Hey guys I need help with a certain problem.

Let me give you guys the background. So my car (2002 WRX Sedan) has a CEL that I'm getting fixed, but my friend's shop doesn't have an open spot for another few weeks. The problem is my engine is running lean, but I need to take it in for a diagnostic to figure out the problem.

The thing is that my DMV car registration is pass due and I have to do a smog check this year, I have already paid for the registration so that is taken care of. I took my car in to get a smog check, it passed the smog test but the technician can't submit my approval to the DMA b/c of the CEL.

Right now my main concern is driving around without the new 2009 registration sticker. And since I can't take my car into the shop for a couple more weeks I won't be able to get it for a while, so I'm worried.

I was wondering does anyone know a place around San Jose where I can take it in and they can make an "exception". My car passed the smog check, but they can't do anything b/c of the CEL. Any help is much appreciated, or any suggestions on what I should do is welcomed as well.

Thanks

 

You will only get pulled over and reminded about it for the first six months of expiration. After that, they tow on sight. That includes streets, parking lots, or while you are driving. I drove my Suby around with expired tags for a few months.

 

Good luck finding a SMOG check that will pass you with a CEL (unless they REALLY like you and are willing to put their reputation on the line) - best bet is to contact the DMV and tell them your predicament and get temporary registration until you can get smogged.

They do it all the time.

 

What is the CEL for?

 

Most likely a lean code.

My experience with lean codes has been MAF, BPV, Vac. leak, and 1 time it was a faulty coilpack.

 

a technician cant pass you or make an exception it does not work like that,its not his/her choice with a post 96 car. the smog machine records and fails you for the MIL not the tech. the OBD2 functional test that a smog machine does reads the MIL status if its lit=fail

on your VIR witch is a record of the test you took home it will indicate the codes read by the machine.

 

indeed. I run a smog test only station and THAT is the procedure.

There is way to bypass the system though. Be creative to say the least.

 

Does your CEL turn on immediately? Can you get a OBDII reader or an AP, clear the code in the parking lot, and then get it tested? Or heck, pull the battery for a minute?

 

theres a place in san jose. i took my boyfriends car there awhile ago he had a twin turbo 300zx. that car absolutely would not pass and we knew it! but we took it over to the shop and we just talked to the guy and he asked for $140 or was it $180? and he made it pass. hes done it a lot of times too, to my other friends hondas and stuff. hes a cool guy, some viet dude. oh yea their licensed too.

its at 914 commercial st, san jose (408)437-5789

 

i better know the procedure im a tech lol,yea there is allways sneaky sneaky,but whos gonna pull that crap and lose everything? did you see that tech from up north in the blast he got a $13k fine for clean piping


yea then he fails for monitor ready status. OP please dont do that.

 

lol I think I know who you're talking about...but maybe you should've pm'd the address to the OP.

 

yeah shoudln't be posting info like that on public forums
never know who else is reading

 

bad idea, thanks for correcting me.

 

Thanks for all the post guys, I really appreciate it.

I already cleaned the MAF and the CEL still occurs. After resetting it with a ODB meter it would pop up again after driving for a while, not instantly.

Most likely the CEL is from a vac leak (forgot the code), but not sure where, thats why I need to take it into my friend's shop so he can strip it down and take a look at it. He thinks it might be my up-pipe or downpipe that might be clogged or something, b/c my boost hardly kicks in and the engine feels really sluggish.

I already recieved a letter from the DMV saying that got my payment but can't complete the registration until they get the notice from the smog check. I'll give them a call and see if I can get a temp registration for now until I can get my car fixed.

 

Eh, $13k is nothing. I seen as high as $125k fine and lose of license indefinitely. hahaha