I took the car in for a new inspection sticker, and when I returned to pick the car up, I was told the car had failed because the check engine light was on. I asked him if he could have predicted failure with the light on, and why he didn’t tell me the car would fail before I committed to the test. …

If you live in an area that test “emissions” then a CEL that is on will automatically “fail” the car. You didn’t notice the CEL was on prior to the inspection; does that mean the light wasn’t on or that you just didn’t pay attention to it?

This is the same as California. If the CEL is on, the car automatically fails. One thing you should be aware. When the dealership turns the CEL off, the car’s computer knows about it. And it will tattle on you when you go back for the next test. So it might fail again, due to a CEL reset having…

You can also reset the CEL yourself by simply removing the negative battery cable for a minute or two, saving an expensive trip to the dealer…Most autoparts stores will “read the codes” for you free so you know why the light is on…

It wouldn’t surprise me if this were an accurate statement. I believe that, at least in some states, once the inspection process begins (which it technically did when they looked at the light), then you fail, with your current sticker removed. Whatever process is needed to resolve a failed inspect…

The process may be ridiculous but don’t blame the inspector. It could well be that the inspector thinks certain policies are ridiculous also but if the inspector violates those policies they could be subject to fine or jail time. Some years back there was a new story about a fleet mechanic in KS wh…

Same here in NH. If the CEL light is on…FAIL. You do NOT have to take it to the dealer to reset the CEL. Any competent mechanic can do it. Or as Caddyman said…just remove the battery cable for a while. In NH just clearing the code won’t work. You have to drive a certain amount of miles with the co…

NY Inspections- You automatically fail if the check engine light is on. If you clear the codes you have to drive the ar for a day or to for the various systems to have run a self check to be in a ready to read state. You can however pass inspection with one system not ready to be read. Many peopl…

Also consider that if a CEL is on no one knows why until it is investigated. So find out why the light is on and fix it.

As Mike said, in NH the CEL is an automatic failure. And checking for the CEL is part of the inspection. Once you submit the vehicle, once you turn the key over to the shop, if the tech sees the CEL lilght on he cannot ignore it. He must at that point fail the vehicle. You have only yourself to bl…

NYS Inspection w check engine light on

Maintenance/Repairs

bing January 15, 2013, 9:27am 6

Sorry but the whole thing is ridiculous. We had this in Minnesota for a few years and the only one benefiting by testing was the private testing vendors. We finally got rid of testing while the vendors howled about it. They’re more concerned about collecting their test fee than cleaning the air.

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NYS Inspection w check engine light on

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