96 ford ranger wont pass smog due to microchip He says 2 drive 30 mi to reset but no luck. Please Help me?

Question

I've taken it 3 times to the same mechanic as well as a certified smog check station(for California) and all tell me the same thing. Short of buying a new truck, which I cannot afford right now, what can I do?

Answer 1

When they say drive it 30 miles they mean real easy miles. After you clear the computer as mentioned with the battery cable off method, drive it on a freeway without traffic and go straight to the Smog Station to test it while the engine is hot. If they leave it parked for an hour or so before they check it, the Oxygen sensor may cool off and cause a rich test condition. If the tune of the truck is good you will have a better chance of passing smog. Don't take it out and "Blow it Out" with hard driving because the sensors might remember that driving pattern and cause a code to be stored. If you have any fault codes stored in the computer it will trigger an automatic failure for Smog check. Hard fault codes stored in the computer will not go away by driving 30 miles. They have to be erased.

Answer 2

Ok try this disconet the battery for like 2 hours then re conect the computer. Or you can try this cylet the igniton switch 30 times within a min and that should rest the computer.

Answer 3

have it smog tested on a really windy day,, not sure about California,, but I know they test at gas stations (in Vegas),, outdoors and I heard that a windy day will help you pass!

Answer 4

disconnect your battery cable......either one......now turn the key through all the position,s.......to discharge all capacitor,s........wait 5 minutes......reconnect the cable............drive on the highway for 10 miles ............then try the test.........if that doesn't work.....have your computer scanned..........by a different mechanic.