My 2000 Sentra Did NOT Pass Smog? WHY!!!!?

Question

Ok so heres the deal.....I took my 2000 Sentra SE to get a smog check....I live in California..so I passed all the emissions tests....but I have a check engine code on the computer....now the check engine light is NOT on....just a code on the computer...So my car did not pass because of this! I said to the guy "so any car in california that has a check engine light/code on will not pass smog" he said thats correct. Does this sound right to you guys?

Answer 1

SURE DOES!! THEY DID AWAY WITH SMOG TESTING IN MY STATE A FEW YEARS BACK BUT THEY AWAYS PLUGGED INTO DIAGNOSTIC PORT TO CHECK. WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON THERE IS WHAT IS CALLED A HARD FAILURE NOW THE LIGHT IS OFF MEANS THAT THE CAUSE OF WHAT TURNED THE LIGHT ON IS NOW BACK WITHIN SPECS AND WORKING PROPERLY. THE CODE HAS TO BE CLEARED & THE CAR WILL PROBABLY PASS. THE CODE WILL SOONER OR LATER COME BACK AND HAVE TO BE FIXED. PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING IS ENOUGH TO TURN THE LIGHT ON.   HOPE THIS HELPS. P/S I'M NOT SHOUTING   bye

Answer 2

It sounds like it sounded when I went through the same thing with my impeccably running Saturn recently.  It's a rip off, thank Uncle Arnold for another way to gouge us.  It's getting to be a bit crazy, like one has to pay some form of luxury tax on everything to live in the "Golden State"    Chit.  Sorry, bro, I was peed-off about this for a month!  I'm in the process of buying a mule.

Mean Mike

Answer 3

This is correct.

It is the same for OBD2 vehicle testing in Texas.

Code in the computer or the CE light is on or the bulb is taped over or not working?

Fail.

Answer 4

Go to the Auto zone (or equivalent parts store) they can reset the code for you. Often for free.

All the smog check stuff pre-dated Arnold BTW.

Regards,

Eric