Can my car pass state inspection? engine light is on (Concord: DMV, inspector)

[cabygreen]

Hello, does anyone know whether a car can pass the NH state inspection if the engine light is on? The engine light on my car is on, but it runs normally, and I don't want to spend money on fixing this minor problem. Thanks for your answer.

[yinduffy]

It probably will. Check your owners manual booklet. "Service Engine Soon" light may only be a reminder to change the engine oil. Some cars the light goes on after every 3,000 miles whether you have changed the oil or not. To reset the light it may be as simple as putting the key in, holding down the trip set button and turning the key. Check the manual.
Some cars light goes on if the gas cap is loose and not making a good seal. If you don't have the owners manual you can try online.

[GregW]

The New Hampshire inspection is a safety not an emissions check. I think the mechanic doing the work would tell you to get the light checked but not fail your car because of the "check engine" light.

[seamusnh]

Cars built after 1995 have an OBD (on board diagnostic) connector under the dash. Part of the inspection is to hook up the tester to your ODB. This is how they test for emissions as opposed to a tail pipe sensor. The OBD will give the tester a code which will determine if you fail or not. The check engine light can go on for a loose gas cap. It can also go off for a misfiring spark plug, a bad catalytic convertor, a failed O2 sensor. All of those will fail your car.
Go to a PepBoys or other automotive place and they can test the OBD for you and tell you what the code is and what it means. Pepboys does it for free.
BTW, make sure it is the "check engine light" and not the "maintenance required light" some cars have which is the one that goes off based on pre-set mileage intervals. That light means nothing and can be reset. Check your owners manual...

[jthibodeau]

If your car is 1996 or newer, Your inspection station is required to connect your vehicle's OBD system to their computer. "OBD" is the acronym that indicates "on-board diagnostics". The OBD is a computer system in a vehicle that monitors the engine and the other systems of the vehicle. All light-duty vehicles that were manufactured since 1996 have included the OBD system. The OBD system diagnoses the vehicle and then warns the driver or the automotive technician about a possible problem by illuminating the MIL (malfunction indicator light) or "Check Engine" light. Some of the problems the OBD system detects can increase the exhaust emissions to levels that are higher than the levels allowed by Federal standards.

The program went into effect in May 2005. In the beginning, it was in Advisory mode which meant that OBD testing was required and motorists were advised to correct any problems found but OBD rejection would not result in the denial of an inspection sticker. On December 1, 2006, the program went Pass/Fail for vehicles 2002 and newer. Vehicles that are Pass/Fail for OBD are required to be repaired before a full windshield sticker will be issued.

Hope this helps.....

[buck naked]

no - the car will not fail inspection for an engine light staying on

[cabygreen]

thanks for the answers, that really helps.

[KarynO]

Yes it will fail...just went through it.

[rscalzo]

When I get my cars inspected (2003 & 2008), one of the first steps in the process is to answer that the Check Engine Light is off. If that is a mandatory failure or not, I don't know. As the tests are downloaded to the Concord DMV, I don't see a way around it. The system would detect a recent reset from what I was told.

I would get the light on my Escape and it was nothing more than a gas cap with a slight leak and not tightened properly. It might just be a minor problem.

[buck naked]

Originally Posted by KarynO

Yes it will fail...just went through it.

then it must depend on the inspector - I have a 95 Buick with the light on continuously for a couple years now, but all checks of the engine are fine and it passes emissions

and it passes inspection every time


IMO you had something else wrong with the car

There are over 80 items linked to the check engine light. If you disconnect the battery and let the car sit for a few minutes, the memory in the computer will be reset and the check engine light will go out, however if there IS a sensor failing, the light WILL come back on.