[Commander_47]

Our 2002 Taurus only has 92000 miles on it and has been a source of never ending Check Engine Light issues.

This latest is a doozie. Light is on, of course, and there is nothing wrong. NOTHING. Two garages checked the car and said they can't figure it out. OBD II does not show any issues at all. NONE. If you clear the non existent error codes with the OBD II tool, shut the engine off, then restart, the CEL won't come on for about 30 seconds. Then...DING, there it is.

As always....ad nauseum. If you clear the codes, even non existent ones, doesn't it take a hundred miles or so for the CEL to reset? Why would it just come one?

Well, the mechanics all agree.....has to be the computer, there is nothing left to check. So I ordered a computer, put it in this morning, had it set up to the car with the proper vin and all that needs to be done. Got new computer programmed and was all set to get the smog check so I could re new the registration on this turkey.

Put the new key in, turn it on and the car lept to life. For 30 seconds....there was no CEL, then...DING...there it is.

So, every thing has been replaced. EVERYTHING.

So, my question is, can ANYONE offer anything so I can get this hunk o junk past the smog check for the next 3 years. After that It never has to be done and I plan to run this car until the wheels fall off.

I don' t intend to ever drive a newer vehicle that needs smog checks.

 

[rjacket]

There are more modules to check than just OBDII. Not entirely sure if an error in those could also set the light.

But it is possible the garages used scanners that only checked the OBDII module.

You could check all modules yourself with an ELM327 and the free Forscan app.

 

[Automender12345]

+1^ Sounds like you have a code that the scanners used by the garages don't detect. Must not have been high quality garages. Use Forscan as stated above. It will read all the available codes. Maybe you can get the smog check done since any Evap/ emission code should have been read by their scanners.

 

[rjacket]

+1^ Sounds like you have a code that the scanners used by the garages don't detect. Must not have been high quality garages. Use Forscan as stated above. It will read all the available codes. Maybe you can get the smog check done since any Evap/ emission code should have been read by their scanners.

In CA the check engine light being on is automatic fail. The thing you can get away with is not having the evap monitor complete.

 

[ice445]

Sucks that they just guessed by throwing parts at your expense. You need something that can read all the modules. Forscan lite and an obd dongle can do it.

 

[Shadow351]

The headlamp switch/panel dimmer happen to impact the light?
CEL On 02 SE, won't go off, no codes reported...

You could try to check if the computer is turning on the light, With a scan tool like ForScan, there should be a PID labeled "MIL Request" or "MIL Status", or "Malfunction Indicator Lamp" (I'm more familiar with later model Ford PIDs, so hopefully a 2002 has it) and see what it's value is. If the PCM says it isn't requesting the MIL (What Ford calls the check engine light) I think you need to investigate a wiring issue between the PCM & IC.

 

[james27613]

Please check your wiring grounds, the braided ground cable near the computer and battery to frame connections.

 

[mikpal12]

My 01 does the same thing, it throws a P-1000 code, incomplete test, car runs and drives like new (88k), I have been getting better gas mileage and more power, my Bull is a SC car now (no inspection), but when it was a NY car they used the OBDII port to check emissions and then a visual safety inspection, if CA uses the probe for the tailpipe there's no way to get around it unless you know someone who knows how to make the car pass (open the EGR), but if they copy NY with the OBDII port, clear the codes right before it gets plugged in , if you can, or again if you know someone at the inspection place. Hope it helps and Good Luck.

 

[rjacket]

if CA uses the probe for the tailpipe there's no way to get around it unless you know someone who knows how to make the car pass (open the EGR), but if they copy NY with the OBDII port, clear the codes right before it gets plugged in , if you can, or again if you know someone at the inspection place. Hope it helps and Good Luck.

CA will always use the OBD port if available. Visual inspection is on top of that.

Clear codes before a test will give P1000 which is automatic fail.

As to cheating the test, LOL. You're going to have to learn how to hack the system to fake the computerized test. And a smog shops and technicians stats are constantly monitored for anomalies.

Smog test is a very serious thing out here. But if you don't have the money, you can get help with the repairs

 

[mikpal12]

Then the only other thing to do is get the ELM 327 and get a complete and total read out, like previously said, it will be equal to, if not better than, the dealership unit, they are not expensive and you can turn on hidden options that were turned off at the factory, one example would be pressing the lock button on your remote twice and the windows (and sunroof) will open an inch for ventilation during the summer, depending on the car, there could be a lot of them. Good Luck

 

[helifino]

My 01 does the same thing, it throws a P-1000 code, incomplete test, car runs and drives like new (88k),

p1000 is "informational" not indicating a problem. Just says "I haven't run all my tests yet."

 

[Steve83]

Clear codes before a test will give P1000...

...unless you complete a drive cycle on the way to the testing station, which isn't hard to do.

(click this text)

 

[eastwildlife]

My 02 wagon, 3.0 vulcan, had a mil illuminated. No codes. Pulled the cluster and found wire traces on the plastic "circuit board" had shifted over to the door open circuit. It was grounded and illuminated the light with key or running. I gently relocated the copper trace and so far, so good