My registration is coming due in April (just got the notice) and it's due for its second smog test (first several years it was exempt). Does the technician do a scan for error codes or does he simply look for the check engine light? My light is off but I have a nagging P1740 code that my cheap OBD scanner doesn't seem to be able to erase. I just want to know if I need to get this code cleared before the smog test.

 

in CA any and all check engine light codes must be cleared before a smog inspection will pass.

1. plug in check for any OBD codes if none proceed to visual, if codes fail
2. Visual inspection, check for factory components and emissions equipment. determine if vehicle was Catalyst equipt or not
3. start engine and proceed to snap throttle test

 

Did my smog guy mess up? I just did mine 2 weeks ago and no snap was performed, said something about no emissions checks on 2000 and up vehicles starting in 2013, just visual and obd check. Took 10 minutes. ANY CEL is an instant failure.

NJMurvin, if you're ever up near Santa Clarita, gimmie a shout, I have a freshly updated Smarty I can help you out to clear it with.

 

Hey BH06, thanks for the offer. For the record, the CEL is off. However, if they do a scan, it will come up. I guess I need to clear it before taking it in. The smog tech is only about 1/2 mile from my office. Maybe I should stop by and ask him.

 

They may have changed or maybe it varies by city/county. My last smog SF Bay Area (Contra Costa County) was July '12 and all he did was look for my cat, start it, rev it twice and sent me on my way.

 

This was the same way they did my smog on my truck here in so cal, but it was back in july of 2011. Took 5 minutes and cost me $58

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

Enjoy the lax test while it lasts. I can feel the EPA/CARB boys cooking up a sniffer/OBDII under load test for diesels coming here first,then spreading countrywide.

 

I just had mine done about a month ago. He plugged into the OBD 2, which they didn't do last time, a visual for add ons and a snap test. I passed with flying colors, thanks to my Smarty Jr's ability to return to stock.
John