Calif. Smog Test Confusion 1997 850 GLT

Ernesto · Post by **Ernesto** » 03 Oct 2008, 22:14

had read there that my 1997 850 GLT was exempt and to ask the smog tech to ook up his "Schedule J" to see about it. He referred to something called the"Smog Inspection Manual."

It said the 1996 Turbo was exempt, because "all of he monitors reset to "incomplete" upon EVERY ignition key-off.
Action to be taken- via VID communication, the test analyzer ignores monitor satus; the monitors are not to be used for pass/fail decisions."

For 1996-1998, what the mnual says is-
"All Volvo models except the 850 Turbo."
I'm not sure what that means. That all models can be tested, and the 850
Turbo s exempt, or vice versa?
According to the Smog Manual the problem it describes is
"Some monitors are difficult to set to complete.
Action to be taken-
Volvo provides driving cycles in its service informationn to assist
technicians to operate monitors. See Volvo Technical Service Bulletin
#SB-2-23-0056."

So now I don't know what to do. I have to pass smog so I can register it to
me.
I've had it for two months, and most of that time it's been in the shop.
Still very much Love this machine, and want to do whatever's needed to keep
her.

Ernesto
1997 850 GLT
(has a low-pressure turbo)
1971 Chevy C-30: 1 ton, flat bed,
dual wheels, tricked-out 350 V-8

Angeles National Forest

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Oct 2008, 22:40

Hi Ernesto, and welcome to MVS.

It is a well known thing among us who have been into Volvo's for awhile that there is a "drive cycle" that you have to go through twice to set your car's ECU to a readiness state to be tested. I think that's what the description you posted means. In other words, if you fail the smog test, they are going to recommend you do the drive cycles and then come back for the test again (of course I could be wrong about CA emissions testing procedures). Anyway, the following thread outlines what is needed before going in for testing: https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... 6234#56234

drsugg · Post by **drsugg** » 03 Oct 2008, 22:46

I had the same problem with my 97 850. Did you run the test? Or are you unsure if it will pass? I drove my 850 for over two weeks and every time my smog guy checked it , it came up incomplete monitor check. I found the mysterious schedule J on line and showed it to him. We ran a regular smog check and answered all the questions the smog machine asked. Ding! Out popped my smog cert.Bottom line is try it, you might be surprised.

Ernesto · Post by **Ernesto** » 03 Oct 2008, 23:42

Thank you for responding.

To "Made In Japan" - if my car is listed on the mysterious "Schedule J"
I will not have to go through the driving procedures in order to set the
"Readiness Codes." I hope I won't have to do that, but on the drive home,
I started practicing it. I live in the mountains and take country roads on
the way back home. Even so, at 1800-2000 rpm, I had folks driving right
up onto my tailfeathers. I lkow of a desolate flat, long stretch of road out in
the desert that would be better suited to do this driving cycle laid out by
the Volvo engineers. It's long, involved, has to be done "just so", and will
use up a lot of gas. If I'm exempt on this Schedule J, I'll be very happy.

To drsugg-
NO, I have not run the test yet. I went to the Smog Shop and they said
that if the readiness codes were'nt set, it would be an autoamtic failure.
He printed out what I already posted from the Smog Manual in a computer
which says I have to go through the procedure Made In Japan mentions.

I've done a Google search that took hours, looking for that "Schedule J",
and could not find it anywhere. LOst some serious sleep trying to find that.
Could you please post the URL or the Schedule itself in order for me to be
able to take it into the Smog Shop just as you did. I'd like the same results

I'm in desperate need of it, and am seriously stuck without a copy of it.
I've had the car two months, and can not register it until it passes Smog.
I just got it back from my mechanics shop, and he had pulled the cable
off of the battery, erasing the memory and clearing out all the DTC codes.
He had put in a bunch of parts I ordered from FCP Groton-
new oil trap kit, tune up kit, cabin air filter and bracket which my car did'nt
have. The next model made- 1998 V70, had one. Also cleaned out all the
associated plumbing (hoses and inlets), bayonette connector, oil change,
gas filter, overhauled the fuel rail & injectors rail; Installed a K&N Air Filter

My mechanic is having a hard time believing there's something wrong with
the rings; that I need a rebuild or new engine, because it runs so well.
Just got it back last night, and it runs like a Sweedish Cruise Missle now.

Thank you.

Ernesto

Ernesto · Post by **Ernesto** » 04 Oct 2008, 02:51

Hooray ! I found Schedule J !
http://www.rlescalambre.com/APPENDIX_J.htm

Looks like I might be eligible for getting a smog test without having to
go through the driving procedures or even being hooked up to the OBD II.

I'm not sure of what taking the following action means . . .

"OBD II Testability Issues'
"The EIS ignores Monitor Readiness Staus-
Action- Complete inspectionm as prompted by the EIS."

Many others here might be affected by this.
They list a lot of different Volvo models and years!
According to this, some have "Testability Issues"
and others on Table 2 can NOT be tested, period.
In addition to the VOlvos liisted on Table 2
ALL vehicles one model year old and and newer are excepted from the
OBD II functional test.

Hope this knowledge helps someone else.
I'm still not sure what the EIS will prompt the Smog tech to do

:+/

Ernesto

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Oct 2008, 07:04

Nice find! I would make sure and make the testing site aware of this schedule and your car BEFORE going in for your test, just in case.

drsugg · Post by **drsugg** » 04 Oct 2008, 09:18

I would not even show him schedule J. Just have him run it and watch his face when it passes. I was a Calif smog tech for 12 years and I will tell you the program is so screwed up it is unreal. They have been trying to improve it for the last 20 years or so but they still have a lot of problems. One being the tech's think they know it all. Second is ,they send you so much BS paperwork that when something important shows up,J, they never read it. Have him pre-test it to check your emissions and if they are good , go for it. Are you in an "enhanced" smog test county? Meaning ,do you run the test on a dyno? If it is,you may fail the nox part of the test and need to replace your cat. When my county went to dyno smog testing fully 40% of my customers cars would fail the nox part of test,passing the other parts with ease. Good luck!

Ernesto · Post by **Ernesto** » 04 Oct 2008, 09:26

Thank you, Made In Japan !

That is really a wonderful idea. I'm going to do it, without a doubt!
I'm calling BEFORE I even go out the door and head down there.

The State has special smog shops that specialize on trouble shooting.
People that come up as "Gross Polluters" and ones that have a hard
time paying for the repairs go to the certified "Gold Shield" Smog Centers.
They charge a bit more than a regular smog shop. It's pass or don't pay.
I really want this part of the ordeal over with so I can register it at last.
At this point, it's worth it to me to get this accomplished. I'll call first!

Got a good deal on it- $4K-
I've put in another 2K into it
Never had a car that was so much fun to drive!
I can't believe how fond of it I've become in so short a time.
It's quite different from my 240 DL Wagon.
The only thing that's the same is the Volvo badge.

Color's a dark silver/gray. Think Volvo called it "Anthracite", like coal.
Black leather interior, and all the options that were available except one

I want to find out where to get the one thing he did'nt order; fog lights!
Do you know where I can find those? Don't think Groton carries them.

Thanks again!

Ernesto

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 04 Oct 2008, 14:52

Enesto, check eBay....(the plugs for the fogs should already be in your car...so you just need the fogs, and the wiring to the connectors- make sure you get both). Oh, and you'll need the fog light relay and switch- but I'll bet some members here could help you out with these- or it's eBay again- not expensive at all if you buy a good used set.

I know what you mean of fond of the car and only the badge is the same!

Post by **JRL** » 04 Oct 2008, 15:39

Basically you need a complete fog light kit, (horribly expensive new)
Easy to install as everything is prewired, you just mount the lights, plug them in, install the relay in its slot and install the dash switch (also prewired behind the dash blank).
All this is a 30 minute install