I have to get my emissions done in GA and the OBDII will not communicate with the test units.... it works with other pieces but not the emissions.... it also quit working with my scanner

 

Maybe a bent pin or two?

 

Have you tried to reset the ECU?

 

no.....do you think that will work? have you done this and does it work?

 

Yes, but not for this problem, thinking maybe a flag is set causing the buffer to lock up communications. Remove ECU and check all connector pins and you have done both trouble shooting steps.
ScottinBend's idea is good too, be careful when plugging back in. i.e. gentle.
It's is worth a try.
Are the OBD11 connector pins straight?

 

can't they just use a senor on that pole thing that they can place
inside the exhaust pipe?

 

I know up her in IL that os no a no-no and reserved only of the pre-OBDII cars; but is was offered for a while as a fail one you have 2nd chance type deal, but the technology proved itself so now its OBDII or nothing in IL.

I'd say check the pins and crawl down into the footwell see if any of the wores came loose, when oyu plug in the scanner does it at least get power?

 

SpiderX, please post the resolution or what you found. This is a serious problem if you live in Maryland because that is an automatic emissions fail.

 

I know I'm focusing on the obvious here, but did you try both the "off" and #2 key positions?

 

took it to yhe dealer and they "did something" that fixed the problem..... tok the car back to the emissions and it worked..... I did not speak to the tech

 

since you sound familiar with the IL emmissions, when is my car due
for a check? mine's a 03.

 

You get 3 tears, before it needs to be checked, I'll check some documentation to get the # of months but you are at the least getting close, its not bad at all nowadays, just roll up (don't go at lunch hour, and sometimes end of day there is a bit of a wait) the plug it in, 10 seconds later they say you're cleared (no SES light usually means you pass). The state also has it so many mechanics and now clear you and do the state documentation you'll need. I'll get more detailed info for you later today.

My last car kept fail the test every three years:impatient :impatient so I got fairly well acquainted with what they need.

 

been written up in your paper work as to what they did at the dealer. Yes it's pretty cryptic but the procedure is there.

 

The most likely procedure they used was static discharge. Sometimes the MINI ECU will do some crazy sh*t.

 

3 years between tests, plug in your scanner before hand ifit says you pass don't clear anything and drive on over and pick up your card, it seems as though you are about due, kinda suprised that you haven't gotten a notice from the state yet.

 

In McHenry County Illinois, If you live west of some magic point west of Crystal Lake you do not get tested. You are considered to be too far away to commute to "Chicago" and pollute the air.

I have heard of hot rodders getting a P.O. Box in Marengo that they register the car to so they won't have to get inspected.

Watch out for "resets" or dead batteries...

In Illinois, as most states the "monitors" must be "ready".
These are a half dozen tests that take several drive cycles to complete. The Malfunction Indicator Light won't go on for an incomplete test, but they are listed on the EPA scanner. Once a test is complete, if you "fail" then the MIL goes on.

In most cars, disconecting the battery or erasing any code will cause various Monitors to go "incomplete". In Illinois you are allowed only one incomplete.

When I was chasing a problem on my 98 Chevy, reseting the engine too rich error code caused all of my monitors to go incomplete. Some (catalyst test and O2 sensor) took a week of local driving to complete.

My recent, cheap, scanner lists the monitors that are "ready" and the ones that are "incomplete" automatically when I scan the car.

The Actron Scanner web site, and the Illinois EPA web site describe this stuff.
John

 

they'll need to send me the notice before snow or after then.

 

If you want to save yourself the hassle of them threatening to suspend your license then do it before.

(just in case we haven't hijacked the thread already, sorry guys; now back your regularly scheduled thread.....)

 

you can't just go in there, right? you need to bring the notification letter
with ya to the air-head team.

 

Yeah I'd like to know too!

The larger problem is people that use the forum but don't post the resolution after they get what they wanted out of it.
Some of us out here that are out of warranty are here so we can learn about/fix/maintain our MINI's ourselves.
This is supposed to be a forum, discuss, share and disseminate information about MINI's.

 

You can just show up, if you're reasonably close its on the state, if you're insanely early then I think its a $20 fee, but you'll be good for three years. I don't reccomend calling them the airhead team while you're there, it might cause some conspicuous failures. I had my last car fixed up at a place in Palatine by the post office and they had the equipment to do the testing for me, so if you go to a good mechanic to get everythign squared away for the winter storage then they may be able to do it for you (might be worth giving them a call).

 

Sometimes the MINI ECU will do some crazy sh*t.[/QUOTE]

that is for sure...... the Mini ECU is like the "Woper" from "War Games"...... where is Matthew Broderick when you need him.

 

i didn't know that! thanks for the info!

 

voluntary test can not be used as an official test...
Here's a copy/paste. but the test starts after 4 model years...
therefore my notice will come next year. 2003 + 4 = 2007.
From there, i will need to test every 2 years....

http://www.epa.state.il.us/air/vim/faq/voluntary.html

Voluntary Test
For a $20 fee, any gasoline-powered vehicle can receive a voluntary emissions test. This service may be used by anyone, for example:

Individuals considering the purchase of a used vehicle.

Out-of-state residents whose vehicles are temporarily in Illinois and need emissions tests to comply with their home-state requirements.

Auto repair technicians to verify repairs and improve customer satisfaction.


The voluntary test is not considered an official test for Illinois vehicles subject to testing.

 

ok, thanks for the clarification