Thanks to ViperBob for the SMOG Referee suggestion
11-09-2005, 04:16 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
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Thanks to ViperBob for the SMOG Referee suggestion
A big THANK YOU to ViperBob for suggesting we take ODB2 993's to the BAR referee for Biennial Smog inspections. What a great way to go.
First. It is only $38.25 for the test and cert.
Second. Going to the referee is much more like the old smog test mindset. My car was treated with considerable care and respect. I brought up the BAR listing of the 1996 car's known issue with ODB2 readiness codes and voila, no big deal based on better systems condition tests instead of simply looing quckly at the ODB port, i.e. proper voltage drop across the pre-cat / post-cat O2 sensors, actual 4 gas outputs from the tests
Third. The referee stations around here in the SF Bay Area are at Junior College Automotive Technology Centers. There were 30+ college age on-lookers asking many cool questions of me about my car. It was clear they thouroughly enjoyed having the P-Car in their shop.
Thanks Bob !
No more "test only" stations for me...
First. It is only $38.25 for the test and cert.
Second. Going to the referee is much more like the old smog test mindset. My car was treated with considerable care and respect. I brought up the BAR listing of the 1996 car's known issue with ODB2 readiness codes and voila, no big deal based on better systems condition tests instead of simply looing quckly at the ODB port, i.e. proper voltage drop across the pre-cat / post-cat O2 sensors, actual 4 gas outputs from the tests
Third. The referee stations around here in the SF Bay Area are at Junior College Automotive Technology Centers. There were 30+ college age on-lookers asking many cool questions of me about my car. It was clear they thouroughly enjoyed having the P-Car in their shop.
Thanks Bob !
No more "test only" stations for me...
11-09-2005, 04:28 PM
#2
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Glad it worked for you Jim... I thought it was great and saved time and money. That was also my experience. They hardly see the nicer cars, so they would not even drive my car into the shop. They also knew right away that it was a Turbo so no roller dyno, and since it was an OBD2 issue with readiness code problems of the 993, they just over rode the computer and I passed...
Who would have thought that a State sponsored place was better than the other stations...
Who would have thought that a State sponsored place was better than the other stations...
11-09-2005, 04:50 PM
#3
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Man THAT is the EXACT same experience I had at the Alameda smog referee station. Heck I'd rather go there than the regular ripoff smog checks at the gas station. ALso.. notice the difference in price. $90 at the local chevron vs rock star treatment at the referre station for $40!
11-09-2005, 05:09 PM
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I used the local Arco Smog Pros station & got out for $40 - cheaper than in years past. The tech did a simple visual inspection, inserted that exhuast probe and ran some idle and sustained rev tests. My readiness codes were "run", but it wouldn't have made any difference as he never plugged in.
Several years ago, tests on my other cars were much more involved. Is this considered the "referee" inspection?
Several years ago, tests on my other cars were much more involved. Is this considered the "referee" inspection?
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11-09-2005, 10:22 PM
#8
Three Wheelin'
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CP:
I sort of danced the issue when they asked "why" a referee at the time of making the appointment. I said that I had a BAR bulletin about this model Porsche and likely problems reading the OBD2 readiness codes at "Test only". From there, the appointment was made and I flew through, no big deal.
Also, I got the appointment within 24 hours of calling...better than DMV !
I sort of danced the issue when they asked "why" a referee at the time of making the appointment. I said that I had a BAR bulletin about this model Porsche and likely problems reading the OBD2 readiness codes at "Test only". From there, the appointment was made and I flew through, no big deal.
Also, I got the appointment within 24 hours of calling...better than DMV !
11-09-2005, 10:42 PM
#9
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Sounds like a great idea - how does one contact the referee station directly for an appointment?
11-11-2005, 02:31 PM
#11
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My Smog test is due this month and becasue my battery was disconnected for do long my readiness codes are not set either.
I plan on going to a referree as well.
One question: How do I get a hold of the BAR bulletin?
I plan on going to a referree as well.
One question: How do I get a hold of the BAR bulletin?
11-11-2005, 02:48 PM
#14
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No real bulletin that I am aware of. The folks at the station just seemed to know that it was an issue with these particular cars. Just state that the readiness codes are not reset from having the battery disconnected when you make the reservation at the Referee Station. That is all I did...
Last edited by viperbob; 11-11-2005 at 03:03 PM.