1998 v70 Drive Cycle (For Inspection)

[MrAl]

I actually reset my CEL, drove about 50 miles until all monitors went ready except the EVAP one. On my car, that's the one that takes forever

I took my car in and passed NY state inspection with no CEL but EVAP not ready.

Hi again,

Ok then i am a little confused here. Doesnt the various trouble codes set the CEL to come on or is that with just some codes? Right now i have air injection system code coming up, but am soon to repair that. So you are saying that if the EVAP is not ready it wont set the Check Engine Light to come on?

[MrAl]

Hello again,

So were you saying that the EVAP does not set the Check Engine Light (CEL) ?

[abscate]

Two things going on here, let's get the separated.

The drive cycle ensures all the monitors have sufficient my time and the right conditions to test the emission components on the car. After they do this, the ECU changes their status to " ready"

If the monitors find a fault ( the definitions are in software in the ECU) it stores a code and then turns on the CEL.

The evap monitor, for instance, applies vacuum to the fuel tank and tests it for leaks by comparing how long it takes to come back to pressure vs the software number.

[MrAl]

Hi again,

Thanks for the reply.

So are you saying that if the EVAP is 'not ready' it will not set the check engine light then?

I am trying to determine (before the fix) what is turning the CEL on in my vehicle. I know about the air injection system which sets a code, but i was also wondering if these other things that are 'not ready' could do that also.

Thanks again.

[JRL]

NO
Not ready status has nothing to do with a check engine light.
Not ready means just that, not ready for testing. It does not mean there are any faults.

Again, for the umpteenth time, you are allowed TWO (2) not readies in a 98-2000 Volvo and I think ONE (1) in 2001s and above

[MrAl]

Hello there JRL,

Thank you very much for clearing that up. I had a suspicion that was how it worked, but i did not want to assume anything yet. This is my first car with OBD anything in it, and so i dont know much at all about it yet.
So this is why it was said previously that you can have a not ready and no CEL. Makes a lot more sense now.

I knew it was going to be harder to deal with than my last car, which lasted me 20 years, but i see there is quite a bit to learn that i didnt have to know before

At this point, even the smallest details sometimes can help me enormously. You have helped more than you probably know right now because now i know what to expect from certain systems when before i was in the dark.

[MrAl]

Hello again,

Well now i found contradictory information on this forum, and i quoted that information in the other thread:

QUOTED:
1996-98 Volvo vehicles (excluding 850 Turbo) - These vehicles may have a high
degree of “Not Ready”for catalyst and evaporative monitors due to a
“trip based” design. Volvo has provided driving cycles in its service information
to allow monitors to operate. These vehicles should be treated as other
non-problematic vehicles. Volvo Technical Service Bulletin #SB 2-23-0056.

Did this change recently or something?

[christicarter71]

Hi,

Well thank you very much. So maybe it will do the cycle after driving normally for some miles then?

What's with all "drive cycle routines" i see posted in various places on the web, is that to get it to happen faster then?

This information is much appreciated and i will pass it along too, and also post information as i gather it myself for this car so hopefully to help others. I have a pretty decent camera and i have to do a few repairs to the vehicle, so i should be able to contribute in the future.

This car is 'new' to me because i just purchased it a few days ago. After hearing how good the Volvo history was i could not resist. A few things to fix, but hopefully after that it's good to go.

Again, thanks much and i'll return the favor whenever i can. When i worked in the industry i was an EE so i can help with non-specific electrical and electronic stuff, but when it comes to cars i only know the basics unfortunately, especially with the 'new' ones (ha ha).

I see you have more cars than teenagers.
Good luck with all of the above

Take care,
Al

I have 1997 volvo i50 wagon......the drive cycle for this particular car is a nightmare. Trying to register it requires emissiins which require a "ready" computer. I found a great deal .....compared to the rest.....paid 400 and three days the volvo shop had the car for them to complete cycle.

They told me allow at least 5-6 months to reset itself. This proved to be true.

This car was exempt from testing for years ...until the year i bought mine used in 2014. Love this car but will sell it before i register again.

[christicarter71]

Hi,

Well thank you very much. So maybe it will do the cycle after driving normally for some miles then?

What's with all "drive cycle routines" i see posted in various places on the web, is that to get it to happen faster then?

This information is much appreciated and i will pass it along too, and also post information as i gather it myself for this car so hopefully to help others. I have a pretty decent camera and i have to do a few repairs to the vehicle, so i should be able to contribute in the future.

This car is 'new' to me because i just purchased it a few days ago. After hearing how good the Volvo history was i could not resist. A few things to fix, but hopefully after that it's good to go.

Again, thanks much and i'll return the favor whenever i can. When i worked in the industry i was an EE so i can help with non-specific electrical and electronic stuff, but when it comes to cars i only know the basics unfortunately, especially with the 'new' ones (ha ha).

I see you have more cars than teenagers.
Good luck with all of the above

Take care,
Al

I have 1997 volvo 850 wagon......the drive cycle for this particular car is a nightmare. Trying to register it requires emissiins which require a "ready" computer. I found a great deal .....compared to the rest.....paid 400 and three days the volvo shop had the car for them to complete cycle.

They told me allow at least 5-6 months to reset itself. This proved to be true.

This car was exempt from testing for years ...until the year i bought mine used in 2014. Love this car but will sell it before i register again.

[abscate]

Hi,

Well thank you very much. So maybe it will do the cycle after driving normally for some miles then?

What's with all "drive cycle routines" i see posted in various places on the web, is that to get it to happen faster then?

This information is much appreciated and i will pass it along too, and also post information as i gather it myself for this car so hopefully to help others. I have a pretty decent camera and i have to do a few repairs to the vehicle, so i should be able to contribute in the future.

This car is 'new' to me because i just purchased it a few days ago. After hearing how good the Volvo history was i could not resist. A few things to fix, but hopefully after that it's good to go.

Again, thanks much and i'll return the favor whenever i can. When i worked in the industry i was an EE so i can help with non-specific electrical and electronic stuff, but when it comes to cars i only know the basics unfortunately, especially with the 'new' ones (ha ha).

I see you have more cars than teenagers.
Good luck with all of the above

Take care,
Al

I have 1997 volvo i50 wagon......the drive cycle for this particular car is a nightmare. Trying to register it requires emissiins which require a "ready" computer. I found a great deal .....compared to the rest.....paid 400 and three days the volvo shop had the car for them to complete cycle.

They told me allow at least 5-6 months to reset itself. This proved to be true.

This car was exempt from testing for years ...until the year i bought mine used in 2014. Love this car but will sell it before i register again.

This Volvo shop needs some education. You can complete the cycle in a few days once you once understand the conditions that stop it from completing which are

Fuel tank fill percentage out of range of 25-75% ( not too empty nor full)
AC on
Speed exceeding 60 mph indicated
Coolant temp above 80F
Car has to be run for at least 17 minutes, then idled at 0 mph without the above conditions being broken.

There is a more detailed discussion in a reference post here by lexia