System Status and Drive Cycle For Satisfying Federal Inspection

System Status For Satisfying the Federal Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Regulations

The scan tool System Info menu includes the System Status selection.

Several states require that the vehicle pass on-board (OBD II system) tests for the major diagnostics prior to having a vehicle I/M emission inspection. Some areas may require that the vehicle pass the OBD II system tests and the I/M emission inspection in order to renew license plates.

Using a scan tool, the technician can observe the System Status (Complete or Not Complete) in order to verify that the vehicle meets the criteria which complies with the local area requirements. Using the System Status display, monitor any of the following systems or a combination of the systems (depending on vehicle make and model) for I/M Readiness:
- Catalyst
- Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S)
- Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Heater
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
- Evaporative Emission (EVAP)
- Secondary Air Injection System (AIR)

IMPORTANT: The System Status display indicates only if the VCM has completed the required tests (DTCs). The System Status display does not necessarily mean that the test has passed. If a failure indication is present for a DTC associated with one of the above systems, that test has failed. Diagnosis and repair are necessary in order to meet the I/M requirement. Verify that the vehicle passes all of the diagnostic tests associated with the displayed System Status prior to returning the vehicle to the customer.

Following a DTC Info Clear, battery disconnect, or a control module replacement, all of the System Status information will be set to Not Complete.

Refer to the diagnostic support information associated with each DTC in order to obtain the Conditions for Running the DTC. The vehicle operating conditions that the system must meet in order for a DTC to run are the Conditions for Running the DTC.

The System Status table shows the DTCs that must run in order for the system Status to indicate a system test has been Completed.

System Status:

System Status

System Status and Drive Cycle For Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
Some areas require that certain vehicles run and pass on-board Diagnostic Test of particular emissions Systems.

Using a scan tool, the technician has the ability to monitor the System Status of the following systems:
- The Catalyst Monitoring system
- The Evaporative (EVAP) system
- The Oxygen Sensor (HO2S)
- The Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) heater
- The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system
- The Air Injection Reaction (AIR) system (if so equipped).

IMPORTANT: The System Status display indicates whether or not a diagnostic testis completed. Diagnose and repair the system if any of the on-board diagnostic tests has failed the last test. Verify that all of the required diagnostic tests pass prior to returning the vehicle to the customer. Use the Typical Drive Cycle table as a guide to complete the System Status test associated with I/M.

Typical OBD II Drive Cycle:

Typical OBD II Drive Cycle