Computer reset for emissions check.

[nathankershaw]

A little advice needed.
I cleared all the codes on my 01 Z3 3.0 stick.
Now I need to get it smogged.
I've done 80 miles trying to reset the computer & everything is good to go apart from the CAT not being ready.
Anybody have any ideas? More miles? Different speeds? Seafoam?

 

[gookah]

It sounds like English, but I'm not sure.....
Your stick needs smogging with seafoam?

Well yes, I'd try that then.

 

[nathankershaw]

It sounds like English, but I'm not sure.....
Your stick needs smogging with seafoam?

Well yes, I'd try that then.

Ahh...ok...yeah...I'm English in California now
We have an emissions check every 2 years called a SMOG check.
I bought this car crashed fixed everything, cleared the codes a & then went driving to reset the computer.
That usually takes about 20/30 miles in my experience.
I'm now over 80 miles of driving and every sensor is set apart from the "Cat" sensor which I assume is some combination of signal from the o2 sensors.
The car's not showing a code but this sensor isn't resetting.

 

[gookah]

have you tried INPA and resetting adaptations?

 

[t-tony]

How much does it cost for the test Nath. Is it worth having it tested first, not sure how the Cali testing works.

Tony.

 

[nathankershaw]

How much does it cost for the test Nath. Is it worth having it tested first, not sure how the Cali testing works.

Tony.

For 2001 & newer cars it's basically an OBD2 scan to make sure everything is working.
I know the guy so we threw it on his scanner and it threw up this "not ready" CAT monitor not ready so it won't go through the test.

 

[nathankershaw]

have you tried INPA and resetting adaptations?

Ooh...what are these inciting sound things you speak of?
I'm new to Z3's...& this lingo...

 

[mrscalex]

Ooh...what are these inciting sound things you speak of?
I'm new to Z3's...& this lingo...

The adaptations are the bespoke settings/tuning of your engine.

They can be reset via appropriate diagnostics. And then the ECU rediscovers what it needs.

You won't do it with a handheld. It will have to be done by a specialist or with a copy of INPA on a laptop. That's the proper BMW software wrapped up into a home brew install. You can get install disc/cable sets for about £40. It's a good investment but choose carefully as there are various sellers and some are easier to get up and running than others.

It's a serious bit of software but does work well with patience and care.

 

[BladeRunner919]

The OPs problem can't be resolved in diagnostics. California testing has some very strict rules that are designed to stop a car owner deleting OBDII error codes outside the testing centre to try and mask any faults. Any problems with the car have to be fixed and faults cleared, then the car has to be driven a certain distance in a certain way before the ecu flags itself as 'ready' for testing.
Thankfully we don't have any of the highly-intrusive nonsense that they have in the 'land of the free'!

 

[mrscalex]

The OPs problem can't be resolved in diagnostics. California testing has some very strict rules that are designed to stop a car owner deleting OBDII error codes outside the testing centre to try and mask any faults. Any problems with the car have to be fixed and faults cleared, then the car has to be driven a certain distance in a certain way before the ecu flags itself as 'ready' for testing.
Thankfully we don't have any of the highly-intrusive nonsense that they have in the 'land of the free'!

Maybe not. But the question was about resetting the adaptations not error codes. Although I don't doubt the error codes may get reset as a matter of course. If the car has been sat around in a boneyard for months it's not impossible it would be a reasonable approach.

I don't know enough to have a firm view.

 

[BladeRunner919]

It has nothing to do with adaptations. It's only about the car having been through a specific set of driving conditions after any faults have been reset. It's so the ecu can confidently confirm to the testing station that the car is fit to pass and has been used in specific conditions that would have thrown an error, if there was the potential for a code to be set.

To be honest, the OP asked the same question on a US-based site, where they are used to this stuff and has probably had the answer he really needs.

 

[nathankershaw]

It has nothing to do with adaptations. It's only about the car having been through a specific set of driving conditions after any faults have been reset. It's so the ecu can confidently confirm to the testing station that the car is fit to pass and has been used in specific conditions that would have thrown an error, if there was the potential for a code to be set.

To be honest, the OP asked the same question on a US-based site, where they are used to this stuff and has probably had the answer he really needs.

I asked on Bimmerfest & Bimmerforums & they all come back to the drive cycle which I will do again.

One thing I did notice was that when I did a long 40mph decel, obviously the motor had no load but lots of air flow...I think the coolant temp went too low...thus...I think the thermostat is sticking open...so on the freeway I wonder if it's getting up to temp to do the 55mph CAT set cycle.

 

[mrscalex]

We really have have nothing like your test over here. So you may be asking the wrong people.

I'm wondering if the software/error codes are even the same?

 

[BladeRunner919]

It's exactly the same software and a standard part of OBDII, we just don't have any roadworthiness tests that require the OBD codes to be read.

 

[nathankershaw]

THERMOSTAT!!!!!!!!

The car must have been running just slightly too cold to do the CAT reset test.

New stat... 5minutes at 55 & she was ready...& passed emissions!

 

[t-tony]

Good news mate, is that it for 2 years now or just 1?.

Tony.

 

[nathankershaw]

Good news mate, is that it for 2 years now or just 1?.

Tony.

Every 2 years

 

[t-tony]

Is that it then, they don't sample the gas coming out of the exhaust like in the UK?

Tony.

 

[Ianmc]

"Thank you for keeping your vehicle well maintained" - fantastic US comment Presumably it's OTR if it fails?

 

[nathankershaw]

Is that it then, they don't sample the gas coming out of the exhaust like in the UK?

Tony.

on OBD2 post 2000 cars they purely check codes...pre 2000 they do the whole rolling road sniffer test process...