Smogging Texas truck in California

[cerberusiam]

Not good news: The dealer did a reflash, I drove the truck about 60 miles at freeway speed and only 2 out of 3 monitors are showing "ready" (the Misfire monitor is showing up as Not Ready).

Take it back to the dealer and make them do it again. Sounds like they missed activating one of the monitors.

 

[Regcabguy]

The weird deal is that truck could have been sold locally and registered no sweat.

 

[tigerdrvr]

My plan is to put a few more service cycles on it, bring it to the smog guy Saturday for a free re-test and see where I'm at then. Problem with going back to the dealer is TIME...

p-Bar, thanks for the letter. I think there's going to be some discussion regarding the fact that Dodge has the unlimited warranty on this item for "CA Emissions" trucks only. But, given that the trucks were sold as "50 state", I may have an argument to make. Add in the fact that the TSB was issued after all the effected trucks were already out of warranty and I think it is pretty clear that there's smoking gun, here. Dodge didn't have the right programming in the original ECM firmware for emissions testing functionality.

 

[tigerdrvr]

update: Misfire monitor still shows "Not Ready" after 200 miles. It also appears that the ECM flash the dealer did may have effected the AFR or something similar, as I now am getting black soot/residue on the quarter panel and bumper near the exhaust exit, which I had never noticed before the flash. Yeah, I know diesels can do that, but I've never had any build up on my truck prior to today.

Yes, I am pretty well ****** off, at this point. Back to the dealer on Thursday. This really shouldn't be so hard.

 

[AH64ID]

Probably a timing adjustment for mileage so it may not be a bad thing.

 

[Bob4x4]

Take it back to the delaer and make them do it again. Sounds like thgey missed activating one of the monitors.

wrong.....

 

[Bob4x4]

My plan is to put a few more service cycles on it, bring it to the smog guy Saturday for a free re-test and see where I'm at then. Problem with going back to the dealer is TIME...

p-Bar, thanks for the letter. I think there's going to be some discussion regarding the fact that Dodge has the unlimited warranty on this item for "CA Emissions" trucks only. But, given that the trucks were sold as "50 state", I may have an argument to make. Add in the fact that the TSB was issued after all the effected trucks were already out of warranty and I think it is pretty clear that there's smoking gun, here. Dodge didn't have the right programming in the original ECM firmware for emissions testing functionality.

At the time the truck was built it was not needed

 

[tigerdrvr]

At the time the truck was built it was not needed

I understand that the OBDII testing was not being done in 2004-2005. But, the fact that Dodge issued what amounts to a perpetual TSB on California trucks after they were out of warranty could be seen as admitting that they had missed the ball. If they honestly felt there was no legal or brand related issue in ignoring the fact that their certified vehicles were non-compliant, they would have done so.

My problem is that I'm in a tweener kind of situation: My truck is 50 state, but not CA spec'ed...but, last time I checked, there are only 50 states

I'm going to talk to the BAR referee this week and see what he advises. The ref at our local CC location is supposed to be a good guy.

 

[p-Bar]

I understand that the OBDII testing was not being done in 2004-2005. But, the fact that Dodge issued what amounts to a perpetual TSB on California trucks after they were out of warranty could be seen as admitting that they had missed the ball. If they honestly felt there was no legal or brand related issue in ignoring the fact that their certified vehicles were non-compliant, they would have done so.

My problem is that I'm in a tweener kind of situation: My truck is 50 state, but not CA spec'ed...but, last time I checked, there are only 50 states

I'm going to talk to the BAR referee this week and see what he advises. The ref at our local CC location is supposed to be a good guy.

I think you sell that way they got no room to move

 

[tigerdrvr]

Not sure if "no room to move" means they have to pass or they tell me tough luck

Also not sure how I can get the Misfire monitor to reset. The TSB that is out there seems specific to the Comprehensive monitor. The MIL test says the truck is ready, no CEL, no codes being thrown. 2 out of 3 monitors ready...and I'm failing because of the Misfire monitor not re-setting.

http://workshop-manuals.com/dodge/ram_2500_4wd/l6-5.9l_dsl_turbo_vin_c/relays_and_modules/relays_and_modules_powertrain_management/relays_and_modules_computers_and_control_systems/engine_control_module/component_information/technical_service_bulletins/all_technical_service_bulletins_for_engine_control_module/18-003-11/jan/11/emissions_obd_readiness_setting/

 

[p-Bar]

This bulletin applies to 2004 & 2005 vehicles equipped with a 5.9L Cummins Diesel Engine (sales code ETH) with California emissions (sales code
NAE) built after December 7, 2003.

NOTE:

2004 and 2005 EPA/Federal certified vehicles from the models above were not required to have OBD systems. This bulletin does not apply to such
vehicles because they should not be subject to an OBD inspection.


This may be the dealers way out. Does your truck have the sales code ETH?

 

[tigerdrvr]

Don, the dealer isn't really my worry. They already did the reflash that the TSB called for (which I paid for, as the truck is not ETH) and have been fine. It may be that 200 miles isn't enough to reset the Misfire monitor, but I think that is unlikely.

My worry is how the BAR looks at this situation. I spoke to a friend who was having problems getting a CA sales truck (not Dodge, but Chevy Duramax) to pass, for the same monitor readiness reason, and he was able to get the BAR referee to intervene successfully.

If I can't smog, someone out of state is going to be getting a good deal on a really clean '05 5.9

 

[p-Bar]

One other suggestion . On the side of the plastic shroud that covers the valvecover there is a sticker on there see if it says CARB approved ? I think the ETH code was for the pre 600 motor or pre 04.5 . I still have my sticker I will look after I get home from church

 

[tigerdrvr]

This is the only sticker on my valve cover. It just says "US EPA", nothing about California or OBDII.

 

[p-Bar]

OK here ya go

 

[Bob4x4]

It should pass with the 2monitors out of 3 run

 

[tigerdrvr]

It should pass with the 2monitors out of 3 run

That changed May 4...it is now all three: Comprehensive, Fuel and Misfire for diesels under 14,000GVWR up to 2006. Later trucks can have one not ready, typically I think that will be the EVAP? I think I won't be the only one scratching their head on this one.

 

[DBoyd]

Please disregard. Just testing to see if I could post.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - Diesel truck "smog checks" here in eastern Oregon are REAL tough - pay the 2 year registration fee, paste the new date stickers on, and drive off...

We sure do MISS good old California...

 

[tigerdrvr]

We may end up in the Bend/Redmond/Sister area one of these days...but, I'm staying in NorCal where the jobs are, for now