Sanity draining Smog 'Readiness' indicators [98 850] Topic is solved

[ToriWhite]

Don’t worry; I’ve been micromanaging my fuel tank, I read about that a while ago

As for the Airbox and MAF... turns out there IS a filter; despite my very clear memories of ‘that funny, purposeless, empty box’ - my partner in crime must have bought and installed it amidst some other major repair we collaborated on (replacing clutch, replacing evap lines, who knows). Well, it’s got a brand new filter now!

Lucky enough my Torx set accommodates the security screws that hold the MAF in, so I was able to pull the component out and get a real good look at it- clean as a babies bottom, cleaner- maybe!

Well.. at least I know the culprits are NOT-
A) an evap leak,
B) Purge valve,
C) Dirty MAF sensor,
D) Missing air filter,
..
Next on the chopping block.. O2 sensors? I put new ones in 3-4 years ago.. a new cat about 2 years ago..

[ToriWhite]

Would ABS have anything to do with this? ABS sys has been out of service since I bought the car.. didn’t stop me from passing last time though.. Friends advanced OBD picked up a code saying somethings wrong with the speed signal- speedometer’s been working A-OK though.
Gas cap is ‘fine’ , but ordering a fresh seal from IPD to be safe, it’s only $5, other than that I’m going to try another round of drive cycles
Please chime in if you have any ideas.. or just keep my Volvo in your thoughts and prayers..

[WhatAmIDoing]

I think certain tests only take place at certain speeds, so if the computer thinks the speed sensors aren't reading correctly, I suppose that could be preventing monitors from readying.

[ToriWhite]

In an act of desperation.. I took it into the SMOG station- if the on board computer won’t tell me what’s wrong, I could at least get some pointers by seeing what’s off by seeing in what way the Hydrocarbons and NOx are off.
But.. it passed? All monitors incomplete- but it still passed?
Nowhere in the DMV or EPA documents released say the Volvo 850 Base NA is able to pass with no monitors- the 96 850 TURBO gets a pass, but it explicitly says for all the other years/models “It’s a tough drive cycle.. tough luck”

Well, I’m certainly not going back there to try and argue the point. I wonder if it had something to do with what the service bullitin says-

Readiness status cannot be read from a vehicle equipped with Motronic 4.3 using the VST, but the completion of two 'TRIPS' will establish readiness.

Whatever.. ordeal over, it only took 1100 miles, a whole month of free time, and probably a couple years off my life expectancy from the stress..

[WhatAmIDoing]

I've heard several stories now about 850s getting an auto-pass due to service bulletins or some other obscure reason. Glad you made it through. Honestly, if they truly measure what's coming out the tailpipe, then what the readiness monitors say is meaningless (looks over at VW TDI and smirks).