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I have a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country and I live near Raleigh, NC. I am due for emmissions test and my "check engine light" is on. If I get the light reset at Autozone, will I pass the emmission test? I can't afford a trip to the dealer, but maybe I can fix the problem myself knowing the fault code. Any suggestions or answers?
you can pass a test if you unhook the battery and then put approx. 50 miles on it (this resets the computer).
if the light isnt on you can pass the emissions. Most times this will work for the test, but it DOES NOT fix the problem of why your light came on, and chances are it WILL come back on.
You can take it to autozone and get free diagonstics, it may be something simple to fix, or not. You dont have to take it to a dealer, unless it is still under warranty.
I had a ford probe that had a hesitation problem, took it to the dealer, $157.00 later, they tell me they dont know why, but they found this part that wasnt factory installed, so the removed it, "maybe that will help".
come to find out weeks later they removed my cruise control. (which was added after factory)
So, be careful with dealers, and mechanics in general. Its easy to get ripped off, know who your dealing with, and that they are compatent.
I have a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country and I live near Raleigh, NC. I am due for emmissions test and my "check engine light" is on. If I get the light reset at Autozone, will I pass the emmission test? I can't afford a trip to the dealer, but maybe I can fix the problem myself knowing the fault code. Any suggestions or answers?
I believe resetting the trouble light dosen't necessarily clear the trouble code. You may have an issue with the dreaded non sealing gas cap. Like the other poster said take it to a parts dealer that will plug in a scanner. See what the code gives you. I bought an OBDII scanner a couple of years back and has been a great tool. You can get a decent one for about $100. Good luck to you
If you clear the code w/o fixing anything, it will come on again. Clearing the code will get you a "pass" at the emissions test center, but the problem wont go away. You need to find out whats causing the light to come on and fix it, thats the only permanent solution.
Resetting the trouble light will not put the vehicle in a state to be able to pass emissions test. The check engine light is really a "emissions fault light". When that light is on it means your vehicle is polluting. State emissions testers have scanners capable of looking at data and stored (pending) dtc's without you ever knowing there is a problem. This will result in a failure of the emissions test.
From our classroom training here at the factory, we are learning more and more about the upcoming changed to OBD3 emissions control. Once this is mandated on factory vehicles, technicians will no longer be able to completely clear codes. We will be able to turn off the light. But a new style of test drive will be required to have the pending codes clear out of the PCM. This will trigger the system check to run such as evap, catalyst, misfire test etc... then the code will truly clear.
Source: Myself, ASE Master Technician with Diesel, and L1/L2.
Resetting the trouble light will not put the vehicle in a state to be able to pass emissions test. The check engine light is really a "emissions fault light". When that light is on it means your vehicle is polluting. State emissions testers have scanners capable of looking at data and stored (pending) dtc's without you ever knowing there is a problem. This will result in a failure of the emissions test.
From our classroom training here at the factory, we are learning more and more about the upcoming changed to OBD3 emissions control. Once this is mandated on factory vehicles, technicians will no longer be able to completely clear codes. We will be able to turn off the light. But a new style of test drive will be required to have the pending codes clear out of the PCM. This will trigger the system check to run such as evap, catalyst, misfire test etc... then the code will truly clear.
Source: Myself, ASE Master Technician with Diesel, and L1/L2.
Aren't there cruise control maflunction codes, A/C refrigerant charge codes any many others that have nothing to do with emissions but will still throw a code?
I have a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country and I live near Raleigh, NC. I am due for emmissions test and my "check engine light" is on. If I get the light reset at Autozone, will I pass the emmission test? I can't afford a trip to the dealer, but maybe I can fix the problem myself knowing the fault code. Any suggestions or answers?
Your best bet is to check the code, see what it entails, and possibly fix the problem. That's where you need to start.
Without engaging the starter, turn your key on and off 3 times. On the third time "on" leave it on. The odometer will flash codes at you.
Most likely its an o2 sensor or something along those lines.
resetting your ECU is a bad idea, When somethings goes wrong with your car, The ECU compensates the malfunction and goes into "last known good configuration" so to speak and basically goes into stone age mode. This gives you crappy efficiency.
When you reset, the ECU doesnt know about the problem and could run even worse until the trouble is picked up by the ECU.
Also sometimes the codes wont come up right away and something could be overlooked, Its just no good. O2 sensors could be expensive and dont replace just one....do ALL of them at the same time. if thats what it is im just guessing.
Aren't there cruise control maflunction codes, A/C refrigerant charge codes any many others that have nothing to do with emissions but will still throw a code?
Yes, in some cars these will store a DTC, but the code itself should not request the MIL to be turned on.
Your best bet is to check the code, see what it entails, and possibly fix the problem. That's where you need to start.
Without engaging the starter, turn your key on and off 3 times. On the third time "on" leave it on. The odometer will flash codes at you.
Let us know what those codes are.
I'm hoping the OP had the problem fixed. The post is 5 years old!
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