well?

a friend of mine is going to get her car inspected VERY soon...and she's throwing a code. now, i pulled the code and we know what work she needs to get done, but she needs to get the car inspected before she'll have time to get the part replaced. i i need to know just how strict DE inspections are, so she doesn't waste her money doing the inspection if she's just going to fail.

i cleared the code, but i know there's always a chance it'll throw another CEL before Wednesday. advice would be appreciated.


for the record, she's throwing P0031 H02S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 1), which essentially means her O2 sensor (before the cat) needs replaced (correct me if i'm wrong, here). i told her where to get the sensor, but i won't have time to do the work before Wednesday (and we won't have free garage space until next weekend at the earliest).

 

I don't live in Delaware, but this gives an outline of what they look at:

http://www.dmv.de.gov/services/vehic...g_safety.shtml

In VA, you have 15 days to correct the problem if you fail. I imagine that it would be similar in DE. I'm not sure if they charge for both inspections (probably do) if you need to correct something.

 

When I was there they plugged directly into the OBD port and did a quick sniffer test. Only at a couple of state-run emissions sites.

I don't see that being easy to skip past, although the fix-it ticket might get her by.

 

gl-se addict -- thanks for the link, it's appreciated.

dgeesaman -- this is an inspection, not emissions. big difference.

 

In DE, emmissions and safety inspection are one and the same event.

If the car is showing a code, it will not pass.

Also, the inspection process at the state facilities are free, so a failure will not cost your anything except time to sit in the long lines. Best place to get the inspection done, if you are in north DE is in Wilmington off of I 495.

RXDad

 

Just a fyi, for DE they will also visually inspect for EGR, Catalytic converter, gas cap pressure test, emissions, check for front window tint, lights all around car, and brakes. If you are throwing codes you will fail.

 

Ive heard delaware is pretty easy to pass in, give it a shot

 

ah, i was unaware of this. thanks for the info.

yes, i know...

didn't know that about cost - tis good to know - but i don't know where she'll be going. she lived somewhere near UDel, so she's heading back to that area to get the test done and get her tags.

it's a completely stock vehicle, and everything works aside from the sensor throwing the code.

again, i know it'll fail if it throws a CEL - tis why i cleared it, and tis why i'll clear it again if she gets another before Wed.

 

What kind of car is it? I have a 94 RX, and they do a gas pressure test every time by clipping something in the engine bay and putting something on my gas cap. They put a mirror under my car for what I assume is a cat inspection. Tint test, check engine light test, brakes, and smog test.

I also have a 99 Acura, they plug me into their machine and do whatever, check lights, windows, and brakes and that's all.

 

03 Sentra. she won't get the sniffer test - it's OBD2.

 

Just take the car through and see what happens.Just make sure everything safety related is working so if it fails for the obd2 test you can still get a t-tag.That will give you a few weeks to fix the code and take the car back through the reinspection lane.Also i am pretty sure that all cars in delaware have to pass the sniffer test, not just obd1.

 

I've never seen them check for a cat on any of my cars.

 

^ its just a visual glance, if they don't know what they're looking for they won't say anything. I passed visual with straight pipe exhaust...

 

Kent County has always been tough on me for any kind of vehicle - I've been told that New Castle county is better to try.

 

And, for the RX, they pop the hood, check the codes, stick the sniffer in the exhaust every time.

 

i hated to bring this back to the top, but i have to comment. i live in sussex county delaware, and i have had all years, makes and models go through inspection. at the georgetown inspection lanes, i have never failed. they check the cel, the lights, the horn, and sniffer probe. occasionally they want to see your wipers work and windows go up and down. i currently have an obd 2 car and have never been plugged into. ****, a year ago i had to go through and i had a cel showing... so i threw up a pack of smokes on the dash in front of the light, and they never even looked. you are fucked up if you fail in georgetown.

i saw this topic come up once before a while back and figured i would set the story straight. maybe up in new castle and kent, the are particular, but not down here. and i dont think it matters where you get inspected. its all the same computer network.

oh yeah and if you fail, say emissions. if your cat fails, all you have to do is prove you spent $200 trying to get it fixed whether you pass your retest or not. and yes its free. and go a month early before you expire. never a line.