emissions failure/check engine light. please help!

I have a 2000 Olds Intrigue, and it has been one problem after another. I failed my inspections b/c of emissions, which I dont even understand what the heck emissions means! But someone said that I needed to get the code, I am assuming that is from the diagnostic computer? But I don't understand what that means. My check engine light is on and I can't pass inspection w/out it turning off, can anyone tell me what any of this means? I am very car clueless.

Thank you!!

You need to go to a garage or auto parts store that will give you a free diagnostic code scan. Otherwise you can go to any garage or dealership and pay between $40-80 for them to scan the codes. I believe autozone stores in the US give free code scans... they hook up a small hand-held computer and retrieve any "trouble codes" that your vehicles computer has stored. If your Check engine light is on, then without a doubt you have a trouble code stored and many states will not allow you to pass an emissions test with this light on.

When you get the code, write it down or get them to print it up. they will be able to tell you what it means and measures you can take to fix it. If your lucky, they will clear the codes and you will have enough time to get to a garage to pass emissions testing before the check engine light turns back on. Its always good to fix the issue, but if the car is running fine its not going to be a big deal.

Where are you located? Never know, there might be someone nearby who could lend a hand.

I suspect that you failed emissions simply because the light was on, emissions is basically the amount of pollutants your car puts into the air. I doubt your car is a polluter, they probably just failed you on the spot because of the SES light.

As was said you should be able to pull into most auto parts store in the US. Ive personally done it at AutoZone and O'reillys. But most of them wont clear it for liability reasons, and if there is a legitimate problem, most codes come back fairly quickly.

What you could do, if you wanted to be really shady. Is buy your own code reader capable of clearing the codes, mine was about 25 bucks and you can easily get them for less than 50 that will read and clear, then make sure everything is clear before you pull into the inspection area. For example, wait your turn, as your pulling the car around clear the code, stash the reader in the console, and dont turn the car off haha. I will agree though that you should fix the car, and judging by your post date, youve got the whole month of July to do it.

I didn't know they wont clear the codes for you...that kind of sucks. A cheap code scanner is a good idea...hell maybe you could get an OBD2 scanner on a 'loan a tool' program through an auto parts store. If not buy at wal-mart and just return it :lol:

Some places do and some places dont, last time I went to AZ they told me they couldnt do it for liability reasons, makes sense I guess, especially in a world where daddy's little boy will sue you if you look at him funny.

That was what inspired me to buy my own. For the low prices its really a cheap investment. Ebay has them the cheapest id say, but if you have to have one right now Wally-World or even Harbor Freight if you have one is a good place to check. Renting one might be more expensive than its worth, unless they will give you a full refund if you bring it back within a certain period of time.....then you can rent it, go get it inspected, and bring it back. Stick it to the man!

Welcome aboard tdrawbridge. Listen to what these folks are saying. They know their cars and the Intrigue.

I also bought a OBD II code scanner from harbor Freight. I happen to catch an internet sale for a scanner that reads CAN standards as well for $39.99 (store matched the website price). Very simple to use. The folks here have seen and/or experieinced the majority of the trouble codes for the Intrigue and can help diagnose your problem.

Good luck.