ways to beat the smog test - 2001 V70 T5

balanceact · Post by **balanceact** » 02 Aug 2009, 06:35

I have a boat load of error codes many related to the ABS which my mechanic suspicions is a faulty ABS computer, and some related to the transmission which he says does feels rough. I also have the check engine light on all the time.

I just had the Mass Air Sensor replaced and new rotors and brakes on the front. The car is running great and the brakes are great, but I'll never pass a smog test. I can't afford the new ABS module, and I certainly can't afford a new tranny.

I've heard tell of a tool that can be plugged into the below dash computer plug that will then, miraculously make my car pass the smog test. I have to check with a friend about this tomorrow. I have serious doubts about this and I wanted to run it by people with far more knowledge than I. I am afraid that if I try to imput anything into the onboard computer I could be asking for serious disasters.

Has anyone heard about this clever tool?? Would it work on my car??

The other alternative is to go through the Consumer Assistance Progam which I'm sure I will qualify for. Longer, but less risky.

Hoping for some solid advice.

THX, balanceact

Checksix · Post by **Checksix** » 02 Aug 2009, 13:58

The forums are a lot more effective if you have the codes. You can get these at a lot of the auto parts stores for free. The ABS module is a pretty easy DIY project where you remove send off for repair and replace. Do a search for the details. Victor Rocha does this for about $125 (he did mine and a whole lot of other members) and I've NEVER seen him given a bad post. I've seen some lower priced, but can't personally recommend them.

As far as the "magic" device, I've never heard of one and doubt they exist, but who knows what some techo junkie has developed.

Jerry

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 02 Aug 2009, 14:15

How do you know your car won't pass? Because of the check engine light? That should be addressed anyway. Best thing to do is get the codes and try to get your car running right. I wouldn't mess with the computers on these cars - they're very finicky even stock.

balanceact · Post by **balanceact** » 02 Aug 2009, 16:04

Thanks for the responses guys. I will drop by Kragen and get the codes read. My mechanic said the if the check engine light is on, it's an automatic failure.

I'll do a search on the ABS module. I would think it isn't complicated to replace, but it still costs around $650 and my mechanic said I had to be very careful to get the right one. My car has STC stabilization and it would need an ABS module that controls that. I will check the boards for ABS modules.

As I stated earlier, to replace the ABS computer module is around $750 and to redo the transmission, god only knows $2-3 thousand. I don't have this kind of money, period.

More info on the computer plug in gizmo. Its a OBD2 hand held unit which will reset the computer codes and turn off the check engine light. I'm not sure this is going to help much, as my mechanic did that after he installed the Mass Air Sensor, and the "check engine" light and ABS threats and the "transmission needs service" warnings popped back on almost immediately. And I was told that I would still have to run the car for a day or two to give the computer time to fully test and reset itself before it would be even allowed to take the smog test. The smog test shop checks to see if the computer is fully functional first by plugging into the computer before running the test. If it isn't, you can't take the test...

So I'm not sure that the OBD2 hand held device will be much help and I'm not even sure if that is the kind of module plug on my 2001 T5 V70.

THX, wayne