I Turned Check Engine light off-Can I pass smog

[V8FORD EXPLORER]

I have a 1998 Ford Explorer XLT and I used a CP9125 pocket scan code reader to turn off my check engine light. When I took my vehicle in to have it smogged I ended up failing the smog test because the Check engine light was on. I passed the emissions part of the test, and I am wondering if it is possible to pass smog when I go to a smog shop next and the check engine light is not lit up?

 

[BigRondo]

Welcome aboard!!

It's tough to say if you will pass or not.

I can tell you that in Massachusetts they hook your vehicle up to the computer and it does the readings. They don't go by the vehicle's check engine light.

Good luck.

 

[Carguy3J]

Turning off the light does NOT fix anything. It just erases the code. It will come back on, because that is what it is supposed to do. This is meant to "encourage" people, such as yourself, to not ignore the problem, and actually fix it.

Further, clearing trouble codes also clears the OBD2 "readiness" flag. This is a code which indicates that the vehicle has experienced all the needed "drive cycles", or specific operating conditions, in order to allow the computer to perform the required diagnostics. This alone will cause an inspection fail, as the computer will "rat you out" to the inspection station, making it clear that the codes have been recently cleared.

The only way to set the "readiness flag" is to drive it for a while, or follow the Ford OBD drive cycle requirments. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2346448#post2346448

Of course that will just turn the light back on as well, unless you fix the actual problem first.