Your 1997 Honda Accord is equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics system
called OBD II. Your Honda's OBD II computer system is designed to monitor
all aspects of your Honda Accord's engine emission conditions and report
this information to a central database within the OBDII computer. This
information is processed and checked against the computer's pre-determined
values for various inputs levels and performance patterns of your vehicle.
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 begin to rapidly flash the "Check Engine/Malfunction" light
indicating to the driver, that the vehicle needs immediate diagnosis/repair
attention. An illuminated check engine light will cause your Honda Accord to
fail the smog test. This much we know... Now as for the "monitors" or
"readiness flags"...
While your Honda Accords OBD II system is performing its internal self
tests, it set monitors as "completed" indicating that those particular
emission systems are working properly. If your 1997 Honda Accord's battery
had been recently removed, replaced, disconnect and reconnected or was dead
and your Honda Accord had to be jump started, the emissions monitors were
erased from your Honda's computer. You must drive your Honda for at least
one to two weeks before retaking the smog check.
Your 1997 Honda Accord failed the smog inspection because the proper and
required Readiness Flags or Monitors were not set or complete. So to
recap... Your Honda Accord could fail the smog inspection if any Trouble
Codes are present and the check engine light is on, and it can also fail the
smog check without the Check Engine light on, but monitors not set. Monitors
not set will not cause your Honda's Check Engine light to turn on, but will
cause it not to pass the smog test.
In order to complete the monitors on your Honda Accord you will need to
drive it through 2 or 3 "drive cycles" in order to complete the monitors.
Then your 1997 Honda Accord can pass the smog check. Drive cycles vary per
vehicle - usually 1-2 weeks worth of driving is enough.
