So I took my car to get a smog the other day (Cali) and it ended up failing (car threw the cel code p0102). Weird thing is that my car didn't and still doesn't show a check engine light. The only way you'd know there is a code is if you plug in a code reader. Since the smog fail I've tried a few different things to fix the issue with no luck, including:

1) cleaning the MAF sensor
2) cleaning my AFE reusable drop in filter (dry) and intake housing
3) clearing the code, reseting the ecu and driving the car until all emissions monitors were ready

Not sure if my MAF sensor is bad - I have the OBD fusion app and have the 'mass air flow rate' and 'intake air temperature' gauge as one of my monitors and the car seems to be displaying values consistently. The MAF rate is at 1 lb/min at idle and seems to consistently display a reading as I drive. I haven't tested the sensor or wiring in any way, but could the sensor be bad despite giving a consistent MAF reading?

Could this code be related to any other emissions related component? I recently swamped my PPE headers out and went back to stock. No issues encountered during the swamp and replaced the o2 sensors with new ones.

 

I am asking because I don't know how far crazy Cali is...but do they fail you for 'Pending' Trouble Codes? Also, when they connect their box into the OBDII port, is this the single code that trips up their system to give you a fail? Especially if there is no CEL showing on the dash?

Doesn't Cali grant you at least (one) CEL code to pass? Also baring any other safety equip issues, can't you also pass for no visible CEL?

Seems a little weird for me...

 

I would check for loose vacuum hoses and clamps. Check for cracks and see if the mass sensor is seated on properly. I had one issue similar to yours a while back when I was cleaning my MAF sensor. I didn't properly seat the sensor in and caused a pending code like yours. I reinstalled the MAF sensor and made sure it pop in.

 

I indeed failed due to that single code that came up when they plugged into my OBD II port and ran the diagnostic. Other than that there were no other issues that came up during the smog.
Cali would probably be the last state to give a pass on an issue related to emissions...

 

Hey so when you reset the code and drive the 100 miles to reset the sensors the code comes back? Strange the cel doesn’t come on. Does the code really clear ?

 

The code comes back right away after I try clearing it with a code reader and also when I try clearing it by pulling the fuses under the hood. It doesn't even stay "off" for a second before it pops right back up on the reader. I've also driven the car ~100 since the last reset and it's still there.

 

Sorry to hear this I’m in NorCal- Bay Area and would let you try my MAF sensor to see if the code resets. Let me know if your local we can try it out.

 

Thanks for the offer, I'm in Socal, but appreciate the offer!

 

Was able to get my hands on a working MAF sensor and even with the working sensor the code still shows up even after a battery reset and 50+ miles of driving until the emissions monitors are at the ready state.
May be a wiring issue? If it is anyone know how pricey this can get? Do they have to replace the entire harness, or is it just a section?

What makes me think it's not a wiring issue is that I have the OBD fusion app and I can clearly see the MAF readings as I'm driving the car. If it was a wiring issue I would assume I'd see the value 0 all the time.

 

Just to provide some clarity. What this sounds like is a "Permanent" code.

Permanent codes are a new thing is 2010 and newer vehicles so folks are not up to speed on them yet. With the check engine light off and a permanent code present does not mean there is anything wrong with your car. It means there WAS something wrong with your car and those codes are going to stay around a while to make sure you fixed it right. If not for a CA SMOG you can basically ignore Permanent codes they are not hurting anyone hanging around inside a ECU.

You cannot clear a permanent code with a scanner or battery disconnect.

You can pass a CA SMOG check with a permanent code in place as long as you have these items in place:
No Check Engine Light (meaning no current codes)
Monitors Complete (Except for EVAP, that can be incomplete)
And this is the important part: Driven 200 miles and have 15 Warm Up cycles since the last time the DTC's codes were cleared.

Now doing this 200/15 task will not clear the Permanent code but rather the CA SMOG machine has been programmed to ignore the Permanent code if 200 / 15 is complete.

Warm up cycles are simply the engine getting up to a normal operating temperature then cooling back down below a certain temp. Below is a video of a guy forcing them on a car with a fan to aid in cooling things down. This can be done in your driveway if you want. The standard for most cars is Up to 160 degrees then it wants to see a 40 degree difference. So cold start up to 160 is 1 warm up cycle. Cool Down to 120 and back up to 160 would be #2. But could vary depending on the car.

Most scanners should have the Data PID's that will show you how many warm up cycles you have done and how long you have driven. If those are better than 200/15 you are good to go for a smog. Look in your "DataStream" or "Live Data" list

If you go for the smog and the inspector turns you away because of a permanent code tell them to kindy run your vehicle through the test. It's not thier job to save you from a fail. They are to run the vehicle as it is presented, that is what the BAR tells them.

If they wont give you a test file a complaint with the State BAR and keep trying another place.
BAR Complaint