"Emissions" Testing Rant

3,720 Views | 28 Replies | Last: 2 days ago by DDub74
ramblin_ag02
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9:31a, 6/18/25
AG
My son took our rebuilt Miata for an emissions test as we live in an unlucky county. They wouldn't pass him due to an OBD code. The code? "Speed gauge error". No kidding! We changed the rear differential ratio and now the speedometer is wrong. So we didn't reconnect it, and we use a digital GPS speedometer. But apparently they can't emissions test the car, because "it is not optimally functional". What does an inaccurate speedometer have to do with an emissions test? Best I can tell they just hooked up an OBD reader and looked for codes. Might as well have the kid use our reader to clear the code before he gets out of the car at the inspection place. What a joke and waste of time.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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BrazosDog02
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10:57a, 6/18/25
AG
Nothing.

Doesn't help you buy my best friend in high school worked for an emissions testing place. For a couple of dollars, he'd make that all go away. Somehow he tested other working vehicles and associated them with the VIN of yours. I don't know. I only use sketchy inspection places for this reason. It's a joke. My current one doesn't even get in the car. He just takes the money and prints out the paper for you. Sometimes he makes me honk the horn. LOL.
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agnerd
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In reply to ramblin_ag02 • 11:14a, 6/18/25
AG
ramblin_ag02 said:
Might as well have the kid use our reader to clear the code before he gets out of the car at the inspection place.
Good inspection places can see that you just did that, and have you come back later in the day once the codes have had time to reset.
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ramblin_ag02
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In reply to agnerd • 11:17a, 6/18/25
AG
agnerd said:
ramblin_ag02 said:
Might as well have the kid use our reader to clear the code before he gets out of the car at the inspection place.
Good inspection places can see that you just did that, and have you come back later in the day once the codes have had time to reset.
Because it's critically vital to the air quality of Texas that I use the stock speedometer?
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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Flaith
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11:35a, 6/18/25
AG
I can see how that might be necessary as part of the safety inspection, but those went away.

Failing the emissions test due to a CEL for something unrelated to emissions, lambda readings, etc, seems like lazy policy.
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Absolute
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1:56p, 6/18/25
AG
File a complaint? Seriously. That seems like overstepping. It is clearly not an emissions problem.
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cochrum
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5:04p, 6/18/25
AG
I'd just go to the next shop down the road and check, and the next one, and the next one...until I get a pass.
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agnerd
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In reply to cochrum • 5:09p, 6/18/25
AG
cochrum said:
I'd just go to the next shop down the road and check, and the next one, and the next one...until I get a pass.
But he's already in the system as having failed an inspection. Even shady shops don't like to pass you after you failed somewhere else. That can definitely attract unwanted attention from the state.
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to ramblin_ag02 • 5:13p, 6/18/25
AG
While agreeing the emissions check is nonsense, couldn't you get a shop to reprogram the ecm for the current ratio?
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80085
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5:17p, 6/18/25
AG
Several emissions related routines in the ecu are dependent on the vehicle speed. decel fuel cut offs, canister vent purges, idle speed control reset are just a few things that could need that input

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ramblin_ag02
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 5:47p, 6/18/25
AG
CanyonAg77 said:
While agreeing the emissions check is nonsense, couldn't you get a shop to reprogram the ecm for the current ratio?
I'm just going to plug the thing back in and the code will go away. It's not hard, but it's a couple hours work to jack the car up and take off the shroud. Just ranting about how stupid the whole thing is. I could buy an electronic converter for $250 to make the speedometer match the new rear diff ratio, but the GPS speedometer works fine.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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redaszag99
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7:18p, 6/18/25
Just file the affidavit online that the vehicle is out of state and order your tags
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to ramblin_ag02 • 9:34p, 6/18/25
AG
Well, okay. I'm thinking someone with a scan tool could do it in a few minutes
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ramblin_ag02
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 10:10p, 6/18/25
AG
I'll look into that. I spent a little bit trying to find a solution before settling on the $20 GPS dash speedometer. I didn't see a way to change the ECU, but I'll look again
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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Absolute
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6:54a, 6/19/25
AG
I bought this to read codes. It will clear them as well. Worked well for me.

https://a.co/d/cNA8Sv8
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RCR06
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7:49a, 6/19/25
AG
I tried the clearing the code thing once. Their machine will show that everything has been cleared recently. Once you drive "x" miles it can be retested(this is stored in the computer on your vehicle somehow), but the code will normally pop back up in that time frame. I'm speaking in generalities, dont know about OP's specific vehicle or this specific code.
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Absolute
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In reply to RCR06 • 8:20a, 6/19/25
AG
That sucks
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Flaith
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In reply to 80085 • 8:50a, 6/19/25
AG
80085 said:
Several emissions related routines in the ecu are dependent on the vehicle speed. decel fuel cut offs, canister vent purges, idle speed control reset are just a few things that could need that input

80085 makes a couple of very good points to look at here
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to Absolute • 10:26a, 6/19/25
AG
Absolute said:
I bought this to read codes. It will clear them as well. Worked well for me.
Yes, it can download and clear codes.

As said above, the emissions checker can tell they have been cleared.

A code checker will not allow you to tune the ECM by changing parameters like tire size and gear ratio
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MouthBQ98
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12:35p, 6/19/25
AG
That emissions stuff should be working off the VSS and not the tach feed or speedometer feed, I should think. Maybe some manufacturers are not so bright and use the speedometer feed instead of going off the vss feed.
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BrazosDog02
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In reply to ramblin_ag02 • 1:15p, 6/19/25
AG
ramblin_ag02 said:
agnerd said:
ramblin_ag02 said:
Might as well have the kid use our reader to clear the code before he gets out of the car at the inspection place.
Good inspection places can see that you just did that, and have you come back later in the day once the codes have had time to reset.
Because it's critically vital to the air quality of Texas that I use the stock speedometer?
We need to make sure that everyone who CAN afford the time, ass pain, effort, and money to have the vehicle inspected, is aptly compelled to do so.

Pay no attention to the lady down the street with 9 kids, piled into a 1984 Impala with 3 bald spares, a dragging tailpipe, and no functional headlights or windows.
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HollywoodBQ
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4:56p, 10/28/25
AG
This looked like the best thread to piggy back on.

I got the registration renewal in the mail a few weeks ago for 3 of my vehicles.

For my 2020, it clearly states that an emissions test is required.
For my 2001, no such language is on the renewal form.
For my 1999, definitely no emissions test is required. Form looks just like the 2001.

I walk in to pay this afternoon and the girl working the counter tells me that I need an emissions test for the 2001 because in her system, it says I do. But, it's not on my renewal form.

I spend a short time arguing with her but she continues to tell me that - her computer says so.
No amount of reasoning will work of course.

I looked up the chapter and verse and see this:
Quote:
Gasoline vehicles model-year 2 through 24 years old are inspected annually beginning with the vehicle's second anniversary.

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/mobilesource/vim/overview.html
(by the way, welcome to the party in 2026 for Bexar County)

Since I'm right on the cusp of 25 years old for my 2001, how can I confirm whether or not I need an emissions test?

Do I have to wait for the 2026 models to come out?
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Silvy
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In reply to HollywoodBQ • 8:55p, 10/28/25
AG
You need to wait until 2026
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big ben
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8:16p, 10/30/25
AG
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JB
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6:47p, 11/2/25
AG
Not related to the above, but just here to say that my '16 diesel truck is exempt from emissions testing now.

My '16 truck, that is currently liberated of restrictive devices, and resides in an emissions county just got a fresh new registration sticker with no sort of inspection, just a check in the mail.

Government is dumb.
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The Wonderer
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In reply to JB • 12:56p, 11/3/25
AG
JB said:
Not related to the above, but just here to say that my '16 diesel truck is exempt from emissions testing now.

My '16 truck, that is currently liberated of restrictive devices, and resides in an emissions county just got a fresh new registration sticker with no sort of inspection, just a check in the mail.

Government is dumb.

Your diesel was always exempt from emissions testing.
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JB
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In reply to The Wonderer • 1:04p, 11/3/25
AG
The Wonderer said:
JB said:
Not related to the above, but just here to say that my '16 diesel truck is exempt from emissions testing now.

My '16 truck, that is currently liberated of restrictive devices, and resides in an emissions county just got a fresh new registration sticker with no sort of inspection, just a check in the mail.

Government is dumb.

Your diesel was always exempt from emissions testing.

But not from the safety/visual where the look an see if your exhaust was still in tact. Been down that road.
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akaggie05
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In reply to JB • 10:21a, 11/8/25
AG
You were going to the wrong shop.
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DDub74
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7:52a, 12/27/25
Had to get my 2022 truck inspected and needed this stupid emissions test and got me thinking. Why the heck is this required other than these counties (Harris) wanted not to lose more money? I mean 1 Million cars drive thru Harris county everyday on I-10 and 59 that aren't from Harris county and don't require emissions testing, so why do I have too?

They need to change this law that if your car is newer than let's say 2015, you don't need this test. AND bring back the state inspection mostly for head light testing that they are not jacked up. That is more of a danger when driving at night and you have the idiot with lift kit or whatever, and his regular lights shine in your eyes.
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