Car failed nyc inspection five times. Any advice on how to get a sticker.. legally or otherwise..?

Question

My Hyundai Sonata 2001 failed inspection five times so I am unable to obtain my new inspection sticker which will prevent me from getting tickets.Here are some key points: Car got new alternator and battery three weeks ago b/c the battery died (that part was obvious) but the mechanic also said I needed a new alternator (who knows if that's true)Inspection failed at the first station I went to which also put in my alternator and battery.They said I have to drive the car on the highway so that the monitors re-set. So I took a road trip for six hours.Went to another mechanic;failed inspection 4 more times.They only charged me for my first failure,and not for the others... they said that the car passed the saftey inspection part BUT that the Catalyst and O2 Sensors are not allowing my car to pass.They said the monitors are "not ready" and I have to drive the car around some more (and hope I don't get a ticket).Dealership wants to charge me to see my car.
100,000 mile warranty is B.S.!

Answer 1

What the HELL are you doing with a car in New York City? You couldn't just use public transportation? Sell your car, dump it on the New Jersey Turnpike, just get rid of it. That way you don't have the added expense of maintaining your car and getting it inspected or whatever. You probably never drive it anyways.

Answer 2

Wow! What a bunch of BAD answers! Including one from a mechanic with 36 years of practice! Guess we all know where I WON'T be taking MY car for repairs!

Your car uses the OBDC-II computer system. All cars sold in the US must use this system since the 1996 model year. It provides for a significantly improved emissions management and testing procedure but it does have it's quirks. (And I'm shocked that an experienced mechanic is not aware of this!)

When you disconnect the battery it typically takes 3 - 5 days of normal driving for the computer to store enough data for a valid test. If you have not driven it enough, you get the "not ready" indication and cannot pass the test. It's NOT the O2 sensor or the catalyst that are preventing you from passing the test!

Most states will give you a bit of breathing room on the inspection sticker if the car is safe to operate and the reason you failed is for the "not ready" condition. Keep copies of the inspection reports with you that document the "not ready" condition and drive it for 3 - 5 days of normal driving before you take it back.

That's not covered under the warranty as it's a normal maintenance procedure. If your car should fail once the computer is "ready" then your warranty should kick in if it's a true 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty.

And if you think I'm full of hot air and insist in rating this answer "Thumbs-Down", have a look here for a complete expanation of the system and procedures: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dar/beim/index.html

Until your car has been driven enough to get a "ready" reading on the emissions testing computer, there is NOTHING that ANY mechanic can (or should) do to get your car to pass the test! Your car could still have issues, but a "not ready" on the test computer means you're not ready for the test. Pure and simple!

Answer 3

I can't believe what these "mechaniks" have to say. Real stupid answers for anyone who "claims" to know whats wrong.
FIRST, don't change any parts. OK, SECOND, listen carefully, The catylist and evap. syatem monitors do not run every time you run your car.Getting the catylist monitor to run may require several miles of driving at various speeds and loads. The evap. monitor won't run unless the vehicle has sat overnight and the fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full.It also may not run in extremely hot or cold weather. NOTE the varying speeds and loads above. Drive a road with some hills so you can do this.This should also take care of the o2 sensor problem as 02 is part of the catalyst system

Answer 4

Well, seems to me that your O2 sensors might need to be replaced. I don't know how many miles you have on your vehicle, but it may be time to have them changed.

In the meantime, get some Fuel System Cleaner and put it in your gas tank. That should help clean everything up and register a little better.

They also sell a product that is similar but is supposed to help you pass inspection. I don't know the name of it, but ask for it when you visit your local auto parts store.

Hope this helps and I hope you don't get any tickets in the meantime.

Answer 5

I'm so glad I live in Indiana for that reason. Those inspections that you have to go through are stupid. It sounds like you have a bad cat converter or some defective O2 sensors.

Answer 6

Sweetie, the worst thing to happen to women is that mechanics rip them off. If you can get your car out to Westbury, NY, here is the BEST mechanic: 917-687-6891 His name is Matt. I have been driving for 37 yrs. and this man is the best! Tell him Linda recommended him.
Obviously, the mechanics you went to don't know diddly-squat. My '98 Caravan has 200,000 miles on it and runs better than a new one...with the original engine and tranny....thanks to him.

Answer 7

i own a repair shop,and you need to find a good mechanic,if they told you that their full of it,,it don't have to drove that much,you just need another mechanic,,their not experienced enough,or something,,because that car shouldn't have those kind of problems at all ,good luck i hope this help,.s

Answer 8

Fix your car. If you want the privilge of driving you have to accept the responsibilities as well.

Answer 9

move to New Jersey, or anywhere else, leave new york