I/M Smog Readiness - HCCAT & PM Hell - Why are drive cycles a mystery?

[bsteg7]

My ECO Diesel Gladiator sat for a few months on a battery tender. I went to smog it and they said no dice, not ready. They asked if my battery had died, i said no and plugged in my OBD2 monitor to find two readiness flags no set, HCCAT and PM. Since it had a fuel pump recall I took it to the dealer and asked them to look at smog readiness. They replaced the fuel filter and claimed 'low battery' and said they charged the battery and ran a 'drive cycle'. When I got home and plugged in my OBD2 reader I now had 7 of 9 readiness flags NOT set. I then researched drive cycles to find no clear answers and lots of differing theories. I drove a couple theoretical drive cycles. I found that all flags reset except the same old HCCAT & PM that started my journey. Back to square one. Since i have driven numerous theoretical drive cycles, hot, cold, long, short, etc to avail.

Why are actual drive cycles such a friggin' mystery? Anybody ever clear HCCAT & PM?

Sponsored

 

[Maximus Gladius]

I think driving it a bit and over a few days will clear things up. I don’t have the diesel but when I’ve reset stuff, all my smog readiness goes red, no codes but after driving 60 kms/day over several days, the only thing left to self clear is the EGR.

 

[Chris A]

These systems are a bit quirky and it seems most mechanics don’t really understand how to diagnose. I have two ecodiesel’s on is a Promaster van with a different 4 cylinder 3.0 Iveco engine. I have been trying to learn how to diagnose as the dealer is just too expensive and seems to diagnose via the parts canon. I highly recommend O’Rileys Autos channel on YouTube. He’s a mobile mechanic and all he does is service these emissions systems on vehicles in the UK. Although everyone seems to think they are different I have found they are about the same. He serviced one van that wouldn’t do a regen BC the temp sensor in the side view mirror has not working. I have been using AutoProFi DPF cleaner found on amazon. My van runs considerably better! This mechanic also recommends resisting doing forced regen as it frequently destroys the DPF.

 

[DylanM]

Best I could find was a mention on a RAM forum that the vehicle needs to see two successful regens to clear both of those monitors. Supposedly forced regens won't clear them.

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Not sure if this relates but i too ran into Smogging issues recently.

So i just dealt with a similar if not the same issue back in December my registration was due at the end of Jan. So I took it to the dealer for smog check, they plugged in their Accel reader and told me that i was not ready and that it was waiting to see a readiness check for the NMHC. They insisted that i needed to force it to do a regen. first with so many miles driven. After driving aout 250 miles, i took it back and they checked again and said no, still not ready. They they tried to tell me i needed to run a specific drive cycle to force it to regen. Tried that about half a dozen times, still nothing. I asked them what am i suppose to do if it cannot pass smog in time. They basically told me my only other option was to go to DMV and ask for an extension if this was not resolved.

That was not an option. So i ended to taking to an Shop thats been flying around on here for a while and Trail Recon uses them, Shift Autowerx. Talked to Jerry the owner (former Jeep tech.) and he connected me to his Smog guy who specializes and stays up to date on all the requirements, his name was Cisco. He was able to explain to me that the NMHC readiness check will not show. Also, it is currently exempt from the Smog requirement.

He ran my smog check passed with no issues, New tags came right in. its a shame you would think the Dealer of all places should be up on Smog requirements for serviceing.

I would recommend calling these guys, even if you cannot go to their shop, wealth of knowledge.

To further this proof, he sent me to this link, lots of good info.
https://www.bar.ca.gov/obd-test-reference

 

[Lost1wing]

Drive it. When it goes through a regen, I bet those two will have the readiness set.

It is not a drive cycle thing. When the particulate filter needs cleaning, the computer will trigger a regen.

 

[CrazyCooter]

I had similar issues after the dealer replaced my DPF last year and smog is due this month. I ended taking my RV out for a moto trip that was 120 miles each way and she was ready to go after the first one way trip.

 

[Gladi8r_22]

Drive it. When it goes through a regen, I bet those two will have the readiness set.

It is not a drive cycle thing. When the particulate filter needs cleaning, the computer will trigger a regen.

The issue was I didn't need to actually do a regen, what they were claiming was they needed to see that the OBD was showing ready for a regen. They flat out told me they didn't care if I did a regen while driving it around. They wanted to see that it was in a state of readiness. But in any case, based on thr link I added above, CARB had put out an exemption for that specific readiness sensor to not require to be activate to pass smog.

That's why thr other shop ignored that error code and proceeded with the smog test, and passed.

Hang in there, hopefully new Administration means we may see some changes, at least here in Cali.

 

[Vtur]

I think it's bs that diesels requires smog right away while the gas vehicles aren't require until 8 years old. And, we all pays the commercial fee even though it's for personal use.

 

[guarnibl]

Sorry to bump. But I can't get my '21 Gladiator ecodiesel to pass in AZ. Those two monitors are the ones that are NOT READY, and even in 1000 miles, will not go to READY. So somehow this vehicle will pass emissions in California, but not Arizona. Makes me wonder why those are exempted in Cali.

 

[Lost1wing]

Could take over 1000 miles. It may require 2 successful regens and that is why it takes a while to set the readiness.

You can get yourself an OBD2 reader. You can see the readiness before you go in for a test. A good reader will tell you tome from last regen and avg miles between regens.

 

[guarnibl]

Could take over 1000 miles. It may require 2 successful regens and that is why it takes a while to set the readiness.

You can get yourself an OBD2 reader. You can see the readiness before you go in for a test. A good reader will tell you tome from last regen and avg miles between regens.

Yeah just picked one up on Amazon for $50 but doubtful it’ll tell me that. But that’s ok. As long as it tells me if it’s ready or not in the I/M area.

 

[guarnibl]

Will JScan show me all the I/M monitors including NCAT (NMHC Catalyst) and PM filter?

 

[Chris A]

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/do...m-readiness-14k-pounds-gwr-best-practices.pdf

Some pretty boring stuff but I scanned through and saw 2 interesting things.
1. Those items can take upwards of 8 weeks to set.
2. HCAT is either DPF or SCR best I can tell and you need upwards of 45 drive cycles plus the mileage.

Basically the system is setup to stop people from clearing codes just to pass inspection and the computer wants to see multiple cycles of the emission system to verify it is working correctly. You have no codes stored or that were cleared? Do you have a scan tool to monitor live data? My Promaster is older than my Gladiator and I have taken to repairing myself due to lack of finding competent service personnel.

Nox sensor 2 should be very low compared to sensor 1, about 75% reduction if I recall.
DPF differential pressure should be less than 10 mbar at idle and I think 50 mbar at 3k. Also look a soot load. Runs up to 90+ % and does an active regen down to 7-8% if I recall.

I am not a mechanic but am fairly technically minded and done a fair amount of research.

If everything is working looks like you just need more drive cycles.

 

[guarnibl]

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/do...m-readiness-14k-pounds-gwr-best-practices.pdf

Some pretty boring stuff but I scanned through and saw 2 interesting things.
1. Those items can take upwards of 8 weeks to set.
2. HCAT is either DPF or SCR best I can tell and you need upwards of 45 drive cycles plus the mileage.

Basically the system is setup to stop people from clearing codes just to pass inspection and the computer wants to see multiple cycles of the emission system to verify it is working correctly. You have no codes stored or that were cleared? Do you have a scan tool to monitor live data? My Promaster is older than my Gladiator and I have taken to repairing myself due to lack of finding competent service personnel.

Nox sensor 2 should be very low compared to sensor 1, about 75% reduction if I recall.
DPF differential pressure should be less than 10 mbar at idle and I think 50 mbar at 3k. Also look a soot load. Runs up to 90+ % and does an active regen down to 7-8% if I recall.

I am not a mechanic but am fairly technically minded and done a fair amount of research.

If everything is working looks like you just need more drive cycles.

Thank you.

It all started from a battery going dead... I had to replace both batteries (AUX + Main) and therefore it lost all memory. This happened right before I had to test for emissions.

I purchased a JSCAN-approved wireless OBD II dongle from Amazon that arrives tomorrow. I'm hoping I can just use JSCAN on my iPhone to monitor those emissions monitors (and the equipment), as well as the time between regens (as it's alluded to you need at least two regens to trigger this to 'Ready').

That being said, I find it very strange that California allows two of these sensors to be 'Not Ready' and pass... yet Arizona requires ALL OF THEM BUT ONE to be 'Ready.' Either way... I'm stuck. At this point, I have to apply for a 90-day waiver, and that can be done 'ONCE' in the entire vehicle history. I already tried a 30-day extension and couldn't get it to pass, so now my registration is expired. So basically, if this happens again in the future, and it takes a while to 'Ready' it again... I may have to sell the vehicle as you can't simply 'repair' it without driving it on public roadways.

Also, I'm assuming PM FILTER AND NMHC Catalyst likely go READY together... thus the regen statement.

Sponsored