JRL wrote:Sounds about right, you have a problem there
and a dealer CANNOT set the readiness status just like "that"!
The same drive cycle applies to them as it does to you.
I really wish certain people would not post falsehoods
Truly sorry for the falsehood. I did say "I believe".
I read that somewhere on this site when I was having my own not ready/engine light problems.
If I remember correctly, The person said it cost them $500 at Volvo to eliminate the not ready status. Which seems like a reasonable idea. There's no way dealer in NYC is going to perform that drive cycle without driving out of town. Unless they release the car to the owner, and tell them to return in a week or so.
In New York there is some sort of trick or bypass in the state inspection computers that will spit out a passing inspection report for a failing car. I called it a hacked sticker, and my repair guy knew exactly what I was talking about. For an extra $50 that's what I got. It's a full passing report(all sensors and tests) printed in the machine with all my info on it, while connected to my car. In my state a '99 with the two codes I had lit would not pass.
In NY there is also an inspection waiver that says if you can prove you spent over $470 on emmissions realated repairs, and still failed on the second attempt. There is some waiver you and your state certified shop sign to get a conditional passing report. It's vaguely mentioned in the NY Motor Vehicle website, But no officials at DMV, nor my two shops knew exactly how to go about this procedure. It was easier to pay a few bucks, and leave the CEL on.
Hope that helps someone in the future. At least in NY.