Emissions test 2024
 

I got my HHR tested in 2022, it failed after getting a new catalytic converter and I got a 2 year waiver. Thread here:

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...n-65064/page3/

I hardly drove it, but recently I drove it everyday (4 days so far) to hopefully get the computer to collect data for the test. One problem I think I might have is the fuel gauge stays at the maximum level and there's something wrong with it. I've been putting gas into the tank, usually from a 5 gallon gas can I fill when I take my Camaro to the gas station. I read some threads on this forum about the fuel level sending unit not working. I'm wondering if I can get the test done with this problem or it needs to be fixed first. I need to get the test done by March 6, 2024, but I can get an extension if I need to.

When were the codes cleared? If you go to your favorite big box auto parts store (or your own code reader) they can check the I/M readiness (what OBD tests remain), Federal law lets 1 test un done, that is usually the EVAP test, it takes about 10 days of normal use. Most of the other tests get run within a day or so.
I don't think the fuel gauge has any bearing on inspection, unless it causes a code.

Hey Don. Read the OP’s link to his other thread. You tried to help him in that one but it went nowhere.

You really should have got this fixed during the past 2 years. I've attached a PDF for I/M readiness monitor requirements in Maryland.

OK, I give up.

I was thinking of getting a tester. I had a 1987 Buick Century that would fail the emissions test each time it got tested until the mechanic decided to change four of the sensors and then it passed. It failed a couple times and I would get some work done on it, get it tested and then get a waiver.

The main thing I'm worried about is if the fuel gauge problem will interfere with the test. I took the HHR to be repaired two years ago and for some reason they didn't or couldn't fix it so it would pass the test. I did go to two different stores where they tested it and the results were discussed in the link I gave in the first post.

1987 did not have OBD2 , so whatever may have been the case on that car is not relevant to this car.
Fuel gauge HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH EMISSIONS.
IF THERE ARE NO CODES AND THE I/M READINESS IS OK YOU SHOULD PASS.
Find a real mechanic.

I took the HHR to a mechanic that was listed in the list of CERFs that the MVA gave me. If I wanted to get my own code reader which one would you recommend? When I went to Advance Auto two years ago the man that tested my HHR said the tester said something about an oxygen sensor. Someone mentioned an oxygen sensor and possible cracked elbow in my first thread on emissions. Maybe I can fix that myself.

Talk to local people, so you can find a good local mechanic. Like donbrew said in your other thread, if you're not going to fix it yourself, then you don't need a code reader. After AutoZone told you about the oxygen sensor, did you take it to a shop for diagnosis and repair?

I took it to Rising Sun Motors after the emissions test failed because it was on the CERF list and they changed the catalytic converter. They didn't say anything about the oxygen sensor.

If a CERF certified shop fixed it they guarantee that it will pass, that is the point of certification.

Then why does the MVA give waivers?

There's a lot of interesting videos on youtube about OBD2 testing. Some examples:

Emissions Test - What are I/M Readiness Monitors And How To Fix

Make your car smog ready in 15 minutes - I/M Readiness Drive Cycle Procedure

You would think, but Doesn't appear to be true. https://2019-mde.maryland.gov/progra...Fs-Locate.aspx

I'm not going to say it's a scam. But I would bet that there is a fee paid to the state by every shop on the list. Similar to the Top Teir gasoline certification.

Drive cycles are not generic, a good shop can print the drive cycle procedure specific to your vehicle.

Sorry Advance Auto parts scanned and told you it was something about the oxygen sensor. Then you took it to rising sun?

2 years ago, I could not get the I/M readiness monitor to complete the Catalyst test. No check engine light, no codes. My good mechanic thought from the live data, that it could potentially be the oxygen sensors, which were original to the vehicle. Replacing them didn't help. I took off the 2 year old catalytic converter, and reinstalled the original, and the I/M Catalyst test ran soon after, and I passed smog.

The OBD2 system helps an experienced, trained mechanic to find the cause, but there are often several potential causes for any particular code. But in my case, didn't e even have codes to help, just the status of the I/M monitors. Sounds like you might not have codes either.

There's not a lot of difference between all the cheap code readers. Look up OBD2 code reader on Amazon, find one with good review. Make sure it will provide the I/M status.

The FOXWELL NT201 is on amazon.com for $35.98. Free delivery for orders over $35. I'm going to order a reader and see if I can see what's wrong with the car. At least I can tell if its ready for the emissions test.

Foxwell NT201 OBD2 Code Reader Review And How To Use

You would be much better off getting a scan tool rather than a glorified code reader.

If you spent $450 or more to get it fixed you should have apply for a waiver.
The retesting that you put off would have been free.
Certified shops are supposed to have testing equipment so that they can be sure you pass.
Cars built 1995 and before are exempt. OBD2 was mandated in 1996.
If you bother to read this; here is the Maryland rules: https://mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/Pages/veip.aspx
I guess it much easier to worry about things than to just ask the authority.

My turn to say your link is 404, RJ.

How odd, just followed a Google search result, then shared... oh well, here's the copy and paste.

Maryland Certified Emissions Repair Facilities (CERFs) employ skilled Master Certified Emissions Technicians, who have earned the highest national recognition for expertise in emissions repairs.
Motorists should consider that specialized training and experience may be necessary to perform effective emissions repairs, but motorists are not required to have repairs done at a CERF.

IDK about that particular model, but there are Foxwell that are a lot more than code readers.

I've heard of Foxwells being used to pairs fobs and a bunch of stuff you thought you needed a Tech II for. I thought Foxwell claimed to was pretty much a Tech II. Now I wanna go back and check. I do recall they have several models and it's importand to chose the right one, depending on your car(s.)

Tech2 is just a computer that runs the GM proprietary software. You can "obtain" the software.

https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/ai...erflookup.aspx

I'll ask the people at the emissions station about this. I placed the order for the Foxwell reader Feb 9 from amazon.com and got it today. I haven't tried it yet.

Didn't your new cat cost more than $450? That would entitle you to a waiver.

He got the waiver, but it's only good for 2 years, until the next smog test is due. Now it's due again, but the issue was not fixed in those 2 years.

That's obvious, isn't it? I got the Foxwell NT201 working and it said all the tests were OK except the O2 sensor which was incomplete. I saw a youtube video where someone demonstrated an OBD2 tester and he drove at 55 mph and slowed down to about 20 mph to get the tests to complete. I might have to do that with my HHR.

So the Foxwell is saying the catalytic converter or one of the O2 sensors aren’t working

O2 sensor test incomplete

O2 sensor tests run continuously; if it is not ready after 2 years it will never be ready. Maybe it is time to think about addressing them, it is recommended to replace them when replacing the cat.
Agonizing about it doesn't help.
Drive cycle is a fiction. Normal driving for 10 days is usually sufficient. There is NO need to clear codes, they clear themselves after repair; clearing makes all of the OBD start from scratch.

So exactly which code are we advising on , just the code or codes please.

As far as I can tell; it flunked emissions 2 years ago, no codes cited, got new cat with a 2 year waiver. Now we are worrying about the TPMS needing new sensors and the fuel gauge not working affecting a new emissions test. For unknown reasons the OBD2 O2 sensor test is "not ready", no codes cited.

Evidently, the car did not actually "fail" in 2022 rather it was "not ready". No reason is given for replacing the cat at that time.

The usual cause of a "not ready" is a pending or current code. Since 1996 the OBD computer has done all of the emissions tests that were formerly done at the inspection station with a tailpipe probe. "Not ready" means not ready for inspection, inspection being a state employee plugging a OBD2 reader into the OBD2 port and receiving Passed or Failed on the various tests. If a test is "not ready" it means that something is inhibiting the test; all of tests have certain criteria for running, including the absence of certain codes.

When I was dealing with a P0420 I was not worried about I/M readiness (no emissions testing in my county). I know that every time I reset the codes there would be no codes for 10 days of driving then the EVAP test would run and pass followed by the P0420 popping back up; I don't know what the I/M readiness state was. The car was gone before it got fixed.

This is what my reader showed 1.5 years ago. The Red Xs are not applicable.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bc5a2505f7.png

O2 sensor test isn't completing, I don't see in either thread that the o2 sensor wiring had been looked at. I would be visually inspecting this. If all looks good, try a new sensor. Anybody know which one to start with?

The codes would indicate which sensor isn’t ready

There are no codes. Just like when I had no codes but the Catalyst monitor would not complete.

Yesterday, I drove the HHR on the highway at least 50 mph and about 60 mph for a couple minutes. The readings on the Foxwell are the same after that. I can get some pictures when I get a chance.

Taking the story at face value, The shop ripped you off. According to the report from MVA there is no indication of a bad catalytic converter, only "not ready". which does not mean "bad cat". If they had done the job correctly they would have fixed whatever is inhibiting the testing.

Here are the conditions for running the P0420 (catalytic converter efficiency) test. My guess is that it is not getting inti closed loop.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2e6510e73d.png

Since he said only the o2 monitor is not ready, we presume the Catalyst monitor is ready, wouldn't that indicate that the cat (p0420 test) is fine?

This from NY.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...78db2b9f3a.png
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c4ace78a78.png

Thanks for that donbrew. I'm going to have to read that several times to comprehend all of that.

In my case, the last paragraph seems to be untrue. I had no codes, pending or set(CEL), but the Catalyst test wouldn't complete until I replaced the cat.

In OPs case, the o2 sensor monitor has not completed (2nd to last paragraph) but the Catalyst test has completed. It does say "in most cases".

A head scratcher.

I made a video while using the Foxwell NT201 on my HHR. I think either the O2 sensor is bad or the test is incomplete. Maybe I could try replacing the O2 sensor and see what happens. I got an email from the MVA January 31 about the emissions test and today (Feb 13) I got something in the mail about it.

Here's two other videos (made by someone else) on the Foxwell NT201.

Foxwell NT201 OBD2 Scanner Review-With A Color Display

Foxwell NT201 with my HHR

Ok, now which O2 sensor do you replace? There are 2 , or replace both?

I got a Haynes manual which includes the HHR 2006- 2011. I'm trying to figure that out.
I drove everyday last week, and this week I drove on the highway M-W. The HHR drives very well. If I can have work on it done at a non-CERF gas station, maybe I can take it there if it fails again. I've got two cars and one of the reasons I have the HHR is to park in front of my house next to my driveway to keep other people fronm parking there and blocking my driveway. The HHR was sitting there for about 6 months and I would run it for about 10 minutes once a week to make sure the battery stays charged. I usually drive my other car once a week and ride a bike a lot. I also live near Metro Rail (subway) and can ride my bike or walk there. Another reason I wanted a van-like vehicle is in case I decide to move to another house to get away from all the overcrowding in my neighborhood (cars parked everywhere). I should be able to move most things with the HHR.

BTW, there's videos on youtube about changing an oxygen sensor for 2006-2011 Chevy HHRs, also there's threads here on O2 sensors.