I have a '99 Sentra that is up for inspection in March. The check engine light has been on for more than a year about some lame ass sensor that has affected nothing. I heard that your inspection goes through the NC DMV now so my typical mechanic that passes me regardless of my cars condition will be useless. Basically, my question is, since I do not want to spend $300 bucks for some bullshit sensor can I get it inspected without going through the DMV computer system. Or is that thing I heard about having to go through said system total shit?

2/19/2008 12:29:54 AM

depends on what county the vehicle is registered in.

2/19/2008 12:31:28 AM

Stokes

2/19/2008 12:31:44 AM

yes, you have to get the check engine light taken care of before it will pass inspection. no, you can't just take the bulb out or something. your vehicle's computer actually has to communicate with the inspection station/dmv computer that there are no problems.

don't automatically assume it's something that's going to cost you. it's very simple stuff sometimes, if even anything at all. reset the computer by unhooking the negative battery terminal. if the light comes on again, you can have the codes pulled for free at autozone.

2/19/2008 12:39:33 AM

what is the code or sensor? Probably something cheap and can be fixed easily. I had an 02 sensor go bad and it was a piece of cake. Also had an error code saying there were problems with my MAF sensor. Unplugged it, blew it out and put it back on. Haven't had a problem with it since.

[Edited on February 19, 2008 at 12:55 AM. Reason : ]

2/19/2008 12:52:55 AM

I don't remember the code but it is some crazy shit that no one at auto zone had ever heard of. The local mechanics were of no help. I eventually took it to some Nissan computers specialist guy that fixed it. I spent $texas and the shit came back on the next week.

If I recall correctly, the code said

"VLC valve closure failure"

2/19/2008 8:07:28 AM

Quote :

"no, you can't just take the bulb out or something."

You can reset the check engine light though.

Or go to Clyde Fulk.

[Edited on February 19, 2008 at 6:58 PM. Reason : ]

2/19/2008 6:58:00 PM

yeah, you can reset it but you can't just immediately take it to be inspected afterwards. the computer has to go through all of its checks before it shows as "ready" which generally equates to about 150-200 miles of driving.

2/19/2008 7:32:47 PM

Or about 10 miles when I did it last month.

2/19/2008 8:16:56 PM

without going into specifics of the EXTREMELY limited scenarios that could happen in with a long winded post, i'll sum it up with you either didn't fully reset the computer like you think or you have a freak of a car. if you did in fact fully reset the computer, you should have bought a lottery ticket instead for the odds you beat.

[Edited on February 19, 2008 at 9:19 PM. Reason : .]

2/19/2008 9:04:02 PM

^^batmobile

2/19/2008 9:45:27 PM

^^ Ja, you need cold starts/warm starts, temperature range and about a bazillion other things to happen before the computer would be ready. Highly unlikely within 10 miles, but whatever. A 300 mile drive in one sitting wouldn't do it either...
Ahmet

2/19/2008 9:57:50 PM

I'm not saying I fully understand the mechanics of my car's ECU, but I reset the light (which has been on for about a year), immediately drove ten or so miles to the inspection station, and passed the full inspection without a hitch.

HOORAY FOR ME BILLY

HOORAY FOR ME

2/19/2008 10:03:18 PM

yeah, i'm not doubting you... just saying the computer wasn't completely cleared or you've got a freak of an ecu. what procedure did you use to reset the light and what year/make vehicle? depending on the code, it's possible to get the light off without setting all the monitors to "not ready".

2/20/2008 12:46:05 AM

[hijack]
Is having heat necessary to pass inspection? My heating coil hasn't worked since September or so, and it's too expensive for me to get it fixed at the moment.
[/hijack]

2/22/2008 3:07:50 PM

it doesnt matter.

as long as there is no check engine light.

search for the official inspection thread (maybe on page 2, or lower on page 1)

or just search my name.

it should answer any questions

2/22/2008 3:36:40 PM

Quote :

"I'm not saying I fully understand the mechanics of my car's ECU, but I reset the light (which has been on for about a year), immediately drove ten or so miles to the inspection station, and passed the full inspection without a hitch."

Yep cept mine was about a .5mile drive.

2/22/2008 4:40:14 PM

Quote :

"yeah, i'm not doubting you... just saying the computer wasn't completely cleared or you've got a freak of an ecu. what procedure did you use to reset the light and what year/make vehicle? depending on the code, it's possible to get the light off without setting all the monitors to "not ready". "

I have heard of resetting the computer, then driving directly to the inspection station, not cycling the ignition at all and then passing the inspection without having to set the readiness codes. I have only heard of doing this, will try and confirm if it is possible next week.

2/22/2008 6:24:37 PM

^I've done that before.

2/22/2008 9:59:52 PM

"VLC valve closure failure"

maybe its like PCV...or something else to do with your evap system. If that was the case that shit can be tricky to track down.

2/22/2008 11:03:51 PM

last year I had the check engine light on for MAF sensor error and a misfire. I wiggled the connector for the MAF sensor and changed the plugs and wires. Went to advance again to have them check it and it only showed the misfire code and he reset it after I told him I had changed the plugs/wires. Went straight to Jiffy Lube but it failed because of a couple things being "Not Ready". After a trip to wilmington and back, it passed.

[Edited on February 22, 2008 at 11:17 PM. Reason : ]

2/22/2008 11:15:15 PM

Couple more questions...

If I reset it, how much should I drive to ready the ECU, and how long until the light would come back on?

Also, what is the deal if your inspection is out of date? I am from stokes county, as previously mentioned, and I was wondering if they would mail my ass a ticket on april 1st, or do you get some sort of warning or grace period?

3/25/2008 6:25:48 PM

Just don't get pulled.

I had a friend who let his inspection go for 2+ years and they didn't care when he actually did get it inspected.

I drove my car about 30 miles after resetting CEL before getting it inspected and it passed fine. I believe on my nissan it is 30-60 miles.

3/25/2008 10:11:01 PM

Quote :

"spend $300 bucks for some bullshit sensor"

ughhh i'm going through this same thing. my car is getting fixed right now and its like 300 something. stupid stupid stupid

Quote :

"I had a friend who let his inspection go for 2+ years and they didn't care when he actually did get it inspected."

how did this work? my inspection was a couple of months over due one year and they sent me all these warnings in the mail. they'll eventually fine you AND it has insurance implications also. i don't really know how you can let your inspection go for over 2 years without any negative consequences.

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 12:08 PM. Reason : edit]

3/26/2008 12:06:49 PM

hmm...this reminds me that I gotta get my truck inspected next month.

3/26/2008 12:16:38 PM

If you have emissions you can go no longer than 6 months without a fine.

3/26/2008 10:00:38 PM

I suppose if your check engine light is on due to a non emissions related malfunction (vtech actuator), and you reset THAT (not interfere with the emissions control readiness codes), it shouldn't influence how soon you can get the car inspected. I'm speculating with the above. I do know that if the ECU is fully reset, the car simply will not be ready in one short drive...
Ahmet

3/26/2008 10:07:09 PM