Acura Drive Cycle and Readiness Monitors

[rll_sb]

I took my Acura NSX in for the California smog test and it passed with no
problems -- except it showed several readiness monitors were "not ready".

The technician suggested driving on both the freeway and surface streets,
then bringing the car back for a recheck. It didn't help so now I've been
researching what appears to the magic associated with getting the car to
check its own sensors.

From what I've read, it requires performing "drive cycles" and doing all
sorts of slow, freeway, and stop-and-go maneuvers. This is the craziest
thing.

I guess it's all because I changed a heated O2 sensor a few months ago and
reset the codes.

Now I have to drive the car from a cold start and do several independent
drives to try to get the readiness codes to read "ready". Some sites state
you may have to drive many hundreds of miles before the engine will recheck
these sensors.

Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks,

- Russ in Santa Barbara

[Tegger]

"rll_sb" <rlomb...@gmail.com> wrote in
news:joekvd$em5$1...@dont-email.me:

> I took my Acura NSX in for the California smog test and it passed with
> no problems -- except it showed several readiness monitors were "not
> ready".

Which monitors?

>
> The technician suggested driving on both the freeway and surface
> streets, then bringing the car back for a recheck. It didn't help so
> now I've been researching what appears to the magic associated with
> getting the car to check its own sensors.

Here is something I collected of a Honda document some years ago. Should
still be valid.
<http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/readiness.txt>

>
> From what I've read, it requires performing "drive cycles" and doing
> all sorts of slow, freeway, and stop-and-go maneuvers. This is the
> craziest thing.
>
> I guess it's all because I changed a heated O2 sensor a few months ago
> and reset the codes.

You have absolutely no idea, and neither do I. For all you know, it's a
EVAP problem, which is common.

Several things to think of:
1) Some models and years have persistent problems with monitors that will
not complete. Such models have exemptions in most jurisdictions. Also, some
jurisdictions will allow one or more "incomplete" monitors.

2) Honda (Acura) issues TSBs and Service News articles when certain models
have problems with monitors not completing.

3) A pending DTC will prevent a monitor from showing complete.

You need somebody with a proper OBD-II reader to scan the computer and have
a look at _everything_, not just the monitors.



--
Tegger

[rll_sb]

Hi Tegger,

Thanks for your notes. My responses are included.

"Tegger" <inv...@example.com> wrote in message
news:XnsA04ED96A...@208.90.168.18...

> "rll_sb" <rlomb...@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:joekvd$em5$1...@dont-email.me:
>
>> I took my Acura NSX in for the California smog test and it passed with
>> no problems -- except it showed several readiness monitors were "not
>> ready".
>
>
> Which monitors?

There are three, the O2 and two others that won't test ready until the O2
sensor completes.

>
>
>>
>> The technician suggested driving on both the freeway and surface
>> streets, then bringing the car back for a recheck. It didn't help so
>> now I've been researching what appears to the magic associated with
>> getting the car to check its own sensors.
>
>
> Here is something I collected of a Honda document some years ago. Should
> still be valid.
> <http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/readiness.txt>

Thanks, I found several similar ones as well. I plan to do another test
drive tomorrow.

>
>
>>
>> From what I've read, it requires performing "drive cycles" and doing
>> all sorts of slow, freeway, and stop-and-go maneuvers. This is the
>> craziest thing.
>>
>> I guess it's all because I changed a heated O2 sensor a few months ago
>> and reset the codes.
>
>
> You have absolutely no idea, and neither do I. For all you know, it's a
> EVAP problem, which is common.
>
> Several things to think of:
> 1) Some models and years have persistent problems with monitors that will
> not complete. Such models have exemptions in most jurisdictions. Also,
> some
> jurisdictions will allow one or more "incomplete" monitors.

California allows two; my NSX has three.

>
> 2) Honda (Acura) issues TSBs and Service News articles when certain models
> have problems with monitors not completing.
>
> 3) A pending DTC will prevent a monitor from showing complete.
>
> You need somebody with a proper OBD-II reader to scan the computer and
> have
> a look at _everything_, not just the monitors.

I have an OBD II reader and can see the not ready on the three sensors. I
plan to drive it again tomorrow and real-time monitor the oxygen sensor to
see if I can get it to change to ready.
>
>
>
> --
> Tegger

[kelly]

replying to rll_sb, kelly wrote:
yes and it sucks

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