CALIFORNIA WARNING--Do Not Clear Codes

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
California requires our Sprinters to go through the biennial smog inspection. In 2015, the smog inspections became more rigorous for Sprinters --OBDII must be hooked up and the Sprinter must show all modules/monitors emission readiness.

The problem is that some modules/monitors are not ready for a smog inspection if the battery has recently been changed or the computer codes cleared after a Check Engine Light repair has been done.

The modules/monitors are supposed to reset after so many drive cycles.

The advice seems to NOT to clear codes. The Check Engine Light will go out by itself after so many cycles after a repair. Old computer codes will still show as old.

In some cases, Sprinter owners can't get any satisfaction in getting a monitor to reset.

See Post #62 in this thread:

http://www.sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39791&highlight=California+smog&page=7
 

Riptide

Active member
Yeah, CT is the same way. I worked on my daily driver, cleared codes, and then brought it in for emissions testing. About 10 minutes later, the tech said he couldn't perform the test because I had cleared codes so recently. He said I had to drive it at least 300 miles before the vehicle would be ready to test...
 
D

Deleted member 50714

Guest
I have to take my 2015 in next week. I understand no dyno is required?
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
June 2016. Hooked up to DMV Smog Center computer to vehicle OBDII port and engine running. Did not put rear wheels on rollers (Westy wouldn't fit inside garage anyways; did outside).

Previous California smog checks were just visual inspection but now DMV computers are updated to require actual computer hookup.

Right before June 2016 smog check, had CEL on which was cleared as well as everything else after glow plug replaced. Then, went to smog check. Smog center said could not test as not lsmog emission ready (they can check with a handheld scanner so do NOT acutually smog check and fail), and for me to drive for 100 miles and return. Smog center said would check for smog readiness again with handheld scanner. No charge.

Rather than going back and forth, bought an inexpensive smog readiness reader off Amazon. After driving with lots of stop/go, freeway speeds, etc., tested myself that smog emissions ready to be tested. Then went back to smog center for handheld scanner check, and then real smog check.
 

ptheland

2013 144" low top Passgr
BTW - the same is true of gasoline engines as well. If you have a check engine light and get that fixed and the codes cleared, you will need to drive the car for a bit before the car will be ready for a smog check in CA.

There's no specific mileage you need to drive. There are various parameters that need to be met. I don't know the whole list, but there are a couple of engine stops and starts needed, the engine needs to go from fully cold to fully warmed up a couple of times, and I think there's a speed target you have to get over at least once or twice. (Yes, it would be a very legal speed - something like 30 or 40 MPH.)

That can be accomplished without driving too many miles. I'm sure the shops that say 300 miles just want to make absolutely sure you drive enough to reset things before attempting a test.

I just had some work done on a non-Sprinter car in my household fleet for a check engine light. I mentioned to my usual mechanic that I was doing this to be able to get my bi-annual smog check. He mentioned the same need to drive it a bit before getting the test, which I already knew. He even offered to give the car a quick scan after I'd driven it for a few days to make sure it was ready for a smog check and didn't have anything else pop up.
 

Graphite Dave

Dave Orton
California requires our Sprinters to go through the biennial smog inspection.
Not everywhere in Ca. I have not had a vehicle smog tested in 20 years. Some ZIP codes do not require testing. My rural property is actually in the smog district but my Zip code is not. My Western property line is the dividing line for the district. They do need to be tested when sold.

When I bought the property and before I lived here, I registered the cars in this Zip code. Before that I had a real problem with my 67 Alfa Romeo Duetto. Always had to take it to the referee due to failing the smog test every time. The technician did not want to put the probe into the exhaust pipe in fear of damaging his instrument.
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
Further information from another poster re connectivity to OBD port and open monitors.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62428

I just bought a 2003 2500 in Texas and drove it home to California. When I tried to have it smogged the technician couldn't get the van to communicate with the OBD II computer (on-board diagnostics), and so I was failing smog because of connectivity issues.

I brought the van to a smog referee and he showed me a chart that explains that 2003-2004 Dodge 2500 and 3500 Sprinters (Federal certified) "over 8500 GVWR is not OBD II certified" and "were not built to comply with OBD-II or Fed OBD standards." So the chart goes on to instruct the inspector to "Test Normally. Bar-OIS (not sure what that means) will ignore incomplete continuous monitors. If the vehicle fails to communicate, use the result of the bulb check for the overall result of the OBD Test if the analyzer offers this option."

So he did and it passed.

And there you have it. If you're in California, or any other state that uses this system, and you're running into this issue tell your smog test technician to "Test Normally..."

[End Quote]
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
Insofar as the emissions recall notice thread and messages posted on this subforum and moved to the T1N subforum at

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57401&page=11

, the latest post from Type2Teach explains why Mercedes Freightliners are getting a better result than Dodges.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=617654&postcount=110

This message has been writing itself in my head for the last week or so as pieces of this puzzle have been coming together and I’m reading this thread.
Summary:
If you have Freightliner or Mercedes T1N and get the recall notice, this “issue” is really a non-issue. Nothing to worry about AT ALL.
If you have a Dodge T1N, the recall is frustrating and will be until Dodge implements the FULL recall service, which Freightliner and Mercedes are already doing. But it’s not debilitating as long as you pull the instrument cluster fuse and EGR plug every time you park for more than a day.
The GDE Tune cannot and will not affect the recall.
The long story:
As a Sprinter mechanic, I see lots of Sprinters come and go, mostly T1Ns. A friend contacted me about 6 months ago wanting to buy a Sprinter and I helped him find an ‘04 Long/Tall 3500 with about 120K miles for cheap. I can’t remember why, but there was no access to the original owner, nor any documentation about the van’s previous life.
It needed some lock work and some door work and all the fluids changed, but otherwise was a solid van and he loved it. Shortly afterwards, he called me complaining that the battery kept dying. And that a dash light would stay on all night long and there was a whirring coming from under the hood even after the key was removed from the ignition.
You see where this is going…
No matter what I did, I couldn’t get the odometer light to turn off nor the egr valve from cycling constantly. Short of removing the fuses, that is. But sometimes they would turn off by themselves for no apparent reason. The guy had me install an aux battery for his living space behind the cab, so I also installed an emergency start button like RVs have and he was happy with that backup even though the problem wasnt solved. He doesnt work in the winter, so we had decided that I would replace his ignition switch in the Spring.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I saw this thread.
EUREKA!
Finally the puzzle pieces started falling into place.
Turns out the van is a Freighliner. It had the initial recall done and then was put up for sale. My friend purchased the van and the problems that people are complaining about stemming from the recall popped up.
AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THESE ARE THE TRUE ISSUES STEMMING FROM THE RECALL:
The recall, according to the earlier posts in this thread, has to do with the monitors so that they will close easier for emissions tests. But the two unintended consequences of the recall is that the “timeout” function of the EGR and Odometer light does not usually happen. There seems to be some talk of cycling the key off and on twice on shutdown to get the one minute “timeout” clock to start, but I have not found that to be the case with the Sprinters I have seen.
The T1Ns drive exactly like any other T1N of the same age and mileage, so I cannot speak to there being any other driveability issues stemming from this initial recall.
The worst (and really, only) downside of having this recall done is a dead battery.
Mercedes, being Mercedes, has been relatively responsive to the issues caused by the recall and have since issued a 2nd recall to remedy the first. As far as I can tell, it involves a new instrument cluster and possibly another ECU reflash, although the recall letter that I have seen only mentions the instrument cluster.
Because Mercedes does warranty and recall work on Freightliners, if you have Freightliner, you are in luck and should experience none of the issues complained about here and you should have NO CONCERNS about getting this recall work done.
If you have a Dodge T1N, you might want to hold off on getting the recall work done until Dodge officially recongnizes the issues caused by the initial recall and issues a 2nd recall.
If you live in California, this may present a problem because California apparently requires all recall work completed on any vehicle being registered in the state. If you find yourself in this situation, you can argue your case with the DMV or you can get the first phase of the recall work done and live with having to unplug your egr and instrument cluster fuse every night, unless you want to risk a dead battery the next time you hop in your T1N.
In the middle of all this with my customer, we installed the GDE tune. It installed just fine and gave the normal “pep” to the engine. It did NOT, however, keep the EGR from cycling nonstop when the key was removed.
So when my customer goes to get the 2nd recall work done, we are going to uninstall the GDE tune so the dealership won’t see it.
I just called GDE and they said that the old tune programming would not work with the updated dealership ECU flash. If you have already purchased the tune from them, they will upgrade your old tune to work with the new ECU flash for $100.
I hope this is helpful to someone and if anything is incorrect, please feel free to correct me.
__________________
'04 long/tall Silver Passenger 120K
Joel Sell
German Engineering Specialist

[End Quote]
 

OldWest

2004 T1N Westfalia
If you can't avoid the recall, look for Dodge dealers who have successfully performed the recall. For example, links and [Quotes] from poster cgm55082:

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=616123&postcount=97

I had the work done at my local Dodge dealer yesterday. I uninstalled the GDE tune before taking it in. All seems fine -- other than I no longer have a GDE tune. I mainly had the GDE tune to ensure I passed emissions, so it's kind of a moot point now -- shouldn't need it for that purpose anymore.

The Dodge service folks said they have done a ton of the recalls and only had an issue with one vehicle. Like I said, I noticed no difference. Sprinter still running great.

https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=616135&postcount=100

The dealership I took it to was Cole Dodge in San Luis Obispo, CA. The name of their Sprinter expert is AJ and he does all of the recall work.
 
D

Deleted member 50714

Guest
Not everywhere in Ca. I have not had a vehicle smog tested in 20 years. Some ZIP codes do not require testing. My rural property is actually in the smog district but my Zip code is not. My Western property line is the dividing line for the district. They do need to be tested when sold.

When I bought the property and before I lived here, I registered the cars in this Zip code. Before that I had a real problem with my 67 Alfa Romeo Duetto. Always had to take it to the referee due to failing the smog test every time. The technician did not want to put the probe into the exhaust pipe in fear of damaging his instrument.
I don't understand why your zip code is exempt? Does your exhaust pollutants remain confined to your zip code? What about when you drive in other zip code? Makes zero sense much like most of California.
 

autostaretx

Erratic Member
I don't understand why your zip code is exempt? Does your exhaust pollutants remain confined to your zip code? What about when you drive in other zip code? Makes zero sense much like most of California.
It's federal, not state.

The EPA measures air pollution in metro and high-population areas, and categorizes them by zip codes.
As areas improve, the inspection requirements diminish.
If areas have low pollution (usually due to lack of pooulation and industry) their zips don't require any inspection.

Since the only concrete measure they have of "where's the car?" is the registration address, that's what applies as the criterion.

--dick
 

Graphite Dave

Dave Orton
I don't understand why your zip code is exempt? Does your exhaust pollutants remain confined to your zip code? What about when you drive in other zip code? Makes zero sense much like most of California.
Miles are probably 95% in areas requiring testing.

Good to pay attention to zip codes when purchasing property. The border for the "Bay Area Air Quality Management District" is actually our Western property line. Our property is inside the district but our Zip code is outside the district. Win some lose some!

Before we built the house and moved to the property, I registered the cars at the local property post office to avoid the smog tests. I had a 67 Alfa Romeo Duetto that had a problem passing the smog test so I had to go to a referee every two years. That got old.
 
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hulagun

Haulin' A** since 1974
My van is running great, BUT has the EGR monitor "failure to reset" issue, which means the SMOG Tech can't even start the test.

A link in the T21 Recall thread on this forum provided some hope: [Search YouTube for "Escondido German Auto and Sprinter EGR"] But, when I checked with Collie Auto Works, a local Sprinter specialist, they answered "...have seen the you tube video before. We attempted this on a van before and were not successful. We could try again..... Sometimes the stuff on the internet you have to take with a grain of salt. Did you look on the BAR website regarding a known issue where they ignore the fact this moniter is not set?"

I then viewed the Calif BAR website and clicking around, found a little information pertinent to the EGR monitor reset issue. Look under "Monitor-Readiness-Concerns" then click on "OBD Reference". See attached screenshot. (which also implies that the T21 Recall cures this issue... I'm skeptical.). I'm hoping the April 2018 cutoff date is still open. It seems like it is not - that or the Smog shop that couldn't test my van may not have been aware of this exemption, or did not have the updated OIS. I am going to try and find another test facility tomorrow morning with an updated OIS, if I can, to try again...

If I am successful, I will have another 2 years to figure something out, without doing the T21 Recall... crossing my fingers.
 

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hulagun

Haulin' A** since 1974
Yippee, my van passed smog this AM. Good for 2 more years. The tech at Folsom Test Only (in San Francisco) seemed to think that next month (May 2018), this CARB OIS exception may no longer be valid, and CARB will require that Sprinters have the T21 Recall* done to pass. Watch the CARB website for updated info.

*2 years is long time, "a lot can happen", so I'm in no hurry to get the recall done.
 

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