I got my first emissions notice in the mail this month. It looks like they ARE testing for OBD. It doesn't mention any fine for not having OBD in working shape or not being able to plug into the OBD port, but it does say that no further emissions testing will be required if OBD is in working condition. Otherwise you will have to continue to get yearly inspections. Hmmm, I'm thinking go in this first time with my OBD-II working correctly, pass, then swap to OBD-I in the future. :) Anyway, do any of you guys have any insight as to how this works?

Last time that I went in for emissions, they put a sensor in the exhaust. Then they took the car to redline on a dyno. Whole experience was less than 15 minutes. It was a shame that they have to rev the begeesus out of it though.

According to the notice I got, they're going to actually plug into the port and verify that it is operating correctly. Maybe it's new for 2003. I'm due next month so I'll post the experience here.

Haven't done emissions yet, however, the testing center is half a mile from my house.

I have to go for emissions this spring. Last time I went they put my car on the dyno and tested the emissions level at certain RPMS. They never redlined it though. I know for OBDII all they do is plug into the OBDII port and your done, but OBDI they put you on the dyno.

Keep us updated on what happens.

When I went with a buddy in his 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix in late fall they simply plugged into OBDII port and checked the status of the system. They did not run the car on the dyno. Last time I went was before they started doing that type of testing so my car was on the rollers. AFAIK they do the plug-in test now. If you do the OBDI swap you might be able to rig up something to fool the computer, but I wouldn't want to get caught and it isn't worth getting caught.

Well, based on what the notice said, if you fail the OBD test, they just run the regular exhaust test. So, if you pass the exhaust test you're still in compliance.

I don't remember them doing an OBD test, but the last car I had there was a 93 model. Things must have changed.

Yeah, sorry, I should've stated that it's for OBD-II cars (96 and newer) that they're going to test this way.

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
Well, based on what the notice said, if you fail the OBD test, they just run the regular exhaust test. So, if you pass the exhaust test you're still in compliance.

That would really surprise me! Is that exactly what it says? Wouldn't one fail the visual inspection without a cat even if you passed the smog test? It seems to me that it would be similar with non-functioning OBDII equipment.

This is what it says:

ATTENTION OWNERS OF 1996 AND NEWER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS!

Beginning in late July 2002, the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) Test will replace the traditional exhaust emissions test for most 1996 and newer passenger cars and light duty trucks (including vans and sport utility vehicles).

Vehicle OBD systems are designed to alert motorists of vehicle malfunctions that cause or contribute to high exhaust or evaporative emissions. A special lamp on the dash called a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate upon detection of an emissions-related malfunction. The system also stores fault codes and other information that indicates which system or component might be causing the problem.

The OBD I/M test consists of two parts: First, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on the vehicle dash will be checked to ensure it is working. Second, a scan tool will be connected to the vehicle's on-board computer to determine OBD system status (readiness checks), to retrieve any stored diagnostic trouble codes, and to determine MIL illumination status (commanded on or off).

Vehicles PASSING the OBD test will no longer receive the exhaust emissions test. Vehicles will PASS the OBD I/M test if the test determines that the vehicle's OBD system is working, that all required emission control systems checks have been completed, and the dashboard emissions Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is not commanded to be illuminated by the on-board computer.

Vehicles FAILING the OBD test will continue to receive the exhaust test, which will be used to determine compliance. Vehicles will FAIL the OBD I/M test if the MIL does not work, or if the MIL is illuminated and diagnostic codes are present. Vehicles will also fail if the standardized diagnostic link connecter (DLC) is missing, damaged, or the vehicle OBD system is inoperable.

i just got the emissions tested on my '96 cherokee like a week and a half ago. they just plugged it into the obd port and gave me the results like 2 minutes later. no revving or anything. i was there for maybe like 5 minutes total.

Yeah, that sounds good. Since they just plugged into the port, I'm assuming you didn't need to warm up the cat beforehand since they didn't do the exhaust test?

nope. just drove in, drove out. pretty simple.

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
I got my first emissions notice in the mail this month. It looks like they ARE testing for OBD. It doesn't mention any fine for not having OBD in working shape or not being able to plug into the OBD port, but it does say that no further emissions testing will be required if OBD is in working condition. Otherwise you will have to continue to get yearly inspections. Hmmm, I'm thinking go in this first time with my OBD-II working correctly, pass, then swap to OBD-I in the future. :) Anyway, do any of you guys have any insight as to how this works?

Hey,

Don't even think about it.

You will more then likely pass your first OBD II inspection.

After you switch to OBD I and you return for Federal emissions testing you can expect to have a painful experience when you return for testing with an OBD I car.

You car has been registered as OBD II and it will "NOT" conform to OBD II specifications after you swap to OBD I.

Your car will be seized at the emissions testing facility under Federal emissions law and you will be arrested with a big time penalty and fine in court. You might even make the local news as a scofflaw example, maybe cnn too.

Btw, there's no internet access at the Fedaral detention center in Chicago to post to bf. :help

Bring mucho dinero with you to bond out and to cab it home.

So, what your saying is not to swap to OBD-I. :)

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
So, what your saying is not to swap to OBD-I. :)

Hey Rel,

In September 2001 my s/c car passed emissions inspection on the roller in Schaumburg.

The inspector "kid" first tried to connect to my OBD II port, but it was up inside the panel. I forgot to fasten it down the last time I was in there replacing the clutch bushing. So he did the roller and inspected for the cats and the size of the fuel filler pipe, checking the smaller size for unleaded gas. He also tested my gas cap for tight sealing.

Prior to rebuilding my engine to handle 12 psi and installing a s/c I looked at dropping a euro engine in my daily driver. There was no way my registered 97 M3 "daily driver" would pass emissions inspection and the penalties were too much for me to deal with.

It would be ok with a 1995 OBD I M3 daily driver or a dedicated track prepared car that is not licensed for the street. Many of the local club racers dropped a euro engine in their 95 M3 and some are legal on the street with a stock type of exhaust system.

Your OBD II car will pass emissions with no sweat.

The way it stands, anyway, I may not be keeping the car for very much longer after the emissions test next month.

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
The way it stands, anyway, I may not be keeping the car for very much longer after the emissions test next month.

No!! Leaving BMW? :(

Probably for a little while at least. Thinking of buying a house this summer. But I'll be back. :)

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
Probably for a little while at least. Thinking of buying a house this summer. But I'll be back. :)

lol, get a house trailer, mod it with dual turbos for 1/4 mile in under 5 seconds.

Be the only performance house trailer in the world. :mdrbig

yeah, but I sure as hell can't corner with it! :D

Just moved to Naperville and would like to know if they do emissions testing here, or is that just if you live in Chicago. I've got an AA track pipe and need to know if I should change back to the original center pipe for any sort of testing.

Yeah, emissions testing is a state-wide deal. What year is your M3?

Damn, I just installed the track pipe too. Anyway, it's a '95. Does it make a difference? Also, do you need to have a license plate in the front as well as the rear of the car?

Yes, liscense plates are part of the inspection. (I think)

I'm not sure if license plates are part of the inspection, but the front one is required in Illinois. Too bad it's a 95, because the OBD test doesn't apply to pre-96 models. I was thinking that the O2 simulators on the AA track pipes might fool the OBD test.

I don't know if they check it, but I was warned for not having a front plate. A Chicago cop told me that they are going to be using traffic cameras and that they take a picture of the front plate and the driver. Hence the need for the front plate.

Oh, I got a warning for missing the front plate on my GTP after getting pulled over for speeding a while back. I've had a front plate on all my cars ever since.

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
Probably for a little while at least. Thinking of buying a house this summer. But I'll be back. :)

Let me know if you want to sell your ellipsoids/HIDS :D (shameless I know)

Originally posted by nodemgr
Let me know if you want to sell your ellipsoids/HIDS :D (shameless I know)

Actually, I have a buyer lined up for them, but he wants me to install the DDE Gen IVs first. The kit's been sitting in my basement for months. If the deal falls through I'll let you know. :)

Originally posted by Rel44 M3
Oh, I got a warning for missing the front plate on my GTP after getting pulled over for speeding a while back. I've had a front plate on all my cars ever since.

I'm still plateless. Like a rebel. :stickoutt