Check Engine Light (MIL)

During the smog functional test, the smog check technician will be looking for an illuminated check engine light, malfunction indicator lamp, or service engine soon light.

The smog technician or mechanic will be looking for an illuminated check engine light during the smog inspection.  The only time the technician wants to see the check engine light on is when the ignition is in the ON position, and engine not running.

If the check engine light is not illuminated while the ignition is in ON position and engine off, this too causes an immediate smog check failure. The fact that the check engine light does not turn on during ignition ON may be due to a defective emissions control computer and/or a defective light bulb.  Both are failures.

During the last phase of the smog test, the technician will be asked to enter your vehicle's check engine light visual results. They will enter the data as noted. Check engine light OFF or ON. That alone will determine your vehicle's success in passing the test or not.

*Tip*

- When the check engine light is illuminated while the engine is running, it will cause an automatic smog check failure.

2.

Vehicle Data Link (OBDII) Functional Test

The second part of Check Engine Light test applies to 1996 or newer vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with an On Board Diagnostics (OBD II) system and input/output data link connecter (DLC). During the smog check inspection your vehicle will be attached to the smog machine via it's OBD II data link connecter. The OBD II link will relay all "Check Engine" conditions along with stored trouble codes within it's database to the smog machine while the vehicle is being tested. If any trouble codes are present which caused the check engine light to illuminate either regularly or intermittently, the data will be sent to the smog machine via the data link connecter cable and the vehicle will fail the smog inspection.

The OBD II diagnostic system is designed to monitor all aspects of an engine's emissions control system, and report this information to a central database within the vehicle's on board computer. This information is processed and checked against the computer's pre-determined values for various inputs levels and performance patterns. If any problems are found, the computer will determine whether to alert the driver or not. If a decision has been made to alert the driver of an emissions problem, the "Check Engine" or "Engine Malfunction" light will illuminate on the vehicle's dashboard. In more serious emission conditions the computer may even begin to rapidly flash the "Check Engine/Malfunction" light indicating to the driver, that the vehicle needs immediate diagnosis/repair attention.

*Tip*

- The OBDII Functional Test also checks the readiness status of your vehicle's on board computer.  If you recently have disconnected/replaced the battery or cleared the check engine light with a scanner, you must drive the vehicle for one week under normal driving conditions (to insure that the on board computer is ready and has run all of the monitors).

- If the check engine light is illuminated, we advise finding a reputable smog check repair station to diagnose the check engine or service engine soon light.  In the long run, you will save more time and money by properly repairing your vehicle than trying to avoid detection and/or repairs.  Remember, your vehicle wastes more fuel when it is not running properly !    

3.

Engine Ignition Timing 

Your vehicle's engine ignition timing will be inspected during the smog test. The smog technician will insure ignition timing is set properly, and the system is supplying electric current to the sparkplugs at the correct intervals.

Spark, 15,000 to 20,000 volts, is created at the engine's ignition coil. Electricity is delivered to the coil, a spark is generated, then sent to the distributor. It is the distributors responsibility to route the spark to the correct spark plug, at the correct time. The timing inspection will insure the distributor is sending spark plug energy at the exact moment required for optimum air/fuel combustion. Adjusting a vehicle's ignition timing is performed by rotating the distributor clockwise or counterclockwise direction as needed.

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