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Old 01-28-2005, 02:37 PM   #1
04.SPT.WRX
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Default AccessPORT stage 1 failed OBD II emissions test!

My lightly modified WRX (Cobb catback, K & N air filter) flunked PA state emissions testing today. I last flashed the ECU with the stage 1 93 octane v1.18 map on 11/15/04. 1634 miles later, the test flunked “OBD readiness” and “OBD I/M check”. This is all the data I have from the failed test.

I unmarried the AP from the ECU, drove about 30 miles and then successfully retested.

I was planning on going to stage 2 with a downpipe and uppipe … now I’m not so sure. I plan on calling Cobb later today.

What could have happened? Anyone else from PA have problems?
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Old 01-28-2005, 02:44 PM   #2
jim1969
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Interesting read. Keep us posted on what Cobb says. I have a EcuTeK reflash only and NY will be going to OBDII this year also.
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Old 01-28-2005, 02:59 PM   #3
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did you go to cobb's website and post this on their accessport forums? from what i read about my sti accessport. i'm supposed to put the ecu back in stock mode then reload my base and realtime stage maps when i'm finished. that way when they scan the obdII port, it reads the ecu in stock form.
definitely post your response from cobb since i'll be interested, especially being in california where emissions control is our state motto.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:11 PM   #4
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Some good information about OBD II testing and various issue on this site.

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us50326.htm

Not sure that the AP had anything to do with you failing either.
I'm just glad I don't have to worry about emissions testing.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:12 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powerleak
did you go to cobb's website and post this on their accessport forums? from what i read about my sti accessport. i'm supposed to put the ecu back in stock mode then reload my base and realtime stage maps when i'm finished. that way when they scan the obdII port, it reads the ecu in stock form.
definitely post your response from cobb since i'll be interested, especially being in california where emissions control is our state motto.
Yep, sure did.

The errors were; OBD readiness: failed, OBD I/M check: failed. I have no other data to go on. I had over 2 months and 1600 miles since the last AP reflash.

This seems like a no brainer ... it should have passed. It's only a lightly modded stage 1.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:26 PM   #6
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Note this in reference to the WRX AP not necessarily the STi:


Anytime you reflash your ECU (or disconnect your battery for that matter), the car has to go through 50 or 60 cycles of turning off and on before the ODBII sensors are in a ready state.

The newest versions of the AccessPort BASE maps have a modification to the stock ECU code that will immediately put the sensors in the a ready state.

Most likely you're running an old base map with your accessport, or using a stock base map; neither of which have the new code in them.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:31 PM   #7
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hmm...i would work out the details with cobb and post your findings. does sound like a no brainer to me too.


edit: they make you do a smog check the first year after your purchase? yikes, glad i didn't have to do that here. putting the stock turbo and exhaust back on is pain, but if i wanna go play, i hafta pay!
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:31 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackwrecks
Note this in reference to the WRX AP not necessarily the STi:


Anytime you reflash your ECU (or disconnect your battery for that matter), the car has to go through 50 or 60 cycles of turning off and on before the ODBII sensors are in a ready state.

The newest versions of the AccessPort BASE maps have a modification to the stock ECU code that will immediately put the sensors in the a ready state.

Most likely you're running and old base map with your accessport, or using a stock base map.
The base map I had been using since 11/15/04 was stage 1, 93 octane v1.18. This is their latest revision. I did not have a real time map loaded.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:33 PM   #9
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not sure if they'll let you come back for free but you could try loading the stock ecu base map and see the outcome
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:35 PM   #10
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I have the Stage 2 93 octane map running (COBB ECU flash no AP) with a TXS turboback with high flow #2 and no more #3 cat. I have passed PA emissions at the Subaru dealership both years since I got it done.

....and you cannot retest for free. Pass or fail it's like $75 PA racket. Atlanta was nothing like this robbery we have here.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:39 PM   #11
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sounds like he definitely needs to wait to discuss with cobb then escpecially if you're passing

btw, they let you pass with the TBE?
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:40 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powerleak
not sure if they'll let you come back for free but you could try loading the stock ecu base map and see the outcome
Actually I did retest for free and successfully did so after reverting to stock. It's posted in the shop I took it to you are entitled to ONE free retest (state law).

I'm now good to go for another year.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:41 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by powerleak
sounds like he definitely needs to wait to discuss with cobb then escpecially if you're passing

btw, they let you pass with the TBE?
I have a catback only. I was going to install an uppipe next week. Now I'm not so sure. Need to contact Cobb first.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Professor
I have the Stage 2 93 octane map running (COBB ECU flash no AP) with a TXS turboback with high flow #2 and no more #3 cat. I have passed PA emissions at the Subaru dealership both years since I got it done.

....and you cannot retest for free. Pass or fail it's like $75 PA racket. Atlanta was nothing like this robbery we have here.
The test was $42.50. $42.50 for two computers to talk to one another ...
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:46 PM   #15
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Well maybe I just heard some propaganda about Cobb removing the need for going through the required amount of "drive cycles" before marking the sensors ready.

A drive cycle is turn key on, drive @7-8 miles. turn key off.

I don't remember what the number needed to get the sensors in a ready state is.

Also this is not a Cobb specific thing, its in the stock ECU as well.

Take a look here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...cles+emissions

Though if what happened occurred in the order that you said it happened, thats just odd. . .

Last edited by blackwrecks; 01-28-2005 at 03:54 PM.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:50 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackwrecks
Well maybe I just heard some propaganda about Cobb removing the need for going through the required amount of "drive cycles" before marking the sensors ready.

A drive cycle is turn key on, drive @7-8 miles. turn key off.

I don't remember what the number needed to get the sensors in a ready state is.

Also this is not a Cobb specific thing, its in the stock ECU as well.

Take a look here:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...cles+emissions
Yes, I have read this info before (I'm reading the post you hyperlinked now ...). I had thought since the last reflash was on 11/15/04 (over 1600 miles ago), I would have had no problems.

BTW, after the AP "divorce" today I only drove around 30 miles (for the ECU to learn 1 key on, 1 key off) and passed the retest.
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Old 01-28-2005, 03:59 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 04.SPT.WRX
BTW, after the AP "divorce" today I only drove around 30 miles (for the ECU to learn 1 key on, 1 key off) and passed the retest.

Yeah thats weird, from most posts from people who have had to get their car's sensors into a ready state (and from my own experience), it usually takes longer than 30 miles. . .
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Old 01-28-2005, 04:10 PM   #18
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Interesting read.....
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Old 01-28-2005, 06:00 PM   #19
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I just got off of the phone with Josh at Cobb. He is as puzzled as I am as to the cause of this issue. I have I e-mailed him the map file I am currently using at his request.

Stay tuned.
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Old 01-28-2005, 07:50 PM   #20
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very interesting. . . I wonder how long before all counties in PA have to do emissions. Right now my rinky dink pike co doesn't have OBDII testing.

I wonder if it has something to do with the way Cobb programs out the CEL's. Good thing you were still stock and could revent back to stock without getting any CEL's because of uppipe and downpipe crap. You woulda had a helluva time then. . .
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Old 01-28-2005, 08:04 PM   #21
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The response from Josh at Cobb:

“We have had very informed and observant customers that have passed the same tests with no problems with the same mapping. You are the only one that has had the issue, and it has not been replicated otherwise. If we have never seen the issue before, no one else has experienced it, and we cannot replicate it, we have no way to make any proper suggestions on your next course of action. My advice is to re-download and install a new map.”

I’m inclined to agree here. Cobb was prompt and as thorough as they could have been investigating this issue. Hopefully this was a one time occurrence. I’ll find out next year at emissions testing time.

On the WRX Forum post, Josh has added more info.

I previously did not mention here that I had added three characters in the description line of the map file so it could be read on the AP display. I omitted this so others would not do try the same thing. This is what line looks like – I added the “118”.

À» stage1 93 oct 118 COBBStage 1 for Stock Vehicles. 93 octane fuel. 260HP / 260 ft-lbs. v1.18 9/2/04

Josh thought it was OK to mention the Notepad editing in the WRX Forum post, so I now mention it.

Last edited by 04.SPT.WRX; 01-28-2005 at 08:23 PM.
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Old 01-29-2005, 12:18 AM   #22
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Obd2 doesn't take more thank 1 driving session to set the readyness indicators. Roughly 30 miles at speeds > than 50mph will do it. They say roughly 50 minutes of continuous driving in the shop manual.
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Old 01-29-2005, 01:01 AM   #23
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does that map have any sensors turned off like o2 or egt to prevent CEL's?
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Old 01-29-2005, 09:59 AM   #24
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You opened the map file in Notepad, edited it, and resaved it? If so, I'd definitely try reflashing with a non-edited map file. Notepad isn't intended for editing or saving binary data... it's only meant to edit or save ASCII text data. If you really want to edit the map file, at least use a hex editor to properly edit the binary file... a "programmer's editor" such as UltraEdit might work.


Quote:
Originally Posted by 04.SPT.WRX
The response from Josh at Cobb:

“We have had very informed and observant customers that have passed the same tests with no problems with the same mapping. You are the only one that has had the issue, and it has not been replicated otherwise. If we have never seen the issue before, no one else has experienced it, and we cannot replicate it, we have no way to make any proper suggestions on your next course of action. My advice is to re-download and install a new map.”

I’m inclined to agree here. Cobb was prompt and as thorough as they could have been investigating this issue. Hopefully this was a one time occurrence. I’ll find out next year at emissions testing time.

On the WRX Forum post, Josh has added more info.

I previously did not mention here that I had added three characters in the description line of the map file so it could be read on the AP display. I omitted this so others would not do try the same thing. This is what line looks like – I added the “118”.

À» stage1 93 oct 118 COBBStage 1 for Stock Vehicles. 93 octane fuel. 260HP / 260 ft-lbs. v1.18 9/2/04

Josh thought it was OK to mention the Notepad editing in the WRX Forum post, so I now mention it.
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Old 01-29-2005, 07:48 PM   #25
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Yes, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do. I only modified three characters in the description line - I saw no harm in it. The byte size of the file remained the same. I really do not know whether this was the cause of the test failure - neither did Cobb by the e-mail I got from Josh. Either way, I feel kind of stupid for trying ... I'm no programmer.

Quote:
Originally Posted by yobtah
You opened the map file in Notepad, edited it, and resaved it? If so, I'd definitely try reflashing with a non-edited map file. Notepad isn't intended for editing or saving binary data... it's only meant to edit or save ASCII text data. If you really want to edit the map file, at least use a hex editor to properly edit the binary file... a "programmer's editor" such as UltraEdit might work.
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