1999 S70 OBD2 Not Ready, state inspections CT NY CA

[mikedodge]

I took my 1999 S70 to the Connecticut Emissions Testing center for the bi-annual inspection, and it failed due to OBD readiness monitors failures.

The following readiness monitors came up as "Not Ready" to be read:
Catalyst
Evaporative System
Oxygen Sensor

The guy asked if I had disconnected the battery lately. I told him I had, about 1500 miles previous. He said that should have been plenty of time for the sensors to reset themselves, but maybe it just needed to be driven more. I drove for another 2500 miles and brought it to another testing center and got the exact same result.

The car is a 1999 S-70 with the 2.4L non-turbo engine. I had the ECU replaced and programmed by a Volvo dealership around 155,000 miles. The car presently has 213,000 miles and seems to run fine. When I hook my OBD2 reader up it says all systems normal and all sensors ready to read.

The techs/mechanics at both Emissions Testing facilities (in CT they are regular garages/mechanics, not special state-run facilities) had no idea what would cause this. They also said (not surprisingly), "it's a Volvo. I can't do anything with it. You need to take it to a dealer."

Anybody have any ideas before I break down and bring her to a dealership?

Thanks!

Mod note...title change

[rmmagow]

There is a driving procedure to help set this. I have a 98 that had the same issue, no codes, no cel, nothing ready. After many months of driving they finally went ready. Took a very very long time, 3 months +. Check around for the driving procedure, it is no picnic either.

[rmmagow]

FWIW, RI inspection let mine pass via the old tailpipe method. I don't know if CT will let that work.

[abscate]

Check with the CT DMV and see if there is a memo that allows the car to pass 'not-ready'

CA has this with the 850s I believe.

[rugbygrrl_15]

Hello Mike

I have a 1998 S70 basic model, naturally asperated, 5-speed. I'll spare you my tale of woe related to my OBDII and the CA smog check, BUT what I have learned from that experience is that our cars' computers take an extremely long time to complete all system checks. In CA, the Volvo S70 series cars are on a list of vehicles that DO NOT need to have all internal tests completed before a smog check can be run.

I don't know about RI or CT laws, but CA's emission testing laws are the strictest in the country. You may want to visit the CT DMV website to see if they have a similar list of cars that are exempt from having the computer completed all of its internal test.

Check, for me please. I spent 3 weeks driving around the LA area trying to get my computer to complete its tests, before I got so frustrated that I searched for another way out. Then, I found the %^$! list buried in the CA DMV website documentation.

Good Luck!
S

[abscate]

From the NY State DMV Site...

"HOW MANY MONITORS HAVE TO BE READY?
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide- lines allow up to two monitors to be in a “not ready” state for model year 1996 through 2000 vehicles and one monitor “not ready” for 2001 and newer model year vehicles."

Im in this situation right now. No CEL, but EVAP monitor is not ready. Ive been driving for 250 miles. Inspection due end of May. Not quite sure how I will deal with it.

We don't test emissions at all in NY anymore. We only test for all monitors ready and no CEL.

[osman]

Tell the inspector that there is a service bulletin to not fail certain Volvos for sensors being unready,It is very common in the 98-99 S/V 70's. Your car is one of them. Let him know those cars can sometimes take months and or never get to the point of "all sensors ready" as long as you have no CEL, tell them to test your emssions. Most times the inspector will look at you strange, but its true, if they refuse to go check the paperwork or check with a superior leave and find some inspection place that looks like some Volvos have probably gone there, so they might be familiar with that, but I have never seen it.

[esl_97_850_T5]

To get the Evaporative System Readiness monitor set, try driving with between 6 gal and 12 gal of gas until it sets.

Seems like I read somewhere that too much (and maybe too little) gas can keep the Evaporative System Readiness test from being run.

[abscate]

Too little gas , less than 1/4 tank, will prevent the evap cycle from going ready. So will using AC during drive cycle .

Update from my mechanic. Wants me to drive two drive cycles but can pass NY inspection with up to two sensors not ready for 1999. We don't tailpipe test in upstate NY.

[mikedodge]

Thank you all very much!