1998 v70 Drive Cycle (For Inspection)

Post by **MrAl** » 10 Apr 2015, 03:13

Hello there,

I have a 1998 v70 and this is my first time trying to understand what a 'drive cycle' really is, and how to achieve this in order to get some OBD2 readings for emissions to become "ready" when they are now "incomplete".
This is all quite new to me because i had an older car before this that i maintained and it did not have this OBD2 so for inspection they just used an exhaust probe to check emissions.

The problem started out as an Air Pump problem (secondary air injection system) and i have the parts on order, but while waiting for them to come i cleared the check engine light with an OBD2 reader tool because i wanted to see how the system behaved before the actual repair was made. What that did was cleared the light but the message still shows up in the OBD2 reader (as expected) but also some emissions tests changed from "OK" to "INC" and INC means "incomplete" with this reader.

Then i read that in order for the computer to actually make the tests on the emission system components, the car has to be driven in a certain way, for a period of time, and then even possibly repeated again.

So my first question is, are the car manufacturers really serious? This has got to be the nuttiest thing i've heard in a while now. In fact, it may top the list.

I am assuming that the first question answer is, "Yes, they are serious", so on to the next important question...

Just how do we drive the car to get it to force the computer to update the readings? I have read now two or three or maybe more different procedures which involve driving anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes, twice, and stopping and such, then driving again, etc. It's just crazy. I only normally need the car for 10 minute drives at maybe 30mph tops, maybe once in a blue moon around 40mph.

This is a very serious issue because supposedly the inspection wont pass without the vehicle doing it's own tests.

So the question is, what is the real procedure for this car, and also do all of the emissions tests have to be 'ready' or just some of them?

The engine is the 2.5L 5 cylinder, non turbo, FWD (Front Wheel Drive, not AWD).

Thanks very much for your information if you can supply anything that might help in the least.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Apr 2015, 04:53

Welcome to MVS, MrAl!

1 yes, this is reality.

. What happened over the years is that instead of ypur garage having sophisticated test equipment to test emissions, now the car does it.

2 some of the emissions systems take a while to test and collect data, ergo the drive cycle.

3 usually the car will go " ready" after 100-200 miles driving so if you can plan a few weeks before inspection.

4 Federal rules for your 1998 are that the car can pass an inspection with up to 2 monitors " not ready" as long as the check engine light is not on. You may have to confirm this with ypur inspection station prior to test

Post by **MrAl** » 10 Apr 2015, 09:07

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

Post by **abscate** » 10 Apr 2015, 12:04

My 2005 goes ready in one week

My 1999, I once drove for 2000 miles without the EVAP circuit going ready.

Try normal driving for a week or two and then check monitors. Remember not to clear codes (which starts the go-ready clock again) or disconnect the battery (also resets clock)

Some come in for help on a problem, thank us,and move on.

Some stay and contribute as they can, like me

Some just make this the best Volvo Site in the world with their knowledge and videos ...

All our welcome.

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 10 Apr 2015, 12:58

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=62268

98 Volvo S70 is one of many that gets emissions pass in Pa.

Post by **MrAl** » 11 Apr 2015, 07:13

Hello again,

abscate:
Thanks again. What did you have to do to get the 1999 model to go 'ready' after all?
I am asking about that model in particular because that's closer to my year 1998 and
this may be more difficult than the 2005 model.

crlande:
What do you mean here, that they dont care if it is not ready or just that it easily checks the emissions with the computer? Thanks.

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 11 Apr 2015, 12:28

It will automatically get an emissions pass as long as the check engine light is not on. There is a list from the EPA of cars that have had issues getting all systems in the ready mode. Look at the link I attached. Some Volvo dealers will also tell you to enter "2300" for the engine size on the garage station's machine. I have a 1998 Volvo S70 GLT that has to get emissions in PA. I drove over 500 miles and tried the driving cycle nonsense until I stumbled across that topic link

Post by **abscate** » 11 Apr 2015, 15:53

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.

Post by **MrAl** » 12 Apr 2015, 11:24

Hello again abscate and crlande,

Wow that's interesting, thanks for the tip.
I am in NJ.

I'll have to read up on this a bit more too, i didnt notice the link at first for some reason, thanks for the link.

I've also read now that there are some issues with changing the battery in this thing, and the radio codes and stuff. This is some really nutty stuff coming up for this car

Post by **abscate** » 13 Apr 2015, 07:53

Most cars in the 1990-2010 period had codes associated with the radios to try to defer theft. The radio detects if it has been disconnected from the battery and won't play until you enter the code. There are a bunch of people here who cn get you your code once you have radio serial number

You also want to finish all electrical connections on modern cars before reconnecting the battery. There are some sub systems that don't like to not be found on power up....and sometimes only a dealer visit can fix it