98 n/a V70 can't get car ready for emissions

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 01 Feb 2016, 19:21

hello everyone, trying to get my 98 n/a V70 to go through emissions. I had been getting the small Evap leak code for a few months, figured it was the gas cap, picked up an OEM replacement at local Volvo dealer. installed the new cap, drove around for a few days. On the morning of the inspection, I disconnected the negative cable for 5-10 mins, drove low speeds down to inspection station. Guy put it on his tester, said he couldn't do test as only 3 of the 9 checks were complete. Drove the car around later that night, out on the highway about 65 mph for 10-15 miles. Pulled out the laptop and docked the OBD cable. This time, there is a pending code for the large evap leak...with new gas cap. I reset all the codes, replaced the old cap, drove 15 miles more, brought car home. In the morning drove around in my neighborhood for 20 mins before heading to inspector. He puts the port in and says still only 3 tests are done; need to get out on turnpike and go 70 or so for 15-30 minutes, that should allow the system to go through its checks.

After work tonight I took a long cruise on the turnpike, 20-35 miles or so, at speeds of 60-70 mph. Going to put the OBD checker in again, but this time I'm not going to clear any codes.

What is the actual time or series of events that has to happen for a car to go from codes cleared to running all the checks and being ready for emissions testing? I have OBDLink software and cable if it makes any difference. I feel like if I can just get it ready to inspect, even with the Cel on, I will be light years ahead of the limbo of having no no cel, but not ready to test.

Thoughts on this? I am in Pennslyvania by the way, never went through this before. Thanks.

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Feb 2016, 20:00

Drive cycle for Volvos will get you started. You can post back to this topic.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 01 Feb 2016, 23:01

Hmmm....seems like a bigger issue than I had anticipated.

Questions:

1. If the CEL comes back on, is that sufficient evidence that all readiness tests have been complete, or only that some are complete and one threw the code?

2. Does simply checking the progress by plugging in an OBD scanner (I have OBDLink usb cable to use in my windows based laptop) reset or in anyway hinder the test completion protocol?

Post by **kranz** » 02 Feb 2016, 01:32

To answer your second question, using the ODB scanner to check the monitor readiness will not affect the current state of testing.

I have a '98 V70 NA manual that I am trying to ready for the annual emissions check after reconnecting the battery post-repair. In the past I've tried the suggested drive cycle with no success, so I just drive the car under a variety of conditions. This time, I've been driving it daily for several weeks and it stubbornly remains with 6 of 9 monitors incomplete. I am seriously considering the services of witch doctor or exorcist.

Post by **abscate** » 02 Feb 2016, 04:58

My 1999 has taken 2000 miles of driving to go all ready.

To hurry things:

Fuel tank has to be between 1/4 and 3/4 full
Turn your AC off

You do get up to two monitors not ready per the EPA but clear this with your inspection garage beforehand.

Each time you disconnect battery or clear codes you start over on readiness.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 02 Feb 2016, 05:43

Thanks everyone, this is so frustrating.

By the way, I live in PA, and I noticed the other thread by 1998xc70 that he found an exemption loophole in PA for 98 Volvos; is that still a viable option for me? I think his post was from 2014.

He said something about a dealer here in this state told him that. I will be checking with a dealer today, but I want to make sure I ask the right questions.

The crazy thing about all this for me is that I only drove this car about 2,000 in the last 6 months, and will likely only drive it 2,000 in the 6 months to come. In PA, cars driven less than 5,000 miles per year are automatically exempt from emissions inspection, but you have to have owned the vehicle for one full inspection cycle to prove your only driving it 5,000 or less. I bought the car at the end of June 2015, so unfortunately I have to do emissions this inspection cycle. By the time 2017 rolls around, as long as my use hasn't really changed, this will be over like a bad dream...