Why might the catalytic converter monitor be not ready for CA mog test?

[jh818]

I have a spare throttle body from a donor vehicle. I will try replacing it this weekend. At this point I am desperate. lol

Here's the thing, though. Even if you do replace the TPS, you'll have to drive it around a bit and get it in the right conditions so the computer starts the testing. You have no idea when the computer decides to start testing.

I have a Scangauge2 that would tell me if all the monitors are ready or not. If not, it will show which one(s) are not ready. This way, I don't wsste time going to the smog check station and fail again. Once it says ready, I just go and it passes.

Good luck.

 

[Paka Ono]

I just created an account to say thank you for the tip about replacing the TPS!

My 2001 Tacoma 5VZ would not trigger the Catalyst IM readiness after getting serviced. I had the drive patterns, and must have drove it 20+ times.

No CEL or any other alerts. I scoured the internet and found this thread.

I ordered the TPS off Amazon for $35. Took me 5 mins to install and the first time driving the pattern, it passed!

This has saved me a lot of headaches and money! I can't say thank you enough!

 

[jh818]

I just created an account to say thank you for the tip about replacing the TPS!

My 2001 Tacoma 5VZ would not trigger the Catalyst IM readiness after getting serviced. I had the drive patterns, and must have drove it 20+ times.

No CEL or any other alerts. I scoured the internet and found this thread.

I ordered the TPS off Amazon for $35. Took me 5 mins to install and the first time driving the pattern, it passed!

This has saved me a lot of headaches and money! I can't say thank you enough!

You're welcome! And thank you for posting.
Did you have to buy the whole throttle body with the TPS? If so, I may just get one myself for $35 and save any future headaches.

 

[Paka Ono]

You're welcome! And thank you for posting.
Did you have to buy the whole throttle body with the TPS? If so, I may just get one myself for $35 and save any future headaches.

Nope, I just bought the sensor.

Not sure what the forum's policies on links are, but it's the OEM 9950 Sensor on amazon. And I have the V6.

Thanks again!

 

[mom]

I haven't logged in for a couple of years, but I just came back here to figure out the part numbers, because, years later, with the OEM oxygen sensors still in the car, the same problem is happening.

I don't usually check the readiness monitors, except when I have to get smog tested, so, I'm unsure if it was happening all along.

 

[drei4runner29]

Thanks for all your help and advice!

By way of update, I took my 4Runner to the special state-run Consumer Assistance and Referee Center (aka, "smog test referee") today:
Two "referees" spent at least 45 minutes going over the car, inch by inch.

• They first marked all the scratches and made me sign the waiver.
• Then they put the OBD scanner on it, and agreed with me that the catalytic converter monitors were still not ready.
• Then they started the engine, with the hood open, and, with a flashlight, the two of them went through a checklist for at least 20 minutes, visually checking the EGR, oxygen sensors, hoses, oil leaks, and even wisps of smoke were noted, all with the engine running.
  • (They told me the smoke test here doesn't fail the car, but the ending smoke test will fail it.)
• Then they "kicked" the gas pedal, and wrote down how much smoke was emitted from the tailpipe the SECOND time they did that.
  • (It can fail if it is more than 8 feet of smoke!)
• Then they drove it onto the dynamometer, and revved the engine up for the low speed and high speed tests.
• Then, they opened the hood AGAIN, and looked for smoke
  • (This final visual smoke test, they said, could fail the vehicle.)
• They pressure-tested the gas cap off the car, and they crawled down below and looked underneath for something, I don't know what.
• At one point, they pulled out a fat brown Mitchell book off the shelf, and earnestly discussed something, I don't know what.
• Finally, after almost an hour of testing the vehicle, they sat down at their desk, and asked me to pay only for the $8.25 smog test certificate!
  • (The actual test was free.)

It passed smog (without the catalytic converter readiness monitors ever having been set)!

I'll most likely will be going this route since my '02 is still reading not ready even after I changed both front and rear cats and both air/fuel ratio and O2 sensors. Will give it one last try and use a fuel ignition cleaner and have them check again. If it's still a no go, then smog referee here I come

 

[palswim]

By way of update, I took my 4Runner to the special state-run Consumer Assistance and Referee Center (aka, "smog test referee") today:
Two "referees" spent at least 45 minutes going over the car, inch by inch.

For all of you who have gone to a BAR Smog Check Referee, did you also have to obtain paperwork from a Toyota dealership? I keep calling to schedule an appointment with the Referee, but the phone representatives keep trying to send me a form I have to take to the dealer, where the dealer has to verify that they've tried every other option. I've attached the form to this post.

Did any of you call and schedule an appointment without this merry-go-round? If so, how?

Perhaps the rules have changed since two years ago.

 

[drei4runner29]

For all of you who have gone to a BAR Smog Check Referee, did you also have to obtain paperwork from a Toyota dealership? I keep calling to schedule an appointment with the Referee, but the phone representatives keep trying to send me a form I have to take to the dealer, where the dealer has to verify that they've tried every other option. I've attached the form to this post.

Did any of you call and schedule an appointment without this merry-go-round? If so, how?

Perhaps the rules have changed since two years ago.

Dang, didn't know that I had to call a Toyota dealership to get verification that they checked and made sure everything is working. I was about to call them today at 8 AM when they open. I don't remember seeing on their site that I needed to have the manufacturer or dealer check. I do know that I have to have the receipts of the work that was done to my vehicle like the cats being replaced.

Thanks for this new info. Will call them and see what happens.

Update: So I called this morning and they also advised for me to call my local Toyota dealership and to have them run the tests and show proof that they've exhausted all means in trying to fix the problem.

Update 2: I dropped off my 4runner at the dealership this afternoon for them to do a diagnostic. The service rep was advising me that it could cost up to $350 for the diagnostic to see what is wrong w/ it and to fix it. FML

 

[palswim]

Update 2: I dropped off my 4runner at the dealership this afternoon for them to do a diagnostic. The service rep was advising me that it could cost up to $350 for the diagnostic to see what is wrong w/ it and to fix it. FML

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. From the responses in this thread, it seemed that people formerly could schedule the BAR checks without dealer response. I am wondering how they managed that, or if they system has changed since then.

Any good news from the dealer?

 

[drei4runner29]

Exactly what I'm trying to avoid. From the responses in this thread, it seemed that people formerly could schedule the BAR checks without dealer response. I am wondering how they managed that, or if they system has changed since then.

Any good news from the dealer?

I think the system has changed. Doesn't make sense IMO. What's the point for the Smog Referee if I have to take it to the dealer first and then they'll end up fixing it and then there's no use for the smog referee. Ah California, they do like to waste taxpayer's money don't they

 

[4rnray]

hello, new to the forum, but wondering on how did it went. Did the dealer fix your cat monitor issue and passed smog or did you have to go to the referee? I am having a same issue with my rig.

 

[drei4runner29]

hello, new to the forum, but wondering on how did it went. Did the dealer fix your cat monitor issue and passed smog or did you have to go to the referee? I am having a same issue with my rig.

Just saw your question and I thought I might have replied previously as to the final outcome. Well I ended up paying the Toyota stealership a little less than $300 but they were able to get the code that was showing incomplete fixed. I then retook it to the same smog place and pay an extra $10 for them to recheck and I passed smog. I ended up not even using the smog referee. It's kinda pointless for them to be around if they want you to take it to a dealership first before you go see them.

After all that hassle, I ended up spending around $700 to replace both front and back cat converters, around $50 for the O2 sensor (bought in Amazon), around $150ish for the air/fuel ratio sensor plus the $300 at the stealership. Only saving grace is that my ride is running smoother now. Oh and the miscellaneous taxes and fees for the smog check and gas used.