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Im in a bind - Failed CA smog test for "Modified Software"
Hello and thanks for reading my post.
My smog check to renew my California registration by September 14th is due. I am in a situation where I have no idea how to resolve.
I will attach a photo of my smog test results here. Has anyone had a problem of a CA smog fail because "the vehicle's computer does not match an accepted configuration" ?
When I bought this Corvette in 2017 the seller had a pass smog certificate upon the sale. Two years ago my first smog test for registration renewal, the smog test passed with no problem. I have not modified the computer or anything else on my Corvette since I purchased it. I've only done the oil changes, nothing else.
The smog technician who ran the test mentioned that the California smog standards or laws have just been changed recently to detect a non-factory computer tune is now illegal. It was not disclosed to me on purchase from the seller that the computer software had been modified.
I found out by calling a specialist in vehicle computer software and programming issues that he could not do anything to change the situation back to factory settings. He said that someone had plugged in an external performance tuner computer that reset the factory codes to enhance it's performance. There was not a way for him to know what tuning codes that a performance shop or whoever had used.
I have never heard of this issue before and I have no recourse on what was used to modify my Corvette's computer. The local GM dealership when I contacted them of this issue, referred me to a couple of specialists phone # to advise me and perform onboard computer work, also said they could not do anything about this issue.
I'm at a loss of my $26,000 investment if I cannot have it pass the new California smog standard and get my registration renewal by mid September.
I'm disappointed and I'm not privy to this situation to go forward. I may have to send the CA DMV a Planned Non-Operation fee. Then My Corvette will sit in the garage for me to only look at and start up to keep the battery charged.
Apparently in California smog requirements is - what was once legal, has now become ILLEGAL. Thanks again for reading this post. FYI
Does anyone want to buy a nice well kept 2007 C^ Z51 Corvette as is? I will sell it for a reasonable price. If that is, I cannot find a resolution to this smog situation.
First off, you need to verify that it's actually tuned. Are there mods to it? Cam, longtubes, etc? People don't often tune a bone stock car, you know.
Second, you need to find out why they think it's modified. It could be something as simple as a "not ready" condition because the battery was recently disconnected.
The real solution here is to vote out the idiots you've elected over the years and try to fix your state.
First off, you need to verify that it's actually tuned. Are there mods to it? Cam, longtubes, etc? People don't often tune a bone stock car, you know.
Second, you need to find out why they think it's modified. It could be something as simple as a "not ready" condition because the battery was recently disconnected.
The real solution here is to vote out the idiots you've elected over the years and try to fix your state.
The only mods it had done before I bought it is an after market MBRP Inc exhaust, and an after market cold air intake. No performance cam or engine mods that I know of. California smog laws are getting more unreasonable, among other things going on here. You know...
Take it back to the ******* dealer & make them pass it
I did not see anywhere that he said he bought it from a dealer. Maybe I missed that.
He bought it over two years ago. There is no liability on anyone who did something two years ago that was legal at the time, but has changed.
For the OP...if there are any tuners left in CA, find one and have them set it back to stock tune. I would think that would not be a difficult issue for anyone who knows what they are doing.
Have you called a local dealer for help? Give that a try, and here is a hint. Don't run down the whole sad tale...they don't want to here it. Just tell them a PO had a non-factory tune put in your car, and can they put it back to stock. Yes, or no. The more you start explaining all the BG, the further you get into the weeds, and dealers do not work in the weeds. Same thing for any local tuner. I think there are also out of state tuners who will re-flash your ECU/ECM back to stock if you send it to them. Start making calls...
Last edited by buckmeister2; 08-17-2021 at 09:12 PM.
One reason when I had my modified Mustang GT in San Diego I kept it tagged in Missouri. I was lucky enough to have a Missouri address also, which I know most people can't do.
Also I worked with some Subaru kids that knew how I could get it passed if I wanted to pay an extra couple hundred bucks.
My smog check to renew my California registration by September 14th is due. I am in a situation where I have no idea how to resolve.
I will attach a photo of my smog test results here. Has anyone had a problem of a CA smog fail because "the vehicle's computer does not match an accepted configuration" ?
When I bought this Corvette in 2017 the seller had a pass smog certificate upon the sale. Two years ago my first smog test for registration renewal, the smog test passed with no problem. I have not modified the computer or anything else on my Corvette since I purchased it. I've only done the oil changes, nothing else.
The smog technician who ran the test mentioned that the California smog standards or laws have just been changed recently to detect a non-factory computer tune is now illegal. It was not disclosed to me on purchase from the seller that the computer software had been modified.
I found out by calling a specialist in vehicle computer software and programming issues that he could not do anything to change the situation back to factory settings. He said that someone had plugged in an external performance tuner computer that reset the factory codes to enhance it's performance. There was not a way for him to know what tuning codes that a performance shop or whoever had used.
I have never heard of this issue before and I have no recourse on what was used to modify my Corvette's computer. The local GM dealership when I contacted them of this issue, referred me to a couple of specialists phone # to advise me and perform onboard computer work, also said they could not do anything about this issue.
I'm at a loss of my $26,000 investment if I cannot have it pass the new California smog standard and get my registration renewal by mid September.
I'm disappointed and I'm not privy to this situation to go forward. I may have to send the CA DMV a Planned Non-Operation fee. Then My Corvette will sit in the garage for me to only look at and start up to keep the battery charged.
Apparently in California smog requirements is - what was once legal, has now become ILLEGAL. Thanks again for reading this post. FYI
Does anyone want to buy a nice well kept 2007 C^ Z51 Corvette as is? I will sell it for a reasonable price. If that is, I cannot find a resolution to this smog situation.
The only mods it had done before I bought it is an after market MBRP Inc exhaust, and an after market cold air intake. No performance cam or engine mods that I know of. California smog laws are getting more unreasonable, among other things going on here. You know...
What did they say triggered it as being "modified computer"? Neither of those mods would be something that people would tune for. And the MBRP exhaust is, how to put this nicely.... It's budget friendly. Budget focus people don't spend a couple hundred on a tune for no reason. Does your paperwork indicate anything that triggered this? It's not like they'd have a copy of every stock tune, so they're clearly looking at something pretty simple to determine it. I bet it's looking for a "not ready" or something like that from an emissions system, which could be an easier fix.
Information on the law. And for the OP it does state “if you unknowingly purchased a vehicle that’s had the ECU modified, you can file a complaint with BAR”.
What did they say triggered it as being "modified computer"? Neither of those mods would be something that people would tune for. And the MBRP exhaust is, how to put this nicely.... It's budget friendly. Budget focus people don't spend a couple hundred on a tune for no reason. Does your paperwork indicate anything that triggered this? It's not like they'd have a copy of every stock tune, so they're clearly looking at something pretty simple to determine it. I bet it's looking for a "not ready" or something like that from an emissions system, which could be an easier fix.
The SMOG station won't say anything to you if you fail for the above -
More than likely the previous owner had the ECU (PCM) accessed and it was either (1) Dyno tuned (2) street tuned (3) or something altered in the programming that made it fail -
Anything that changes the CVN (Checksum) numbers in the ECU will make it fail - example: transmission tune, change a shift point, timing, turn off a code (which is what could of been done), change the rear gear ratio, etc.
No matter what you do to a ECU you change the CVN (Checksum) numbers for any given table and if you do not have the stock tune saved in a file for your vehicle with the VIN and GM Part number that came with it and you download that back in, it will fail because it will be altered and the original numbers will not be the same - you cannot even build a stock tune from another stock tune and save it because all the CVN (Checksum) numbers in the ECU will change each time you change a table or cell -
Anyone will have to go to the GM Dealership and have their ECU (PCM) re-flashed with their VIN number and stock part number - the quote is around $425.00 to have the ECU re-flashed and more than likely if the SMOG tech is not cool, put the stock equipment back on to pass the visual too -
Information on the law. And for the OP it does state “if you unknowingly purchased a vehicle that’s had the ECU modified, you can file a complaint with BAR”.
However, I would not go to the BAR man, they will go over your vehicle with a fine tooth comb and find other things they are not there for - best bet is to get it re-flashed at GM and move on!
That takes some serious stones to rewrite the CVN numbers (if that is what we are talking about) the price for getting caught is really high for that tampering..
However, everyone is different and has their limit with this State.
I shared a link and found others that do it out of the country, need to send a copy of the Original stock tune file and your current tune file and they will rewrite it with all the stock CVN Checksum numbers in the proper place.
I assume the price charged is not inexpensive and will co$t the vehicle owner.
I decided not to go that route myself but I'm sure many will be exploring this very avenue.
I'm so fed up with California and this garbage and whatever else is going to happen, like you're not allowed to drive gasoline operated vehicles on the road during certain hours and days, only EV vehicles or something completely foul like that! Lol
Thanks,Matt
Last edited by madmatt9471; 08-18-2021 at 12:43 AM.
I agree FAUEE. The exhaust is nice and loud, yet I never heard of this company before. The previous owner did not drop the money for the best in upgrades I now know. The California Smog Check Vehicle Inspection Report gives no more info or details on the issue on why the state smog computer test disagrees with my Corvette's computer configuration, or a remedy for the failed test. I'm on my own for solving the state smog test result. I'm grateful for the members here swooping in on this tech issue I have and leaving informative comments. With due diligence and patience I will get this resolved. Thanks to you and all here better informed than I am! My Best
You could run over to Reno, rent a cheap apartment for a month, register to vote, get a NV driver license, register your car and get NV plates, then have your mail forwarded to CA. That'd hold off the CA MVD for a year, until you make the real move to a different State.
Good share HOXXOH, I'm not sure if my wife would agree with that move to Reno. Times like these we need to be creative. I want to keep my C6 intact and legal.
California is a pretty state, yet it's oppressive on taxes, regulations, political correctness, SJW's and insane politics, on and on... It is costly to live here, to be sure.
I may do better to drive my Corvette to Texas. Here is a tune I like the sound of >
08-17-2021, 06:51 PM
Im in a bind - Failed CA smog test for "Modified Software"
Here is a tune I like the sound of >