AIRCARE SUCKS!!! Help me!!!!!
 

So here's the deal...

I bought this 1998 Integra type R a few weeks ago and have been getting it ready for aircare since then. Although the aircare does not expire until June, I expected to have problems and wanted to get it out of the way before I start modding.

To get it ready for aircare I have to do a new engine harness, dizzy, evap sensor, clean up some ugly wiring by the ecu etc.

Right now I cant see anything that would prevent it from failing aircare.. it was throwing 5 codes when I got the car and now it throws none, drives great and has the oemcat/ oem P73 ecu and everything physically in place to pass aircare.

So I bring it in today and what do I get? "unable to communicate" %#&$ @&$^$!!!!

So right now I have two problems...

1. Can I not just get it put on the rollers and hooked up to the sniffer to pass aricare based on the actual emissions?

2. If I have to get the OBD2 port communicating with their computer, how the fuck do you fix that... I've checked out the dlc and wires going to it and everything seems fine.

Also, when I looked at the history of my car attempting to pass aircare I found about 20 attempts to pass within 2 months :( When you look at the aircare chart showing the results under the column with (OBD) it says "N/A" for every time it was tested. The only things that were checked were visual, and idel HC/CO...

I am so frustrated.. and why the fuck does ICBC hire such morons... I wont even get into that one....

Are you running an NA or J-Spec ECU?

Well, there you have it folks... never assume that you have the proper ecu...

Just before I came back in and read this I figured I better double check and make sure I have USDM ecu... well surprise surprise P73-003 MAD JDM VTAK

So I now have to find a stinking OBD-2A b series ecu. preferably a P73 one...

I... hate ... my life.

Buddy, I feel your pain. I'm in the same boat... sorta lol

When I did my motor swap, I bought a JDM motor, got all the proper harnesses so everything would still work, including the OBD port. Well, turns out, the OBD port DIDN'T work. AirCare couldn't interface with my car so it got rejected. :( I'm fairly sure it's because of the JDM ECU, I mean what else would it be? At least I got my $$ back. I even begged them to do the tailpipe test. The motor is running clean, no codes, no reason I shouldn't be getting a pass.

Now I've got a USDM ECU in there, and I hope to christ that it works this time. I'm gonna try to go through AirCare again is week. Fingers crossed! I just don't know what will happen if the USDM ECU doesn't work :(

At least you found the problem right under your nose.

It could be a lot worse.

This is a pretty shitty problem though, because even though your car might be running great, no codes, a proper cat, not burning any oil, you cannot get a pass until the AirCare computer interfaces with your car ecu. Talk about lame. I just wish they would let you run it on the rollers as a last resort.

update
 

Ok, so I went through today and failed! :mad:

The good news, at least the USDM ecu worked. AirCare was able to interface with my car, etc, and do there scan.

Bad news, my car failed the "MIL Command Status". Apparently I have a code. The code is P0171, which I found out means the system is too lean. WTF?! (here's the link: http://www.troublecodes.net/honda/hondaobd2.shtml ) Never heard of this one before...

Now my check engine light is on. It was NOT on before I went to be tested. After the test was done, I got into my car and noticed the light was on. I asked the tech, and he said it came on as soon as he plugged into my car. Does that sound right? I don't know enough about this shit to argue with him, except for the fact that I KNOW my CEL was not on before the test. :(

^ i check cel codes daily

i've never seen that happen, but then again i only check stock cars with OE motors etc.

try erasing the code and trying again.

that or bring it to a shop to ensure that code doesn't get thrown again

Will disconnecting the battery erase & reset the codes/ecu??

After doing more research on this P0171 codes, it could any number of things :( something as simple as a fuel filter or fuel regulator, or an O2 sensor or fuel pump. It might even be a valve adjustment issue for god's sake! Last hing I want to do is start throwing all this money at something that might not solve the problem :(

A P0171 code is typically a MAF issue. The easiest way to check is to take the MAF sensor out, spray it with brake cleaner or electronics cleaner, let it air dry, then reinstall it. Also, if you're running a CAI with an oiled filter, the MAF may be sucking in some of the oil from the filter and getting clogged. Be sure to reset the codes before turning the car back on. You do this by disconnecting the negative for 30 seconds or so.

Sorry, no maf on his or most hondas as they typically use a speed/density method to calculate amount of air by engine rpm/map sensor/air intake temp sensor.

If there is a problem with the o2 sensor, you'd have a code for an o2 sensor (they have their own code). P0171 is most likely a vacuum leak. I'd start there.

Thanks for all the tips guys, I'm gonna reset everything and wait a couple days. If the check engine light stays off, I might try going through AirCare again.

This code seems to be very vague at best. With so many different things it might be, I'm just going to start at the most simple and go from there :(

I feel for u man, I know how it is to buy a car and it not pass aircare, u feel like y did i even buy this POS. In my case the aircare was expired and it was failing the roller test. At first i tried using online to figure it out, but after spending around 400 dollars on parts, multiple aircare fees, multiple day permits i just got frustrated. So I left it with the mechanic and let him deal with it. He figured it out, went through aircare with it and when i came back the next day my car was aircared. I know sum1 that couldnt get his car to pass and ended up using a buddies address in squamish because they don't need aircare up there. DEFINITLY NOT buying a car with aircare problems again, wat a fucking hassle.

are they ever going to get rid of aircare? fuck the environment LOL
whats the worst that could happen with a USDM ecu?

Air care driving ppl crazy eh

Aircare is not about the environment it's about collecting revenue. If they help the environment a little bit well collecting there user fee it's a bonus. They said they'll get rid of it but I highly doubt it, in these economic times you don't want to kill a source of revenue.

After my first visit to an aircare facility and being charged 45$ or whatever it was to get certified... I find it hard to believe aircare would be put in place for revenue... I'm going to assume they do not turn a profit at the end of the year and are more than likely a burden on tax payers. Between the cost of the facility, training the employees and paying them more than they should get lol I'm guessing it's really not that profitable.

I might be way off the mark though.

You might be right but they test over 500,000 vehicles a year.

That's only $20m a year. Peanuts when you look at the # of staff and the size of buildings/land.. I wouldn't think it's much of a moneymaker either.

imho Aircare is a joke because there are many things that pollute a helluva lot more (ever look at locomotives in a rail yard!? :eek:), planes that are allowed to run leaded avgas, 2-stroke mopeds..

hey gais wait for 2013 so you can buy 1998 JDM imports. Almost nothing can trigger a CEL on those babies so you won't have to worry about them.

yeah aircare is taking away from our taxes and fun :(
Aircare FTL

Too bad the JDM ecu in my car does not interface with aircare's computer... my guess is JDM car's for the most part will all be "unable to communicate" so really... I think JDM cars that are 98+ will be quite the opposite of what you think. They might not throw cel's but they also wont be able to communicate and will be rejected as such by aircare.

Yup, they'll just be a huge pain in the ass to get AirCared

I wish they expanded aircare into a full on vehicle inspection like Europe or HK, so all you morons running illegal tail lights, headlights, bald tires etc, etc, get thrown off the roads.