Cobb Access Port - California DMV
#16
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Perfect! This is the type of reply I was looking for. Your dialog is very valuable and you answered my question, the current DMV CARB is not sophisticated to the point where it will pick up that a tune was present but now it has been removed and re-flashed to stock. I was 90% sure this was the case but wanted to hear from someone that has gone through the process.
The sensors not in ready mode error has been around for some time and it's good to know that this can be resolved at the local smog station. The other fear was this error may have called for DMV to flag the car for a Referee Review. The fact that it did not is a major relief.
Again, thanks for the feedback!
The sensors not in ready mode error has been around for some time and it's good to know that this can be resolved at the local smog station. The other fear was this error may have called for DMV to flag the car for a Referee Review. The fact that it did not is a major relief.
Again, thanks for the feedback!
That said, there is no reason to go to the smog station unless all monitors set to "ready" or "completed". Even the cheapest OBD II readers will show you I/M (aka emissions monitor) readiness.
Last but not least, not all aftermarket software will trigger a checksum error, so as long as none of the monitors are showing "incomplete" or "not ready", one can pass even with an aftermarket tune. Passing a visual with aftermarket exhaust modifications is another story. Do keep in mind that Porsche has far more sophisticated equipment at its disposal, and should a warranty claim ever present itself, they will know whether the car was tuned, even if you flashed it back to stock before taking it to the dealer.
#17
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When I got my 991.2 GTS smoked they guys at the shop didn't know where to look to see if there were any aftermarket parts or if the cats were present. I didn't get the impression that they really cared to much abut being an enforcement arm for the DMV. They plugged it in, ran it for a few minute and I was on my way.
#18
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Ok here it goes, play by play from a new Porsche owner but not new to tuning cars.
Purchased an out of state 991.2 GTS 8/20/21. I purchased Cobb AP instantly and installed it all giddy while waiting for the paperwork from the out of state dealer. Realizing I need to do a VIN verification and smog still. I removed the Cobb tune and brought it in the next day to get smog tested. Guess what? FAILED. The sensors were not in 'ready mode.' Was told to go "drive it for 100 miles without the AC blah blah to reset it." Well I did that, took it in few days later. Had the tech test for 'readiness' and low and behold it wasn't. If you guys dont know, readiness is the state of your sensors to be smogged. Was told to "drive it around for 500 miles." Well, who has time for that.
I found online the "proper" way to get it in 'Ready Mode' which was driving at certain speeds for certain time in various ways. Took it in to the same guy who checked the first time for 'Readiness' and it was all good to be tested.
Tested and passed. $40.
After I passed I installed the entire KLINE set up and most likely will pay to have it removed and reinstalled every few years.
Side note. EPA has called this "going after low hanging fruit" to fund other areas of their agency.
Purchased an out of state 991.2 GTS 8/20/21. I purchased Cobb AP instantly and installed it all giddy while waiting for the paperwork from the out of state dealer. Realizing I need to do a VIN verification and smog still. I removed the Cobb tune and brought it in the next day to get smog tested. Guess what? FAILED. The sensors were not in 'ready mode.' Was told to go "drive it for 100 miles without the AC blah blah to reset it." Well I did that, took it in few days later. Had the tech test for 'readiness' and low and behold it wasn't. If you guys dont know, readiness is the state of your sensors to be smogged. Was told to "drive it around for 500 miles." Well, who has time for that.
I found online the "proper" way to get it in 'Ready Mode' which was driving at certain speeds for certain time in various ways. Took it in to the same guy who checked the first time for 'Readiness' and it was all good to be tested.
Tested and passed. $40.
After I passed I installed the entire KLINE set up and most likely will pay to have it removed and reinstalled every few years.
Side note. EPA has called this "going after low hanging fruit" to fund other areas of their agency.
Next question is do we know if the shop was using the new checksum protocol? I think the answer is we don't, but curious if it came up somehow.
I appreciate you sharing your experience!
#19
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Quick question here: When you say "removed the Cobb tune" do you mean you used the Cobb AP to re-install the backup that was taken when you first installed the AP, or did you do something more drastic like go to Porsche and ask to have ECU reflashed to stock? I think you did the former.
Next question is do we know if the shop was using the new checksum protocol? I think the answer is we don't, but curious if it came up somehow.
I appreciate you sharing your experience!
Next question is do we know if the shop was using the new checksum protocol? I think the answer is we don't, but curious if it came up somehow.
I appreciate you sharing your experience!
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dreaming (01-12-2022)
#20
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Spoke with Cobb a few weeks ago and they have a CARB approved tune in the works it has already been submitted to CARB and im sure they will offer an update to those of us in CARBifornia. I personally am waiting for the new approved version to come out so i do not have to deal with installing and uninstalling multiple times. I can wait a few months.
#21
Burning Brakes
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You can and should use an OBD II test scanner to check readiness of the I/M monitors before a smog check. Not all ordinary driving will reset them. They will definitely not show ready if the battery recently has been disconnected or you recently got a check engine light. Scanners only cost about $40 or so. You don’t want a history of failed tests, or else at some point, you car will be flagged for having to go to a Star Certified smog check station, instead of any station convenient to your house. An Ancel AD310 is just one simple scanner for about $35 on Amazon.
If the monitors don’t all show ready, here is the reset procedure I found on the net. Be careful not to get into an accident! The drive cycle is not normal driving. You must start with a cold engine, preferably having the car sit overnight.
”Porsche 911 Drive Cycle - OBDII Emission Monitor Reset Procedure Prior to starting the driving cycle ensure your Porsche's fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full. Also do not exceed 3,000 rpm or 60 mph during any portion of the drive cycle. Take extra caution when perform the Porsche drive cycle on public roadways. if you think you will be unable to safely perform the drive cycle please seek assistance from an experienced Porsche mechanic or smog check repair center.
A. Start your Porsche 911 and let it idle for approximately 2 1/2 minutes. This will allow the ECU to diagnose oxygen sensor aging; meaning the computer will be monitoring the oxygen sensor warm-up period and reaction to rising exhaust temperatures. During this period the ECU is also testing the Secondary Air Injection system.
B. Begin driving. Accelerate to 20-30 MPH and maintain your speed for 3 1/2 minutes. The ECU will be testing catalytic converter efficiency.
C. Next, accelerate to 40-60 MPH. Once again maintain steady speed, this time for approximately 15 minutes. The EVAP system is now being tested along with adaptation range (2) and the oxygen sensor (switching).
D. Decelerate and come to a complete stop. If equipped with a manual transmission, idle in neutral for 3 minutes. If equipped with an automatic Tiptronic transmission, idle in drive (D) for 3 minutes. Adaptation range (2) is now being tested.
E. Repeat steps B through D. Drive cycle complete.”
The thing about the checks for OEM ecu firmware is that you can’t test for it using a reader like you can for OBD monitor readiness. So you don’t know if yours will be read by the smog check machine or not. To be safe, restore the OEM firmware and do a drive cycle. I’m looking forward to a CARB-certified Cobb tune to avoid having to do this re-flash every two years.
If the monitors don’t all show ready, here is the reset procedure I found on the net. Be careful not to get into an accident! The drive cycle is not normal driving. You must start with a cold engine, preferably having the car sit overnight.
”Porsche 911 Drive Cycle - OBDII Emission Monitor Reset Procedure Prior to starting the driving cycle ensure your Porsche's fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full. Also do not exceed 3,000 rpm or 60 mph during any portion of the drive cycle. Take extra caution when perform the Porsche drive cycle on public roadways. if you think you will be unable to safely perform the drive cycle please seek assistance from an experienced Porsche mechanic or smog check repair center.
A. Start your Porsche 911 and let it idle for approximately 2 1/2 minutes. This will allow the ECU to diagnose oxygen sensor aging; meaning the computer will be monitoring the oxygen sensor warm-up period and reaction to rising exhaust temperatures. During this period the ECU is also testing the Secondary Air Injection system.
B. Begin driving. Accelerate to 20-30 MPH and maintain your speed for 3 1/2 minutes. The ECU will be testing catalytic converter efficiency.
C. Next, accelerate to 40-60 MPH. Once again maintain steady speed, this time for approximately 15 minutes. The EVAP system is now being tested along with adaptation range (2) and the oxygen sensor (switching).
D. Decelerate and come to a complete stop. If equipped with a manual transmission, idle in neutral for 3 minutes. If equipped with an automatic Tiptronic transmission, idle in drive (D) for 3 minutes. Adaptation range (2) is now being tested.
E. Repeat steps B through D. Drive cycle complete.”
The thing about the checks for OEM ecu firmware is that you can’t test for it using a reader like you can for OBD monitor readiness. So you don’t know if yours will be read by the smog check machine or not. To be safe, restore the OEM firmware and do a drive cycle. I’m looking forward to a CARB-certified Cobb tune to avoid having to do this re-flash every two years.
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dreaming (01-12-2022)
#22
Addict
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Gawd....that is exactly the same sequence as old E46 BMWs ! Must be a german ECU thing ! I had my M3 fail smog for a disconnected battery (replaced) and had to do all that - the hard part is the 40-60 mph for 15 minutes and almost got killed in the process, getting passed by busses etc... in the case of the bimmer - so I'm adding this here just in case - you also cannot exceed 3000 rpm on that 40-60 mph drive ! no fun ! The bimmer indicated that it was not ready for ODB test (had I thought of checking) so you can tell if the drive cycle worked or not... Have not tried on the Porsche !
#24
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No, actually the emissions test schedule for California is much the same as Colorado. New vehicles are not required to be tested for the first 8 years; In the 8th year, the car is subject to biennial testing.
#25
Burning Brakes
#26
Racer
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Yes, that is the question I'm asking.
Within the past year or so DMV updated their software to be able to better flag tunes. By re-flashing to stock the Cobb tune should be unseen and not flagged. I'm just asking the Rennlist community if that is actually what is happening. I've been around enough not to assume it should work vs. what is actually happening.
Within the past year or so DMV updated their software to be able to better flag tunes. By re-flashing to stock the Cobb tune should be unseen and not flagged. I'm just asking the Rennlist community if that is actually what is happening. I've been around enough not to assume it should work vs. what is actually happening.