaced it and was able to rev normally.

Now I'm failing smog for the readiness tests (catalytic and some other ones...they all say "Not Ready"). The smog technician asked me if I had replaced the battery recently. I told him I had but had driven it for over 1000 miles so those readiness tests should already be ready. Any idea what may be wrong? Could it be another fuse problem? If so, any idea which fuses I should check?

Thanks in advance.

fonzi337 · 08-29-2009, 04:11 PM

Update: I checked the 8 fuses in the engine bay and they all look OK. Any thoughts on what else I can check? Is there a reset procedure I'm unaware of after replacing a battery and fuse?

Mr. Know · 08-29-2009, 05:31 PM

Get an OBD-II code reader first, then post what codes it is throwing here and you will probably get better help. Good luck.

Leaving an iPod plugged in overnight should not ruin a battery. It might drain it, but get yourself a charger (Battery Tender Jr. or something like that) and you shouldn't have as many problems.

Seb · 08-29-2009, 06:53 PM

What happens is the ECU dumps all of it's a/f ratio data (someone correct me if I'm wrong) when it's reset (done by removing the battery).

The ECU then has to learn everything over again. Typically this takes only one tank of gas, plus a varied driving style.

You could try resetting the ECU once again.

This is only valid if you do not have a CEL. If you have a CEL, then your problem is elsewhere. Most likely with the catalytic converter.

RoadDad · 08-29-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzi337

Update: I checked the 8 fuses in the engine bay and they all look OK.

FWIW, fuses can "look" ok and still be blown. I use a small fuse checker to assure continuity.

fonzi337 · 08-29-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seb

What happens is the ECU dumps all of it's a/f ratio data (someone correct me if I'm wrong) when it's reset (done by removing the battery).

The ECU then has to learn everything over again. Typically this takes only one tank of gas, plus a varied driving style.

You could try resetting the ECU once again.

This is only valid if you do not have a CEL. If you have a CEL, then your problem is elsewhere. Most likely with the catalytic converter.

No, no CEL illumination. Just the readiness tests show up as "Not Ready." What's the best way to reset the ECU? Unplug the battery for 10-15 minutes?

I'll probably go buy a continuity tester tomorrow for checking the fuses more closely.

fonzi337 · 08-30-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzi337

No, no CEL illumination. Just the readiness tests show up as "Not Ready." What's the best way to reset the ECU? Unplug the battery for 10-15 minutes?

I'll probably go buy a continuity tester tomorrow for checking the fuses more closely.

Anyone?

Seb · 08-30-2009, 01:25 PM

Remove the negative terminal for 30 seconds, and drive with a varied driving style. It should be ready within one tank of fuel.

gameson · 08-30-2009, 02:02 PM

If car fails CA smog test and already out of warranty, the emmision is still covered by Lotus, right? Therefore this car can be taken to dealer for failure investigation?

agirls · 08-30-2009, 02:54 PM

7 year/70,000 mile emissions defects warranty parts list

catalytic converter
engine management electronic control module
throttle body
exhaust manifold
fuel tank
fuel level sender and seal
IAC valve
knock sensor
intake manifold and gasket
fuel pressure regulator valve
fuel level vent valve
roll over valve
instrument pack
main harness

fonzi337 · 08-30-2009, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirls

7 year/70,000 mile emissions defects warranty parts list

catalytic converter
engine management electronic control module
throttle body
exhaust manifold
fuel tank
fuel level sender and seal
IAC valve
knock sensor
intake manifold and gasket
fuel pressure regulator valve
fuel level vent valve
roll over valve
instrument pack
main harness

Thank you, I will go with this list in-hand to the service center when I take it in tomorrow. Hopefully it's covered by warranty.

agirls · 08-31-2009, 06:36 AM

It's in your owner's manual.

A7594217 · 08-31-2009, 09:51 AM

OBD2 cars have monitors in the ecu. This means the ecu checks to make sure certain things are working correctly like the cat, evap system, etc. When you unplug the battery you erase all the monitors. You have to just put some miles on the car and let it run the monitors. Once the monitors run AND pass then you should be fine. If thats what your talking about of course

When the smog guy checks the ecu it will show either monitor not run, fail or pass. Anything but pass and you will fail a smog inspection. See if you fail the cat monitor you get the P0420 everything gets when you run a test pipe.

A7594217 · 08-31-2009, 09:53 AM

Oh yeah and im a licensed smog tech in CA.

However the shop i currently work out does not have a smog machine so cant help ya.

08-29-2009, 12:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
fonzi337 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 31	Failing CA Smog Test Hi, Today I took in my 05 Elise for a smog test. A few weeks ago, I had to have the battery replaced by Lotus (left iPod plugged in over night ). After replacement (although this may have happened before replacing it, as I hardly had a few days to drive it), I noticed I couldn't rev higher than 6000 RPM even with engine fully warm. Someone on the forums pointed me to the ECU fuse. I checked it and it was blown and I replaced it and was able to rev normally. Now I'm failing smog for the readiness tests (catalytic and some other ones...they all say "Not Ready"). The smog technician asked me if I had replaced the battery recently. I told him I had but had driven it for over 1000 miles so those readiness tests should already be ready. Any idea what may be wrong? Could it be another fuse problem? If so, any idea which fuses I should check? Thanks in advance.

08-29-2009, 05:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,350 Images: 6	Get an OBD-II code reader first, then post what codes it is throwing here and you will probably get better help. Good luck. Leaving an iPod plugged in overnight should not ruin a battery. It might drain it, but get yourself a charger (Battery Tender Jr. or something like that) and you shouldn't have as many problems. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Join the Blue Lotus Team on Facebook.

08-30-2009, 02:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 767 Images: 73	7 year/70,000 mile emissions defects warranty parts list catalytic converter engine management electronic control module throttle body exhaust manifold fuel tank fuel level sender and seal IAC valve knock sensor intake manifold and gasket fuel pressure regulator valve fuel level vent valve roll over valve instrument pack main harness __________________ Toys- 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange 05 Ducati S4R 02 Suzuki SV650 09 Kawasaki KLX250

08-31-2009, 06:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 767 Images: 73	It's in your owner's manual. __________________ Toys- 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange 05 Ducati S4R 02 Suzuki SV650 09 Kawasaki KLX250

08-31-2009, 09:51 AM	#13 (permalink)
A7594217 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 356	OBD2 cars have monitors in the ecu. This means the ecu checks to make sure certain things are working correctly like the cat, evap system, etc. When you unplug the battery you erase all the monitors. You have to just put some miles on the car and let it run the monitors. Once the monitors run AND pass then you should be fine. If thats what your talking about of course When the smog guy checks the ecu it will show either monitor not run, fail or pass. Anything but pass and you will fail a smog inspection. See if you fail the cat monitor you get the P0420 everything gets when you run a test pipe. __________________ 05 GG Elise-BWR S/C-Nitrons-Intake-Exhaust-Test Pipe-Cf Scoops-Cf Lip-Cf Diffuser-Piaa Wheels-And all the little stuff

08-29-2009, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
fonzi337 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 31	Update: I checked the 8 fuses in the engine bay and they all look OK. Any thoughts on what else I can check? Is there a reset procedure I'm unaware of after replacing a battery and fuse?

08-29-2009, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 753	What happens is the ECU dumps all of it's a/f ratio data (someone correct me if I'm wrong) when it's reset (done by removing the battery). The ECU then has to learn everything over again. Typically this takes only one tank of gas, plus a varied driving style. You could try resetting the ECU once again. This is only valid if you do not have a CEL. If you have a CEL, then your problem is elsewhere. Most likely with the catalytic converter.

08-30-2009, 01:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 753	Remove the negative terminal for 30 seconds, and drive with a varied driving style. It should be ready within one tank of fuel.

08-30-2009, 02:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
gameson Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,999	If car fails CA smog test and already out of warranty, the emmision is still covered by Lotus, right? Therefore this car can be taken to dealer for failure investigation?

08-31-2009, 09:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
A7594217 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 356	Oh yeah and im a licensed smog tech in CA. However the shop i currently work out does not have a smog machine so cant help ya. __________________ 05 GG Elise-BWR S/C-Nitrons-Intake-Exhaust-Test Pipe-Cf Scoops-Cf Lip-Cf Diffuser-Piaa Wheels-And all the little stuff

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