Failed inspection with 02 monitors not ready

[taximom]

I have a 2002 Infiniti 1-35 that has just failed a 3rd inspection because of 02 monitor not ready, catalyst not ready. Right before the 1st inspection the MIL came on. I told my husband that it might be caused by low oil since that has happened before. At least that is what I was told. It had only been 3000 miles since that last change. One thread suggested that I switch to Mobil 1, which I did. After a day or so the light went off. Failed inspection #1 for above. I drove it about 200 miles per another thread which was about 1 week and several drive cycles. Failed reinspection #2 for same as above, still no fault codes. The inspection facility was only a few blocks from the house so I blamed it on an engine not at operating temperature. Today, one week later, I drove my car for 30+ minutes before the inspection (per yet another thread). Failed reinspection #3. Still no fault codes. Before I spend a small fortune for a diagnostic, any thoughts or suggestions?
Marcie

[tigersharkdude]

Welcome to Nico. Sorry to say, BUT I have no idea. Someone else should chime in

[loystock]

As far as I know, your car did not fail the test but rather was not ready for inspection. Failing the test means your car's emission levels are beyond allowable values for a particular state. In most states, a car will not be tested if SRT is not complete or CEL is ON. In CA, 2 parameters in NOT READY state is acceptable, provided the CEL is OFF.

The System Readiness Test (SRT) may be 'tricky' and take a while, especially if you don't know how the different sensors are set to READY state. If the ECU has been reset (thru an OBD II scanner; by disconnecting the battery for extended period; or manually thru the ECU itself) or if CEL just turned off, parameters in the ECU are set to NOT READY state and the car has to go thru a warm-up, constant speed and stop-and-go cycles to change from NOT READY to READY state. The best way to find out if your car is ready for inspection or not is go to to Autozone and the likes and have a free OBD II scan. Assuming there is no trouble code stored, the scanner will indicate if SRT has been completed and if not, which parameter(s) is NOT READY.

I'll try to explain it as briefly as possible. Start the car and let it idle for @ 2 minutes (open loop, O2 sensors not being used by ECU) and once the coolant temp reaches @ 158C/70C, the O2 Sensor Heater is set in READY state (the ECU will start using the O2 sensors - closed loop) . Driving the car on a highway for 10 minutes @ 53-60 MPH sets EGR, O2 Sensors and Catalyst to READY state. Driving the car on city streets for 6 minutes @ 30-35 MPH with 5 FULL STOP and GO sets EGR-BPT and Evap Purge Flow Monitors. After city driving, 3 minutes of highway driving at 53-60 MPH sets EVAP Small Leak Monitor to READY. At this point, SRT is complete.

From above, you can see that you can drive hundreds of miles but if you did not maintain the required speed, some of the parameters will remain NOT READY. The hardest part is highway driving at 53-60 MPH with cars passing you on left and right and other drivers probably giving you a one-finger salute. And as always, make sure the engine has been driven several miles and warm before taking it for inspection to reduce emission levels of HC, etc.

Please refer to page EL-82 of the attached link for more info.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/i35/2002/ec.pdf

[taximom]

Thank you, Loystock! That did the trick. It was quite tedious and you were right - the highway part was the hardest. Thanks for your help.
Marcie

[smoorenc]

I want to thank you too. I did this in my 3.5se Altima Coupe and it passed inspection. Great write up!

[e30cabrio]

Sorry to dredge up an old thread but at least you can't say SEARCH!


My 06 350Z refuses to get ready. I have no CEL but just got not ready from AZ emissions.

Will this procedure work for me?


Thanks

[brettxxc]

this worked for my 07 altima 2.5s, thanks so much! im glad i didnt pay the mechanic who quoted me $630 to fix the evap canister and evap module.......

[smkrepe]

hello, will this work for a Nissan xterra supercharged 2002? my mechanic has been clearing codes for 2 months now and hes having trouble clearing 2 monitors. one is the o2 and the other is evap related I cant remember, im losing my mind so I picked up the truck and told him id put some miles on it, he claims to have driven it a couple hundred miles but im assuming he didn't do the complete drive cycles and that's y its not clearing but im no mechanic so I cant say. in the state of RI you can have one monitor pending and still pass so if I can get one to disappear ill be all set. any help is appreciated, thanks, phill
[email protected]

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I always had to get new o2 sensors when I got that diagnostic code for o2 sensors
I ready where somebody used spark plug arresstors to relocate the 02 sensor
further away from the exhaust stream on the catalytic converter. The arrestors
provide a means for the o2 sensor to screw inside of the arrestor. This fixed
his problem of the CEL going off for o2 issues.