Readiness monitors not setting -- Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Readiness monitors not setting -- Help
I am trying to get my 2004 C5 through California emissions testing this year and have an issue with two readiness monitors not resetting, the Evaporative system and the Catalyst monitoring. The car was modified with STS twin Turbo system (C.A.R.B. approved) in 2011 and has gone through emissions testing twice since then with flying colors. Now with this condition it won't pass. I'm in the process of putting it through some drive cycles as I have read a couple of posts and articles and all have suggested driving the car between 55 to 65 mph for 5 to 10 miles. I have checked the codes and there are none. I did have an issue with the Fuel trim but we found that and fixed that, (air leak at the connector hose to the air bridge over the radiator). All codes have been cleared now and all other monitors are set. The tech also did a "level 6" (that's what he called it) where he used an exhaust monitor and indicated the car was running very clean. His recommendation was to take it out and drive it.
Has anyone run into this before and if so what did you do.
Thanks/George
Has anyone run into this before and if so what did you do.
Thanks/George
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,030
Likes: 1,156
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
55 to 65 mph for 5 to 10 miles. May not get them set I ran into this with many Honda cars. You can get a cheap scanner that will show if the monitors are set
LOL 8VETTE7 got here b/4 me
LOL 8VETTE7 got here b/4 me
Last edited by Smoken1; Mar 19, 2016 at 05:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Clearing PCM codes and disconnecting the battery BOTH will reset the readiness monitors to NOT ready. THe C5 buily in code reader does NOT report the readiness monitors. You need to use one of the relatively inexpensive readers available at most parts stores to see those monitors or just have any parts store read the emissions codes.
A drive cycle is a lot more than just one 5 to 10 mile rip up the Interstate. Requires a variety of driving including stop and go traffic and multiple ignition cycles.
Here are a couple links that may help:
http://repairpal.com/how-to-perform-a-basic-drive-cycle
http://www.obdii.com/DRIVECYCLE.HTML
A drive cycle is a lot more than just one 5 to 10 mile rip up the Interstate. Requires a variety of driving including stop and go traffic and multiple ignition cycles.
Here are a couple links that may help:
http://repairpal.com/how-to-perform-a-basic-drive-cycle
http://www.obdii.com/DRIVECYCLE.HTML
I'm using a monitor that reads real time through a software app on my Ipad called DashCommand so I can read codes and monitor status.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 67
From: Bahama North Carolina
For the evap system to set fuel level is important. I think it needs to be about half a tank.
I noticed those instructions say accelerate at half to three quarters petal to 55 mph. Those people must have never drove a twin turbo car.
I noticed those instructions say accelerate at half to three quarters petal to 55 mph. Those people must have never drove a twin turbo car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
If I use 3/4 throttle I'll be over 55 in first gear.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
if you know someone who has hptuners you can fix it easily by having them set all of your codes to "3- no error reported" and everything will instantly set to ready when the key is turned on... then after the inspection is done you can revert back to your previous settings... that is much easier than doing fancy drive cycles and wasting time, gas, etc
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
if you know someone who has hptuners you can fix it easily by having them set all of your codes to "3- no error reported" and everything will instantly set to ready when the key is turned on... then after the inspection is done you can revert back to your previous settings... that is much easier than doing fancy drive cycles and wasting time, gas, etc
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
it should, my readiness monitors will automatically set as soon as the key is turned on... I have done it for a couple of friends that were having trouble and it worked, and like I said just revert back to your old settings afterwards... and when I said set all the codes I meant every single one of them, that way you don't have to worry about missing one
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
it should, my readiness monitors will automatically set as soon as the key is turned on... I have done it for a couple of friends that were having trouble and it worked, and like I said just revert back to your old settings afterwards... and when I said set all the codes I meant every single one of them, that way you don't have to worry about missing one
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
yeah, pretty much... you aren't really changing the tune itself, you will just be setting the pcm codes to no error reported, load that onto your pcm, get your inspection, and then change the codes back to what they were before... you don't want to leave all the codes set to no error reported for a long time because if a real issue pops up you will get no cel and have no idea what is going on... this is just a quick way to get around the readiness monitors
Last edited by StingrayRebel; Mar 20, 2016 at 01:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You're talking the AIR and catalyst monitors. Same as others have posted, set all the AIR codes and rear O2 codes to no SES and no-error reporting and you'll be good to go. In all honestly, there is little point in setting them back later unless you care to get a code when the AIR system or rear O2 sensors are not working.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
yeah, pretty much... you aren't really changing the tune itself, you will just be setting the pcm codes to no error reported, load that onto your pcm, get your inspection, and then change the codes back to what they were before... you don't want to leave all the codes set to no error reported for a long time because if a real issue pops up you will get no cel and have no idea what is going on... this is just a quick way to get around the readiness monitors
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Bill,
I'm moving your comment over to a thread that I created on my specific issues.
As I stated above "I am trying to get my 2004 C5 through California emissions testing this year and have an issue with two readiness monitors not resetting, the Evaporative system and the Catalyst monitoring."
I have access to and have used an app to do real time monitoring of the System and they have continued to confirm the above sensors. I must admit though that I've not do this recently as for now the car is registered in a California county that is exempt from Smog requirements. With the information above I was advised to drive the car and perform the GM drive cycle which I had done several times but did not resolve the issue. I've had two tech tell me that until the monitors set they would not recommend going forward with any type of repair as that would just be shooting in the dark. Based on what you said above and knowing the two monitors what would you recommend as my next steps?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, While I am somewhat of a garage mechanic this type of issue is above my pay grade.
I'm moving your comment over to a thread that I created on my specific issues.
"George
If you don't have tuning software, you can purchase a phone APP that interfaces with a Bluetooth dongle that you plug into your ALDL Link that can show you ALL live sensor data and the status of your emissions status flags. Once you determine which emissions flag that is not setting, that will allow you to pin point the issue.
You can also purchase an inexpensive scanner that can read live sensor data AND the emissions data flag status. That is the FIRST step in determining what is NOT Happy!
Bill"
If you don't have tuning software, you can purchase a phone APP that interfaces with a Bluetooth dongle that you plug into your ALDL Link that can show you ALL live sensor data and the status of your emissions status flags. Once you determine which emissions flag that is not setting, that will allow you to pin point the issue.
You can also purchase an inexpensive scanner that can read live sensor data AND the emissions data flag status. That is the FIRST step in determining what is NOT Happy!
Bill"
I have access to and have used an app to do real time monitoring of the System and they have continued to confirm the above sensors. I must admit though that I've not do this recently as for now the car is registered in a California county that is exempt from Smog requirements. With the information above I was advised to drive the car and perform the GM drive cycle which I had done several times but did not resolve the issue. I've had two tech tell me that until the monitors set they would not recommend going forward with any type of repair as that would just be shooting in the dark. Based on what you said above and knowing the two monitors what would you recommend as my next steps?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, While I am somewhat of a garage mechanic this type of issue is above my pay grade.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 245
Bill,
I'm moving your comment over to a thread that I created on my specific issues.
As I stated above "I am trying to get my 2004 C5 through California emissions testing this year and have an issue with two readiness monitors not resetting, the Evaporative system and the Catalyst monitoring."
I have access to and have used an app to do real time monitoring of the System and they have continued to confirm the above sensors. I must admit though that I've not do this recently as for now the car is registered in a California county that is exempt from Smog requirements. With the information above I was advised to drive the car and perform the GM drive cycle which I had done several times but did not resolve the issue. I've had two tech tell me that until the monitors set they would not recommend going forward with any type of repair as that would just be shooting in the dark. Based on what you said above and knowing the two monitors what would you recommend as my next steps?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, While I am somewhat of a garage mechanic this type of issue is above my pay grade.
I'm moving your comment over to a thread that I created on my specific issues.
As I stated above "I am trying to get my 2004 C5 through California emissions testing this year and have an issue with two readiness monitors not resetting, the Evaporative system and the Catalyst monitoring."
I have access to and have used an app to do real time monitoring of the System and they have continued to confirm the above sensors. I must admit though that I've not do this recently as for now the car is registered in a California county that is exempt from Smog requirements. With the information above I was advised to drive the car and perform the GM drive cycle which I had done several times but did not resolve the issue. I've had two tech tell me that until the monitors set they would not recommend going forward with any type of repair as that would just be shooting in the dark. Based on what you said above and knowing the two monitors what would you recommend as my next steps?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, While I am somewhat of a garage mechanic this type of issue is above my pay grade.
trust I've done my testing and compared it to another car i had.
Do yourself a favor and go for a nice drive in some back roads then freeway and lastly street. The o2 heaters take the longest to turn on.
Yeah i tried everything from letting the car idle for 1 hour to wot on the backroads and still didnt cut it lol.