Cat Converter Emissions Readiness Question

[AntleredRuin]

So probably a dumb question, but my curious mind wants to know.
I replaced my dead factory Cat with a Walker direct replacement about a week and a half ago. The truck drives a whole lot smoother and I can tell it breathes easier.

Per the Torque app, the 'Catalyst' monitor is still incomplete. I've not thrown a CEL, and there are no pending codes.
I've not tried the whole 'drive cycle test' thing (very difficult to do in Houston) yet, but I've driven a few hundred miles since then, so I'd assume that I've gotten close.

Will the readiness monitor eventually complete (once the drive cycle is completed with no CELs)? Or can the fact that it's an aftermarket Cat keep it from completing (even with no CELs)?

I'd heard that the 4Runner doesn't like Aftermarket Universal Cats, but have heard nothing but good things about name brand direct fits.


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[jgue467]

Yup it takes a while to go through that readiness pattern. "Universal" converters are no issue either.

Here's a couple sites on the details: https://www.smogtips.com/smog-question/2664/Toyota-4Runner-Drive-Cycle-to-Set-Emission-Monitors and

https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/16676/2001-toyota-4runner-ecu-drive-cycle-reset

Does your county allow 1 'unready' item in the list of smog items?

:cowboy:

 

[19963.4lsr5]

You need to drive a few miles at highway speed and some slow city driving.

I can get all my monitors set in 1 work day (62 miles) as long as traffic lets me keep it around 55-60mph on the stretches between towns.


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[Wedgy]

I forgot I had disconnected the battery to do a little MIG weld before I went to get smogged and realized it when it came up not ready. Went out driving three times, 77 miles total before it was ready. Shop owner who has a gen 3 said to cruise 45-55 mph for a while. We have the dyno type smog machine here in CA where it puts the rear wheels on a conveyer belt type thing and simulated driving it while a probe is in the tailpipe. I think pre 1999 cars must do this.

 

[AntleredRuin]

Alright, so it sounds like it's just a waiting game, more or less.

I'll try to do the drive cycle as much as possible, but with traffic here, I may need to set my alarm for 1am to do it.

I actually have no idea if I'm allowed 1 'incomplete' or not. I just don't want to waste my time going to get inspection done, only to have it fail and have to do it again later. I could call the shop, I guess. Anyone know offhand if this is the case in Houston/Harris County?

I was mostly just concerned about it 'never' completing due to being aftermarket, and Toyotas apparently being finicky.

I'm assuming the dyno-type machine is how most shops set the readiness monitors after fixing a CEL. My wife's RAV4 had a CEL a few years ago right before inspection was due. A shop cleaned out the injectors, reset the CEL, got the monitors to 'ready', and inspected it, all in a day. No way they had the time/manpower to drive all over to get the monitors to reset. It'd be really convenient to be able to just 'drive' from the comfort of your own garage.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I found this excerpt from the Texas DPS

Remember Effective October 15, 2008:
For vehicles year model 2001 and newer, we allow one (1) non-continuous monitor to be Not Ready and still pass the test, but two (2) or more Not Ready's will cause the vehicle to fail.
For vehicles year model 1996 – 2000, we allow two (2) non-continuous monitors to be Not Ready and still pass the test, but three (3) or more Not Ready's will cause the vehicle to fail.

So I just got it inspected, no hassle. Took 15 minutes, in and out. I confirmed the allowed 'Not Ready' monitors with the inspector.

2 monitors allowed 1996-2000, and 1 monitor allowed 2001-present.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I found this excerpt from the Texas DPS











So I just got it inspected, no hassle. Took 15 minutes, in and out. I confirmed the allowed 'Not Ready' monitors with the inspector.



2 monitors allowed 1996-2000, and 1 monitor allowed 2001-present.

That's the way it is in PA as well.


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