I/M Testing - OBDII CARB Readiness Monitor Information: Overview

NO: 25-02-98

GROUP: Emissions

DATE: Oct. 23, 1998

SUBJECT:

I/M (Inspection Maintenance)
Testing - OBD II "CARB"
Readiness Monitor Information

MODELS:

1996 - 1999 (AB) Ram Van/Wagon
1996 - 1999 (AN) Dakota
1996 - 1999 (BR/BE) Ram Truck
1998 - 1999 (DN) Durango
1996 - 1999 (FJ) Avenger/Sebring/Talon
1996 - 1999 (JA) Cirrus/Stratus/Breeze
1996 - 1999 (JX) Sebring Convertible
1996 - 1999 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/Vision/LHS/New Yorker/300M
1996 - 1999 (NS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager
1995 - 1999 (PL) Neon
1997 - 1999 (PR) Prowler
1996 - 1999 (SR) Viper Roadster/Coupe
1997 - 1999 (TJ) Wrangler
1999 (WJ) Grand Cherokee
1996 - 1999 (XJ) Cherokee
1996 - 1998 (ZJ) Grand Cherokee

NOTE:
THIS INFORMATION APPLIES TO NATURALLY ASPIRATED (NON-TURBO) GASOLINE ENGINES.

DISCUSSION:

Some states that require I/M inspections are beginning to include OBD II "CARB" Readiness as a prerequisite to an I/M test. OBD Readiness tells an I/M station if the OBD II systems have run their self test. Owners, in those states that use OBD Readiness, may be denied an I/M test if one or more of the Readiness monitors read "NO" or in other words the OBD II monitors have not run their tests.

It is important to understand that the MIL will not be illuminated because OBD Readiness reads "NO". MIL illumination happens when an actual malfunction or failure of a monitored emissions system occurs. It is possible to have MIL illumination for a detected failure while at the same time having a "NO" for an OBO Readiness monitor.

NOTE:
MIL ILLUMINATION INDICATES ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. FURTHER DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE PROCEEDING FURTHER WITH THIS BULLETIN.

OBD Readiness that reads "NO" can be caused by the following: PCM reprogramming, PCM replacement, fault code erasure, battery disconnects and/or replacement. If any of the above items occur before an I/M test, a good chance exists that one or more of the monitors will read "NO" for OBD Readiness.

Some customers may be directed back to their dealers for assistance when an I/M test station has not allowed an I/M test due to Readiness status. The following procedures will help technicians efficiently run the Readiness tests so an owner can have their I/M test completed.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

1 CH6OOO Scan Tool (DRB III(R))
1 CH7000/7001 J1962Cable
1 CH7OlO J1962 MMC Cable

POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

TIME ALLOWANCE:

Labor Operation No: 25-01-01-91 0.5 Hrs.

FAILURE CODE: XX - Service Adjustment