Meso stage 1 questions

I took my Tacoma into my VA state inspection station today to beat the monthly crowd.

Much to my dismay, the tech drives the truck out with a rejection sticker on it. Says the lighting on the entire rear of the truck is "illegally" LED lit. Didn't like the Meso stage 1 lighting nor the LED license plate mods nor the license plate off mod when the backup lites are on. Says I have to convert everything back to stock before he can pass it.

Very odd since the truck has been to the very same station with those same mods 4 years in a row without an issue.

To make matters even worse, he also rejected the cab mounted stoplite because he didn't see a DOT on it. I tried to explain that it was totally factory and non-altered to no avail. He tried to say if it was factory, then it should have the DOT on it.

So now I am completely frustrated because I don't recall where I put any of the original parts or even what they may look like anymore. Was there an original harness removed from the truck to install the MESO kit or was it plug and play?

Totally bummed out. Sorry for the rant.......

 

Go someplace else. Seriously. It sounds like you have a new inspector who doesn't know much. While he's not technically wrong about the LED lighting, I have been passing with LED replacements for over 10 years. Four of those years was with MESOs Stage 2 in the rear. And I know plenty of other people that do the same. The only LED replacement I would caution against is headlights. I would also think about changing the license plate off in reverse thing for the inspection.

I can't remember if the lens on the CHMSL has to have the DOT/SAE stamp, but everything else does. I'll look at my 4runner when I get home.

All in all, dude is being ridiculous. He's too black and white about the manual. If he were to take a lot of the way it's written at face value, then genuine replacement parts from third party manufacturers would cause a rejection.

Anyway, don't try and be sneaky. I think rejection reasons are filed electronically now and another inspector can see it, but it's probably vague like lighting. I'm not 100% about that but basing it on a rejection I received and went someplace else for.

 

I would go to another inspection station and be up front with them and get their input. Bring up the cab mounted stoplite, that's way out of line. sounds like this tec was just being a ass.
@crashdb is probably correct, it's in the system.
What a goat rope to deal with.
keep us posted

 

I have clear ceramic "tint"on my windshield and never had an issue until last year. I had to cut out the section over the sticker. I went back and the 2nd tech at the state inspection center laughed and said is was a shame I had to have such a nitpicky tech ruin the windshield tint.

 

I moved to a no inspection state.

 

They tried to get rid of ours. At least twice.

 

Re: DOT/SAE stamp on CHMSL.

Inconclusive. I checked my beater car that has an incandescent CHMSL. The stamp is there, but it's microscopic. I checked my 4runner and the wife's Lexus. They have LED lights and I couldn't see one.

Soooooo. Maybe LED doesn't get it? Ooooor dude climbed into the bed of your truck with a magnifying glass to check. Either way, a douche move.

If riled up over being failed for that part, you can complain to the state police.

 

Are these state run facilities?

 

Bam!

 

What is hilarious is the vehicles in South Carolina look good for the most part. Plus, the police will stop the worst offenders.

 

Climbed up on a ladder myself to check. Couldn't see or feel anything. Unless it was under the edge of the new seal when they did the recall thingy last year.

 

Answerable and under the jurisdiction of VA State PD as I understand.

 

Maybe more help over here in the right coast, https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/virginia.277/

 

Maine is an inspection state but we go to any shop we want, and there is no rejection letter or whatever.

Just got the Wife’s CR-V done, the license plate light was out, mechanic tapped it with his finger, good to go.

 

As said, it's a VA State Police run program that is performed by third party repair facilities. I have a love/hate relationship with the whole thing.

It's nice to keep the unsafe junk off the roads, but I don't think it's as effective as it's supposed to be.

Really what it is, is a revenue generator for the facilities that perform them.

Anyway. Unless you want to travel to the dark side of Prince William County, I don't know an inspection station out your way that's more relaxes.

 

Our state flags reason for failure in the system, not sure if yours does. But if they do, bet yo ass that’s where there gonna start, should you shop shops.
GL

 

I’m guessing dealerships aren’t part of the inspection process?

I’d fix everything Captain Pedantic busted you on and disaster proof the situation.

Not sure about the third brake light…Maybe call Johnny Cochrane and file a class action lawsuit against Toyota and VA Government…..just to hedge your bets!!!


Seriously though, I’d be focused on limiting my exposure to this kind of thing and moving on.

We live in an age of compliance.


Good luck!

 

Dealerships do the inspections too. Was actually where I encountered one of the worst.

 

Would a Toyota dealer bust his stones for a non-compliant 3rd brake light?

 

Move down to the sw part of the state. I see cars with expired inspection stickers in moths or even years daily. Agree with finding another shop to get it done. All mine cares about is that they light up when needed. I'm all stock but the inspection is very low key.