The State of New York sucks!

[PBking82]

I went to get my new inspection today along with tires and got stuck waiting at the place for close to 3 1/2 hours! Then I come to find out that I have a non-responding Catalyst and Oxygen Sensor. I was told that this is a result of my previous battery trouble which was just fixed in the last couple weeks. I was also told that I could do an on-board computer test to fix this problem(of course they didn't tell me how to do it), when they wan't to charge me the minium $100 for a diagnostic. This is all a result of New York now requiring instant notification of all inspections via a very expensive computer system that checks the vehicle computer. Anyone know of this elusive computer test that would allow me to fix these electrical problems. The sooner the better as my inspection is up on the 11th and the cops are dicks around here. Thanks to all. Peace-

[hunter01]

An 02 Chevy has obdII (ON Board Diagnostic II). This requires a scan tool to erase any codes stored in the computer. I've read in this forum that Autozone stores will retrieve the codes for free. If the problem is fixed it should just be a matter of erasing the codes, I dont know if they will charge you for this.

[BlazerLT]

what year is the truck?

[PBking82]

Its an 02 xtreme. I don't think you need the scanner to fix this. The tech at the inspection station was saying I can do it by just driving around and the truck will perform a test. Like I said he didn't tell me how to do it though. Peace-

[chcknugget]

yeah, I'm from Rochester NY and inspections suck hardcore. Last year I dropped my jimmy off to be inspected, and pep boys called saying it passed except the "rearview mirror had fallen off." How the hell did it fall off? These punks must have ripped my mirror off. Now I had 2 options: go and fix it myself in their parking lot for 2 bucks and wait for them to reinspect my car, or pay 20 bucks and have them glue it up there and get the car back today. I payed the 20 bucks, but my rearview mirror now shakes all over the place. Inspections are such a scam!

[PBking82]

Well its all good now. I talked to a reputbale chevy dealer and the tech said to let the car warm up, turn all accessories off, accelerate to 45mph sustaned for 5min, then idle while applying the brake for 2min. Did all this and took it to get inspected and it was all good. The only bad thing is they screwed me outta 11bucks for a new emissions test. Peace-

[Brokebyford]

Don't feel bad you got lucky.Mine passed emissions and all was good till the mechanic noticed an oil leak.It seems that now you can't pass inspection in NY anymore if you have any fluid leaks.Took it to my mechanic to get the leak fixed and it ended up being a bad crank bearing which had damaged the crank and was causing the rear main to leak.Now the motor is in his dumpster and the truck is getting a one way trip to the crusher.

[chcknugget]

My friend has an old chrysler reliant K, and he went to get it inspected, but the shop said they couldn't pass it because it had a bunch of small rust holes in it's doors and rocker panels. So now my buddy's out in his garage working with a dremel tool and some bondo...

Does anyone know if my hypertech programming is going to change my emissions? Should I remove it anyways because I'm having my jimmy inspected at a dealer? I've heard the dealer can't do computer upgrades if you have the programming in.

[chcknugget]

Just got it inspected. It failed the first time because their computer could not connect with mine for some reason. So they charged me an extra 11 bucks to plug it back in and try again. Anyways, my rear license plate socket had fallen out so that was all that needed replacing.

Do any of you know how many front turn signal lights are required to pass inspection? For example if the bumper signal lights were removed but the ones in my composites were still there. It seems like some cars only have one pair of front turn signals while others have two.

[BlazerLT]

You allowed then to charge you more because their computer wouldn't connect the first time? Jesus, I wouldn't , they are just scamming you.

No idea on the turn signals, but if you have two I don't think they can do anything to you.

[rlith]

No, they aren't scamming him.... He paid for an inspection that failed, he had to have it reinspected and he passed...

[BlazerLT]

A communication error is not a fail, they would usually check the connectors or something for dirt or something but charging him 11 bucks just to plug in the port again?

That is a scam, not an expensive scam, but a scam in any light.

[Mikado14]

In Pennsylvania, you pay for the first emission inspection and if it fails, the second is free.

[swalt]

And I thought Ontario emissions tests were a pain in the butt. We just get the probe in the tailpipe and a dyno run to 40km/hr and quick vehicle inspection for holes/saftey/gas cap pressure check. What I think is a scam is the Ontario gov't testing vehicles that are only two years old or vehicles that are less than two years old and being resold to a second owner. The vehicles are hardly broken in, but you can't get registered until you ante up your $40 bucks for the test and pass.

[Mikado14]

Ahhh, good ole Berks county in Pennsylvania, my '93 only gets a visual under the safety inspection --- $27.