My car can't test for smog, why????

[NorCal1.8T]

My registration expires nov.16th, so i thought i could take the car to get a smog certificate today. I have had a CEL for some time now. The guy at the smog place told me he was 100% sure i would fail smog cuz of CEL. Is this true? Anyways, i told him to proceed cuz i get a free restest anyway, and when he tired to test it, he couldnt. He plugged the OBD cable, plugged the thing into the exhaust, and then he was trying to hold 2.5K RPM for 30 seconds, but everytime he tried, the car would rev past that and then drop down. Im confused, should i fix the CEL in order to pass smog? Im sure the problem has nothing to do with emissions....

[quattro16]

A Yeah first you need to know what the fault is. And most likely it is something emissions. Also with a mil on your readiness code is not set and should not pass obd test.

[NorCal1.8T]

Also with a mil on your readiness code is not set and should not pass obd test.

Whaaa? i didnt get that...

[quattro16]

Here in NY the inspection test is to plug in the obd and start the car and the dmv computer checks the readiness code. If mil is on then the rediness is not set and fails. So I'm not sure how it goes where you are. Whats the fault for?

[NorCal1.8T]

Im sorry man i may sound stupid,lol..but what is a mil? I believe the guy did the same thing over here and it didnt work. he didnt give me a fault code, all he said was go fix the CEL and then come back

[mike-2ptzero]

You need to use a vagcom to pull the codes out of the ecu or go to the parts store and see if they can do it for you.

[NorCal1.8T]

Yeah im going to pull the codes tommorow

[djwimbo]

MIL = Malfunction Indicator light, also known as a CEL or check engine light.

You will not pass E-Checks if your CEL/MIL is on. The reason it is there is to let you know your emissions systems are functioning properly.

[NorCal1.8T]

hmm could it be my catalyctic is done?

[djwimbo]

hmm could it be my catalyctic is done?

No joke, it could be 1 or more of 2000+ issues.

Ross-Tech has a list of all the DTC's VAG-Com can read, modify, monitor, etc.
IIRC the engine DTC's start at #16000 or so, and go past 18000.

[NorCal1.8T]

lol, shit well i guess will know tommorow for sure, i will post the trouble codes for you guys to help out with

[LaserRedKid]

Here in Cal, Autozone or other parts store can no longer scan and give you the codes, it is against the law. For you to get the code, you have to either buy or borrow a scanner from a friend, get the code, clear it, drive it for a few days, if the CEL doesn't come back then take it to smog again. With the CEL on, you are 100% not gonna to pass.

[NorCal1.8T]

Got the car scanned here are the codes, lots of them unfortunately, i wonder if one thing is sparking all of them?

-17536
-18062
-01206
-01039
-01371
-01372
-01374
-01370
-01368
-00991
-00955
-00956