Pt Cruiser Drive cycle trouble
I went to get a smog check recently and My car wasn't passing the I/m readiness check. specifically the HRT (heated o2 circuit), everything else was coming up green. I replaced the upstream o2 sensor a few months back and hadn't been driving much in the pandemic so I assumed it was a millage problem. After a hundred or so miles on and off the freeway I still had no luck. Since then I have replaced both o2 sensors again, driven more, still no green. thought It might be hung up on something so I disconnected the battery, everything was reading red, did about 80 more miles on and off the freeway and everything has cleared again except HRT. Not sure what to try next, please help.
You must have more than one readiness monitor not set. Under Federal Law a 2000 thru current model year vehicle will pass emissions inspection with one readiness monitor not set. To get the readiness monitors to set your gas gauge must be between one quarter and three quarters full. Just drive normally for a few days and they'll set. If the check engine light is on or it comes on, something is going on with the engine that needs to be addressed. Hope that helps! Jim
Thanks for the response Jim, unfortunately as I understand it, here in California only the evap monitor can fail. I have been to this smog place for more than a decade so I trusted him when he said it wouldn't pass. No error codes, and I've followed the instructions listed here https://www.smogtips.com/smog-question/3669/How-to-Complete-a-2004-PT-Cruiser-OBD-II-Drive-Cycle for the drive cycle as closely as I could, including the gas levels.
You're welcome. Glad to help! I did not know that California Emissions Readiness Monitor standards, 1996 and forward were different from the rest of the Country! I learned something new today! Thank you! So in California 1996 thru 99 models can have one readiness monitor not set and pass inspection, 2000 to current must have all readiness monitors set except for the EVAP system monitor. For the heated O2 sensor, try starting the engine cold and leave it idle for about 5 minutes. Then drive away to your destination. Hopefully that'll do it! Hope that helps! Jim
