Hi everyone. Well, I live in California and we have the strictest smog check laws. Anyways, about 3 weeks ago my check engine light goes on. The last time this happened, it was because of the gas cap. Removed and put back on 3 times and the engine light went off. I went a couple of days ago to get it (96 A4 coupe) smogged so I can get my registration. I was worried that it wouldn't pass or that most importantly, they were not going to smog my car because I don't have mufflers. Brought the car in and they didn't mention anything about the missing mufflers and I passed with pretty amazing numbers. Everything that was measured from my car said that my car passed with flying colors. Here's the thing. I was driving home and my check engine light went on again. I thought that if your check engine light had been on, that the code would be stored so how did I pass the smog check. I mean I just drove it about 5 miles when the light went on again. What's funny is that I was looking forward to finally hearing my exhaust from the outside because I'm always the driver but when I was in the waiting room listening for my car exhaust, I never heard it. When I looked out the room, my car was all ready to gon in the parking lot. I do know some of the same people as the smog techs so I might have "gotten-away" with something but any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance, Ed.

 

I would get a scanner hooked up and see what code is appearing.

 

I'm going to do that next week. There's a little Chinese lady who runs an auto and exhaust shop. Anyone can come by and she will scan your car for free (instead of getting ripped off by paying a garage at least $30 to tell me the same info) and tell you what might be wrong. Because of her, I've saved a lot of money on repairs without going into the car blind. What is really surprising to me is that my car has a code but it still passed.

 

Usually that will keep your car from passing. Make sure you bring her some flowers.

 

That's funny buy people do. Honestly, she's great and also receives a lot of flowers and candy which she always share with everyone. She's also very honest. Like on my 96. She told me that they didn't have anyone that is very familiar with my car and she didn't want to risk messing up my car just for money.

 

Around here the parts stores scan for free. Some do it for you, and some let you do it. The ones that do it for you, dont usually erase it though, so I go to the ones that let me do it. h

 

After reading from here that those part stores reads it for free, I tried with all the parts stores and none of the chain part stores do it. The funny thing, the guy at O'Reily's is the person who directed me to Lisa the owner of the auto and exhaust shop

 

with 383. You have to get the codes read to find out what the origin of the problem. Once you know the code, you can solve the problem.

 

I've always believed that if your engine light goes on, no matter what code, you will definitely fail the smog test. Are there any exceptions to this?

 

For most errors, the Check engine light only comes on after the 2nd encounter of the problem. After the 1st encounter, a 'history' code is stored. History codes DO NOT cause emission inspection failures.

Check engine light will also turn off after a certain number of runs where the error does not re-occur. The number of runs varies and depends on the error.

So whereas the check engine light came on after your departure from the inspection facility, since while it was there it was not on, you were passed just as anyone else would have been.

 

Thats too funny, cause O'rielly's is where I go to do it myself. You give them your drivers license, and they hand you the scanner. Weird how the same store would have different policies. AutoZone here, is the one that will do it for you, but wont erase the codes. Im in Seattle, Wa.. Where are you? h

 

Your car has the ability to tell you the codes without a scanner, so check out these links (all years so nobody gets left out):

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574918379-post18.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...n-96-cars.html
http://corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/codes.htm

What the error codes mean:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1576116036-post35.html

 

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco doesn't have any Auto Zones so I went to the one in the next city. We have O'Reily's but when I called them ,they said that they don't read the codes for you. I didn't call Auto Zone because I saw that many on this board go there so I went there. When I got there, I was told that they didn't do the readings either. That's when he referred me to Lisa.

 

That sucks! I guess its a good thing you got Lisa. If you ever decide to get one, you can find quite an assortment on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40 Merry Chrismas! h