Car Won't Pass Inspection?

Budge · 11-13-2012, 09:46 PM

I have a 2009 M3 sedan with a dealer installed Dinan exhaust and tune. It's still under warranty and it drives great. I went to get a state inspection almost two weeks ago at my dealer. They told me my car didn't pass inspection because the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter sensor were registering as "not ready". They told me I needed to drive my car through a specified driving profile (5 minutes idle, 10 minutes 2-40 mph, 15 minutes 40-60 mph, etc). I did what they asked and it didn't help. So they kept my car so the mechanic could drive it. Anyway, it's been a week and a half and they've only cleared one fault. Now they're telling me one of the ECUs(?) may not be communicating correctly and may need to be replaced under warranty. Has anyone else had a problem getting their M3 to pass inspection?

taleof2bricks · 11-13-2012, 11:28 PM

2009 and inspection required?

I thought Cali was bad! I think they give us a 5 year "grace period" before the smog inspections are required. As far as the "drive cycle" or whatever they call it, that part is true, any time the power has been disconnected from pretty much any car. MAYBE the 2nd "fault" will clear up, once the car has been driven more. I never went throught the "procedure", I just drove the heck out of my car between the power disconnect & the test (about 200 miles or so).

Good luck

VCP · 11-14-2012, 12:32 AM

It might be the dinan tune

Bushido Brown · 11-14-2012, 07:58 AM

If you have a full exhaust on there, you're going to need to take the Dinan x-pipe off and put the factory one back on for the test. And swap back after. Might be a pain, but you'll pass.

S65NAPWR · 11-14-2012, 09:57 AM

It's likely the tune. Assuming you haven't taken out prim and sec cats out.

M3PO · 11-14-2012, 12:54 PM

We need more info on the exhaust. Is it a full exhaust with Dinan x-pipe or just a Dinan rear section. The tune may have turned off the rear O2 sensors to avoid a CEL for missing cats. This will come up as "not ready" causing you to fail.

Budge · 11-14-2012, 05:59 PM

I just have the Dinan rear section. I asked them if it was the tune. They could easily remove the tune, run the test, and put the tune back on. Apparently, they don't think it's the tune.

lorinzo · 11-14-2012, 06:05 PM

I was curious about this similar issue.

I ordered a Dinan rear muffler and am still considering tune... (even more so now that I discovered 15% off sale from Dinan thru 12/31/12) but, want to make sure that the two combined will not cause a problem with CA smog.

DBH · 11-14-2012, 06:17 PM

It's not the Dinan tune or cat-back exhaust. I've had both on three different BMW's and pasted years of emissions inspections in NY, CT and PA with NO problem.

Budge · 11-14-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBH

It's not the Dinan tune or cat-back exhaust. I've had both on three different BMW's and pasted years of emissions inspections in NY, CT and PA with NO problem.

You're right. My car passed inspection last year with no problem. Something else is going on.

11-13-2012, 09:46 PM	#1
Budge Professional Trophy Husband 25 Rep 150 Posts Drives: '09 M3 Sedan DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Car Won't Pass Inspection? I have a 2009 M3 sedan with a dealer installed Dinan exhaust and tune. It's still under warranty and it drives great. I went to get a state inspection almost two weeks ago at my dealer. They told me my car didn't pass inspection because the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter sensor were registering as "not ready". They told me I needed to drive my car through a specified driving profile (5 minutes idle, 10 minutes 2-40 mph, 15 minutes 40-60 mph, etc). I did what they asked and it didn't help. So they kept my car so the mechanic could drive it. Anyway, it's been a week and a half and they've only cleared one fault. Now they're telling me one of the ECUs(?) may not be communicating correctly and may need to be replaced under warranty. Has anyone else had a problem getting their M3 to pass inspection?
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11-13-2012, 11:28 PM	#2
taleof2bricks Private First Class 7 Rep 104 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Sedan Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Surf City, CA iTrader: (0)	2009 and inspection required? I thought Cali was bad! I think they give us a 5 year "grace period" before the smog inspections are required. As far as the "drive cycle" or whatever they call it, that part is true, any time the power has been disconnected from pretty much any car. MAYBE the 2nd "fault" will clear up, once the car has been driven more. I never went throught the "procedure", I just drove the heck out of my car between the power disconnect & the test (about 200 miles or so). Good luck
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11-14-2012, 12:32 AM	#3
VCP Colonel 1390 Rep 2,336 Posts Drives: M4GTS BSM/F90comp/BSM M2CS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	It might be the dinan tune
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11-14-2012, 07:58 AM	#4
Bushido Brown Private First Class 9 Rep 127 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (1)	If you have a full exhaust on there, you're going to need to take the Dinan x-pipe off and put the factory one back on for the test. And swap back after. Might be a pain, but you'll pass.
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11-14-2012, 09:57 AM	#5
S65NAPWR Lieutenant 28 Rep 557 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tri-State iTrader: (0)	It's likely the tune. Assuming you haven't taken out prim and sec cats out.
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11-14-2012, 12:54 PM	#6
M3PO Colonel 84 Rep 2,792 Posts Drives: '08 IB E92 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: OC iTrader: (7)	We need more info on the exhaust. Is it a full exhaust with Dinan x-pipe or just a Dinan rear section. The tune may have turned off the rear O2 sensors to avoid a CEL for missing cats. This will come up as "not ready" causing you to fail. __________________ 2008 IB E92 M3\| BBS \| KW \| Arkym \| Platte Forme A.G. \| Active Autowerke \| K&N \| Fabspeed \| Dinan \| Evolve-R
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11-14-2012, 05:59 PM	#7
Budge Professional Trophy Husband 25 Rep 150 Posts Drives: '09 M3 Sedan DCT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I just have the Dinan rear section. I asked them if it was the tune. They could easily remove the tune, run the test, and put the tune back on. Apparently, they don't think it's the tune.
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11-14-2012, 06:05 PM	#8
lorinzo Captain 84 Rep 953 Posts Drives: e90 M3; i3 rex; e46 M3 vert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I was curious about this similar issue. I ordered a Dinan rear muffler and am still considering tune... (even more so now that I discovered 15% off sale from Dinan thru 12/31/12) but, want to make sure that the two combined will not cause a problem with CA smog. __________________ \| 2011 M3 Sedan \| Le Mans Blue \| M-DCT \| ZC2 \| ZCP \| ZP3 \| Moonroof \| Enhanced Premium Sound \| Dinan exhaust \| Dinan software \| Dinan pulley \| Dinan intake \| Dinan pedals \| Bimmian LED interior \| Lux H8 V3 \| WeissLicht PY24W LED \| 20% tint \| IND reflectors \| IND front grills \| IND key hole cover \| IND hood vents \| IND M5 mirror covers \| Reus Systems audio \| Verstraβe shifter paddles \| BBS LM 20x9 et 15 and 20x10.5 et 15 \| Hankook Ventus V12 255/30/20 and 295/25/20 \| Red BBS Racing lug nut kit \| H&R Sport springs \|
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11-14-2012, 06:17 PM	#9
DBH First Lieutenant 3 Rep 349 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 E92 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	It's not the Dinan tune or cat-back exhaust. I've had both on three different BMW's and pasted years of emissions inspections in NY, CT and PA with NO problem.
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