Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) California Smog Failure

[GQuigley]

I have always passed my smog check. I took my truck over to have it smogged at a place I have taken it to for a number of years to have it checked. The truck has been running well and I didn't expect any problem. Well it failed and they said they got another inspection tool to go with their older one. They told me they had a number of 2001 CTD Rams fail and it seemed to be a particular problem with that year. The only thing I have added to the truck is a torque converter lock up switch that came with my DTT trans when I had it rebuilt. It was strongly recommended by others for towing my 5th wheel. The shop said it was probably the ECM and since Dodge didn't make them for that year anymore It would have to be rebuilt to pass. They said it wasn't 100% sure that was the problem but they suspected it was.
Has anybody else had that problem? If for sure the truck would pass if the ECM was rebuilt I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild it but money is scarce these days and if it didn't pass if rebuilt, well that would hurt. They told me that having it reflashed wasn't a solution. I would appreciate it if anybody had any similar experience.
Thanks
Gary

 

[DavidC]

Well, that stinks. What was involved in the test ?. Arizona is doing the 3 snap throttle and test the tail pipe for smoke.

Dave

 

[KATOOM]

Hmmm..... Well the first problem here is you live in southern CA where liberalism and environmentalism are gleefully singing kumbaya as they sit around the fake campfire eating tofu on a stick. Its no wonder they came up with "another" inspection tool.

But I have to ask, whats this new "tool"? Because the diesel smog law is pretty specific on what the inspection involves and what constitutes a pass or fail situation. So knowing what caused you to fail because of the TC lockup switch would be something will worth knowing in this situation to best help you out.

Other than that, my initial reaction is to suggest you take it to another shop because odds are this place is unaware that this new change in tooling isnt for your diesel truck but for something else. Sad to say that this happens way too often too. I hear it many times and I've even had my smog guy up here in conservative land tell me I needed an EO sticker for my aFe intake and for the exhaust brake and 2 lo kit solenoids mounted on the intake horn. I disputed his claim but he simply pointed to the computer screen and grunted that its telling him that I fail because of those items. So I had to find the BAR article G print out which proves that everything his stupid computer was telling him was not for my truck and that I passed. Crazy I have to do that but whatever.....

Not only am I offended that I have to smog a 15 year old truck which came from the factory equipped with ZERO emissions components, but that the government can still force me to do this all while violating the "ex post facto" clause 3 of Article I, Section 9 of the US Constitution, and.....because they've created a law which leaves all the pass/fail discrepancy to the smog tech while keeping all sensors and particulate measures out of the equation. What kinda emissions test is that????? What if the tech is having a bad day? Nonetheless, try a new smog shop before you mess with your perfectly good truck.

 

[GQuigley]

I started wondering about my ECM. If it was bad or going bad wouldn't it cause the truck to run poorly? I just got back from a vacation towing my 30' 5th wheel. On flat lands it ran fine with no problems. After I disconnected the 5'ver when I got home it ran absolutely great. I figured that the engine cleaned itself out towing the 5'ver a couple of thousand miles. It didn't smoke much and it was fun to drive. That is why I was surprised when it failed smog. If it was a faulty ECM wouldn't it run poorly or with less power? If it is the ECM maybe the program got messed up somehow and it should be reflashed! Does that make sense? My mechanic suspected it is the ECM but it is a guess on his part. I don't know but things just don't make any sense and that is why I'm asking you guys these questions because I just don't know. I mentioned to my mechanic about taking it to a Dodge dealership and he said it would fail there also because they use the some equipment he does.
Gary

 

[KATOOM]

Again, this is why I asked what was the actual failure pertaining to. They cant just give you a "well we think this was the problem" answer. It either failed because of this or that..... So find out what the heck they were talking about before doing ANYTHING. The ECM is not a cheap item to be messing with.

As for ECM and running problems..... There are various things which could or could not be affected by a faulty ECM. But typically there's telltale signs which indicate that there's a problem. Like for instance the WTS light will not respond as it normally should and there could be a code displayed on the overhead display unit. You can google for what to look for if the ECM is bad just to confirm for yourself, but honestly I think I'd be taking it to another shop.

 

[GQuigley]

Well, the problem has been solved! It was the DTT torque converter lockup which was added when I had my trans rebuilt by DTT. They disconnected it and replaced a couple of other things and it passed smog fine. So it wasn't the ECM or its program. I guess the new smog equipment they used detected the "non-stock" lockup unit and failed it. It passed in previous years so it must have been the new device they had to use.
Gary

 

[KATOOM]

Good to know.

So did you get the lock up to still work with the smog or did you have to disable it? Hopefully you were able to retain its function because the transmission needs it with the exhaust brake.

 

[DavidC]

Good grief, now they are looking for things like that. Another reason it is known as Kommiefornia I guess.

Dave

 

[KATOOM]

I would generally tend to agree with anyone calling CA a communistic state.....but unfortunately there are other states which have very similar regulatory laws, and yet sit quietly in the shadows as everyone jumps all over CA. Point being.....everyone should stay proactive on their states laws.

 

[GQuigley]

It is still disabled which at this time is fine. One of the mechanics showed me what they did so it would pass. I think he did this so I could reconnect it when towing, he didn't say so but I think he offered me that option because he knew I would need it and it really had no or very minimal effect on any pollution the truck would produce. I am glad they did cut the amount of pollution that once exited but they have gone so over board that they are destroying what was once a great state.
Gary

 

[KATOOM]

Just curious but did your truck pump out excessive smoke during the snap test or was this a OBD computer issue when they plug in the port?

 

[GQuigley]

No smoke to speak of. The only time it would smoke excessive in when towing my 5'ver up a 6% or more grade. It failed the computer readout.

 

[KATOOM]

Interesting. I wonder if the lock up device acted like or created an OBD code which triggered the inspection. If that was the case then I'd feel more comfortable about what this test involved and whether or not they were treating you fairly..... Nonetheless, I'm glad you got it all figured out.

 

[WBraico]

I agree with Katoom, take it to another shop. I did because the first shop which I have gone to the last time,now had the latest software that is totally confused with a truck this old, so after an hr. he just gave up and didn't charge me. So I asked around and found another shop in LA that did it, no questions asked and my wallet $60 lighter.

 

[Regcabguy]

I sold my DTT equipped 98.5 before the smog checks came in. It had a CEL from the moment a DTT trans w/Smart Controller was installed.
Built transmission's sure shift nice.
I'm going for standard plates this year as the camper never comes off...I think. The weight fee's 200+ bucks.

 

[KATOOM]

I sold my DTT equipped 98.5 before the smog checks came in. It had a CEL from the moment a DTT trans w/Smart Controller was installed.
Built transmission's sure shift nice.
I'm going for standard plates this year as the camper never comes off...I think. The weight fee's 200+ bucks.

I've looked into getting ride of commercial plates, and yes it is possible to remove that erroneous DMV fee as long as the camper remains on the truck. I have a few highway patrol buddies and I understand making sure what type of plates on a truck has is high on the officers priority list. Not having a camper on the truck without commercial plates will result in a huge fine and, I believe, they fine you retroactive to when you switched plates too. The only way to get away from the commercial plate fee and remove the camper or shell is to have disability plates.

 

[RVTRKN]

I wished I could do that, but in 06 or 07 California started CVRA licenses for (True) commercial vehicles. My 3500 C&C, regardless of its weight, still has to be registered as a commercial vehicle. The CVRA number is on the door and is your declared GVW OR GCVW, and your taxed on that weight you declare with the lowest you can declare at 15K. DMV goes by the VIN to separate it from the regular pickups, even the insurance goes off the VIN. I got a waiver from AAA insurance to allow me to insure it as a non commercial truck, other wise I would be paying $2000.00 a year for insurance. But DMV could care less, and I pay through the nose when I register it every year. I keep it 15K and refuse to put the number on the door, nor do I stop at scales which I'm supposed to. I do not drive it in any commercial application and only tow my personal RV's with it. I have never been bothered, so far. The camper shell is the only thing you can do to get car plates in Comifornia on a pickup, and they do look if you have car plates on a truck.

 

[KATOOM]

Good info.....

Gotta love all the "fees". In saying that, I actually dont care for the diesel truck HP war going on between the big three simply because 1) its not necessary as no one needs 900 hp / 1000 ft lbs in order to tow around your every day trailers. And 2) when they keep raising the ratings, all this does is raise DMV and insurance fees and place add license restrictions on the consumer (depending on where you live).

Rather I'd prefer that they start pouring all that HP/tq into the larger trucks like 2 ton so that if you "need" such immense towing capability then you have an option.

Just me opinion.....

 

[Mick2500]

David, You are in Maricopa county, down here in Tucson they 'supposedly' only do the Exhaust opacity test. I just had my 2001.5 HO 6spd tested and they held me for 15 minutes while they tried to find a way to fail me for no CAT? They also didn't like the oil catch can I installed at the end of the road draft crankcase vent pipe. All it does is catch the oil drips that would litter my garage floor if I let it vent to the road. Our only test down here 'should' be the opacity test, I blew a 2% on a 30% limit.
Mick in Tucson
It's time for the EPA to be de-funded

 

[DavidC]

David, You are in Maricopa county, down here in Tucson they 'supposedly' only do the Exhaust opacity test. I just had my 2001.5 HO 6spd tested and they held me for 15 minutes while they tried to find a way to fail me for no CAT? They also didn't like the oil catch can I installed at the end of the road draft crankcase vent pipe. All it does is catch the oil drips that would litter my garage floor if I let it vent to the road. Our only test down here 'should' be the opacity test, I blew a 2% on a 30% limit.
Mick in Tucson
It's time for the EPA to be de-funded

My draft tube is still original although they did try to find the cat one year. I told him "good luck finding it" and he finally gave up. My opacities are extremely low also and wish it was a 2 year registration like gassers. It is all a money making fiasco.

Dave