OBDII "not ready" after battery disconnect.

[jonrpick]

Short version... 2000 Astro quit running a year ago. Just finally addressed it. The tag is expired. I need a new emissions test to get it tagged. The battery was dead for a year and the computer reset. It needs to be driven for an unknown (to me) distance in order to get it past emissions testing.

How far?

Need a tag to drive. Need emissions testing to tag. Need to drive to pass emissions.

It's a paradox!

Thanks

 

[Phil513]

I go through this every year with my old Lexus. It has some minor problem that throws a vacuum code of some sort. I turn it off with my OBD, drive around, get it smogged, and it comes back on again. lol.

I usually go 80 miles, but I have pulled it off as low as 45 miles.

 

[jonrpick]

I don't know how I can put that many miles on it with an expired tag... hence the conundrum.

 

[Phil513]

Yeah, I don't think you can just jack up the wheels and run it lol. I try to put in some mixed driving.

You could always "borrow" a plate off another one of your cars and roll the dice. Yeah, I know, bad idea. But it's been done.

 

[Phil513]

Actually, can't you get a one day permit? The DMV issues those. That should be plenty enough.

 

[rampage]

Don't know about GA, but in CA you can get temporary tags that you place in your rear window that are valid for a month.

 

[sweetk30]

search DRIVE CYCLE for your vehicle .

its a step by step factory way to get the monitors to run and get you ready for the plug in test .

 

[jonrpick]

Thanks! "Drive Cycle" was the term I was missing...

http://www.obdii.com/drivecycle.html

 

[paratrooper307]

Most states will give you a temporary permit for the purposes of getting the vehicle to the DMV or inspection station.

 

[jonrpick]

I just did the card board tag. I know it's illegal. I see it all the time when people buy cars from private sellers and don't get the correct temporary. I figured it was no worse than the expired tag on there, though I probably should've just left that on there.

Either way, I rolled up to the closest emissions station, which was a lot closer than the one I failed at. The previous one was chosen strictly because it was close to my mechanic. I guess the drive home from my mechanic was enough of a drive cycle, as it passed with no problems the 2nd time around. At that point, I just went straight to the tag office and updated my existing tag. All is good again.

Now I gotta de-moldify the stupid thing. It sat too long, and grew fur inside.

 

[Phil513]

I just did the card board tag. I know it's illegal. I see it all the time when people buy cars from private sellers and don't get the correct temporary. I figured it was no worse than the expired tag on there, though I probably should've just left that on there.

Either way, I rolled up to the closest emissions station, which was a lot closer than the one I failed at. The previous one was chosen strictly because it was close to my mechanic. I guess the drive home from my mechanic was enough of a drive cycle, as it passed with no problems the 2nd time around. At that point, I just went straight to the tag office and updated my existing tag. All is good again.

Now I gotta de-moldify the stupid thing. It sat too long, and grew fur inside.

Congrats dude, I'm glad it worked out!