Matching You with a Pre-Screened Smog Check Center You will Love
Free Online Smog Check Diagnosis
$500 Free Consumer Repair Assistance
Failed Emissions Test
How to Pass the Test
Who Else Wants To Pass the Smog Check
Miles: 
Which Type Should I Choose?
 
   
    Forum > Failed Smog Test > Question

Join the community and post your questions. Ask-A-Tech right now!
 
 



Failed Smog Test
 

How To Complete a Chevy Cavalier Drive Cycle

My 2001 Chevy Cavalier had a p0442 small vapor leak. I fixed the leak and drove countless miles. The check engine light hasn't turned on since, but my Chevy Cavalier still keeps failing smog test. The EVAP and Catalyst monitor are incomplete. If the check engine light is not on how do I know what's wrong with the car? What should I be looking to fix and how do I set the emission monitors? How do I complete a drive cycle on my Chevy Cavalier?


Answer:  

Since repairing your Chevy Cavalier it must be driven for at least 200-300 miles through various driving conditions in order to complete certain Emission Monitors. Emission monitors (also known as Readiness Flags) are internal self-tests which the Engine Control Unit performs to ensure a vehicle is not polluting and is running efficiently. The entire process of self-testing various emission control systems is called a Drive Cycle.

HOW TO PERFORM A CHEVY CAVALIER DRIVE CYCLE

The following is a CHEVROLET OBDII Drive Cycle Pattern. (Obey all traffic laws while performing drive cycles. Perform acceleration steps only on highways)

COLD START: Begin from Cold Start, and ignition in OFF position for at least 1 hour. Insure fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full. Engine coolant temperature must be below 122°F and within 11°F of the ambient air temperature. Do not leave the key on prior to the cold start or the heated oxygen sensor diagnostic may not run.

IDLE TIME: Run engine (do not drive) for 2 1/2 minutes with the air conditioner on and rear defroster on. During this period the ECU will be running the Oxygen Sensor Heater self-test, Air Injection System Passive Air test, EVAP Purge "No Flow" test, Misfire Detection.

ACCELERATE: Turn off the air conditioner and rear defroster and begin driving. As soon as possible apply half throttle until 55mph is reached. The ECU will now run self-tests on the Misfire Detection, Fuel Trim, and EVAP Purge Flow.

HOLD STEADY: Now hold your speed steady at 55mph for three minutes. During this time the Oxygen Sensor O2 response, Air Intrusive (AIS System), EGR Flow, Purge Valve, Misfire Detection, and Fuel Trim diagnostics will be performed.

DECELERATE: During this step you want to slowly let off the accelerator pedal. Do not brake or shift in order to slow down (don't press the clutch if equipped). It is important to let the vehicle coast along gradually slowing down to 20 mph. The ECU will once again self-test the EGR System, EVAP Purge System and Long Term Fuel Trims.

ACCELERATE: Go ahead and accelerate again at 3/4 throttle until 55-60mph is reached. This will perform the same self tests as during the first acceleration step.

HOLD STEADY: Hold steady speed once again. This time at 55mph for five minutes. During this time, in addition to running the self-tests as during the first HOLD STEADY step, the ECU will perform the catalyst monitor diagnostics. If the catalyst (Catalytic Converter) is marginal or the battery has been disconnected, it may take 5 complete driving cycles to determine the state of the catalyst,or in order to Complete the CAT Monitor.

DECELERATE: This will perform the same diagnostics as in the first Deceleration. Remember not to press the brakes or shift gears (don't press the clutch if equipped).

HOW TO COMPLETE INDIVIDUAL MONITORS

Catalyst Monitor (CAT): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Intake Air Temperature (IAT) above 32 Degrees (F), Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is above 167 Degrees (F); Mass Air Flow sensor is indicating greater than 15 gm/s, engine load is below 63% and steady, engine speed is below 3000 RPM. 

1. Idle vehicle 5 minutes (achieve closed loop) 

2. Drive 5 min at steady speed above 55 mph 

3. Drive 2 min at steady 40 mph 

4. Drive 2 min at steady 55 mph 

EGR Monitor (EGR): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) is above 75 Degrees (F); barometric pressure (BARO) above 72kPa.

1. Idle vehicle 5 minutes (achieve closed loop) 

2. Accelerate and drive for 1 min at steady speed above 50 mph 

3. Slow vehicle down to 20 mph. Do not use brake clutch, or shift gears. 

4. Repeat steps two and three 5 times. 

GM and Chevy run their EGR monitor during the deceleration portion of the drive cycle. 

Evaporative Monitor (EVAP): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Fuel tank between 1/4 and 3/4 full.

1. Drive 5 min at steady speed between 30 and 60 mph 

2. Stop vehicle and idle engine for 4 minutes.

3. Turn engine off. Remove ignition key.

The ECU will run the EVAP Monitor once the engine has been shut down and ignition turned off.

O2 Sensor Monitor (O2): 

Prerequisite: No trouble codes present, Intake Air Temperature (IAT) above 32 Degrees (F); Engine Control Temperature (ECT) is above 167 Degrees (F)

1. Idle vehicle 4 minutes (achieve closed loop) 

2. Drive 3 min at steady speed above 50 mph 

3. Drive 2 min at steady 40 mph 

4. Drive 2 min at steady 50 mph 


posted by SmogTips Support
 


Related questions and answers you might find useful:

by Sales

by Sales

How Do I Get a Smog Check Waiver? by Margaret

Do I Need a Smog Check This Year? by Joy

Mini Cooper DMV Registration Due in 5 Day Won't Pass Smog by anne