CA Smog :-(

buy a can of passncan

 

MAF has been cleaned. I have disconnected the battery over night about 4 weeks ago when I installed my light bar. I have been driving it almost everyday after that.

 

Maybe the 02 sensor will take care of it. My gas mileage is terrible at 200 miles a tank. Seems like it's running rich

 

I've been trying to complete the catalyst drive cycle as well and have been trying to follow the exact cycle above, but have just been burning gas! I read that it is ok to complete this cycle in regular traffic does anybody know if this is true? I've attempted this cycle multiple times now(on the clearest 45mph speed limit road with the least amount of lights) but have had no luck. Completing this drive cycle SUCKS! I bet I would get pulled over trying to pull this one on a freeway late at night too. I mean 45 on a freeway in SD? HAHA

 

Yea I've tried all of it and nothing has worked.
Im just going to keep driving till DEC when my tags are due. :-(

 

Yup, good luck

 

There has to be a way to clear this up? If ours doesn't pass smog what would the options be?

 

Well I was getting an intermittent p0420 code - cat efficiency below threshold bank 1 - i did some work on it, new plugs new air filter sorta random stuff and it cleared up but after doing some work fixing my evap system, new vsv valve and evap sensor and resetting my error codes my scanner is telling me preemptively that I might have that error code again. So I am having to complete the cat drive cycle to see if this code really pops up. Really hope it doesn't!!

 

I was getting that p0420 code a few years ago. Truck ran fine, light just bothered me. I had already done all the random tune-up type stuff.

Finally decided to replace the cat since it was rattling a little. When I pulled it, I found that the exhaust gasket at the downstream end of the cat was deteriorated and not sealing to the pipe.

Anyway, I think I put in a new walker cat and some auto zone gaskets. Code has been gone for over 10,000 miles now. Don't throw away your old cat f you replace it; the recycling center gave me $40 for it.

 

Thanks, I am going to have to check that gasket if the code pops back up, may not replace cat until I'm 1000% sure its shot. The cat is supposed to last the lifetime of the truck. But its hard to gauge the lifetime of a Tacoma because they run forever! I have heard that if you hear it rattling or bump it with a soft mallet and hear internal rattling that its probably shot so good on you for replacing it.

 

What Cat did you repalce? we have two on our trucks
I still cant get my readyness monitor to reset.
I have done the toyota drive cycle a million times
still not reseting.

Im close to just selling the truck

 

You won't be able to legally sell the truck without doing the smog.

 

Sorry, didn't realize you have 2. My 96 4 cyl only has one cat.

 

Just put on a gray wig and some over-your-regular-glasses sun glasses and drive in the fast lane on the freeway

I bedded my brakes on a straight stretch of road at 3:30 am - must have looked like I was drunk af. You could go on the freeway around this time and do all of this stuff if you really wanted to.

 

I leave for work at 3:45 in the morning
there is no one on the road so the drive pattern is easy for me to do. All my DMV fees are paid I just need the stupid smog. I havent been driving the truck it's just sitting in my driveway.

 

Can you summarize what work you have done to attempt to fix this?

 

Well So far in the motor I have replaced Plugs (step colder for supercharged motors) OEM Wires Engine coolant temp sensor.
Cleaned the MAF throttle body AIC. Cleaned the K&N Filter put it back dry (no oil)

I also have a trans code that comes up when I use the over drive (torque converter solenoid) . In the Trans I have replaced a cracked flex plate
Both shift solenoids and Torque converter lock up solenoid. changed the trans fluid TWICE with Toyota ATF.


the truck runs great! just cant get the Catalyst monitor to be ready, I have unhooked the battery overnight a tone of times before running the drive cycle.
all monitor will become ready after i do the drive cycle a few times just not the Catalyst monitor.


So I was wondering if I replace one of the Cats will that fix it? and what one do I replace ?
I'm getting my paycheck garnished for child support - back child support and Taxes from the last two years. I cant afford to just throw parts at it.

 

Have you looked at the O2 sensors?

Do you have the 7th injector setup for the S/C?

 

There are usually two o2 sensors: upstream and a downstream monitoring one of the cats. Replace that one. (I'm not too familiar with your truck though)

I did this on my last car before I sold it. I also ended up having to replace both O2 sensors as well.

If you take it to a muffler shop they usually have 50 state legal cats they can sell you and install much much cheaper than a Toyota part. Just make sure you say you only need the one replaced.

 

I have not touched the O2's at all as I am not getting a CEL

I do not have a 7th set up for it.