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Emissions Test in Virginia

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Old 07-07-06, 08:52 AM
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bob2200
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Default Emissions Test in Virginia

I figure this will be of interest to some.

I went for my once-every-two-years state emissions tests the other day and found out that, unlike the last one, they no longer run the car at various rpm's and measure exhaust gases. Instead, they just plug into the diagnostic data port and check for fault codes. Much less work, same charge

They did the same with the car in front of mine in line, a 1999 Nissan, so I guess this is now the standard procedure. The printout has N/A's by all the rpm/gases spaces on the sheet.
Old 07-07-06, 08:56 AM
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plex
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They do sniffer on pre 95 cars which are obd1 anything after that they check diagnostic. What year is your car?
Old 07-07-06, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by cherplex
. What year is your car?
2002. Thanks for the clarification. Interesting.
Old 07-07-06, 09:08 AM
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It's the on board diagnostics - two (OBD-II). It constantly monitors the emissions.

Since OBD-II computer has a memory, the emissions test checks first the ability to log an error, checks for the error, then resets it. This causes a check engine lite, which the test operator looks for to insure the bulb is not unplugged or burnt out.

If a check engine indication exists, the test would fail. Your emissions test would be a failure.

Since the advent of all wheel drive, many test facilities only can "spin test" a single axle. They may also do an idle "sniff" check.
Old 07-07-06, 09:40 AM
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mmarshall
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Originally Posted by Tammy
Since the advent of all wheel drive, many test facilities only can "spin test" a single axle. They may also do an idle "sniff" check.
NO. You've got it totally backwards. You cannot spin the wheels AT ALL with all-wheel-drive....especially the way most test machines do it...on a single axle. Spin just one axle on an AWD product and you will probably trash the center differential....an expensive piece of equipment. In fact, in many areas, including my own state of VA, AWD vehicles are granted a waiver and are exempt from the roller tests because of this.....you use the tailpipe sniffer instead.
Old 07-07-06, 10:10 PM
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Perhaps I wasn't clear...

What I intended to say ... since only a single axle can be tested, no spin test can be preformed.

(As the other axle would be on the ground and not on rollers, you would be driving your vehicle into the auto being tested in front of you )
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