I failed smog the other day for some reason that I cannot figure out. I had an SES for the code P1273 while I had on the MD ART Pipes. I took off the pipes and reset the ECU and the code hasn't come back. The car may have been cold, since I had to leave it at the smog shop while another person got smoged first. I have an MREV2, 5/16 plenum spacer, and a Z Tube. My exhaust is completely stock now. I have driven about 300+ miles since taking off the test pipes and haven't gotten and SES light back. What could be going on!? Any help is appreciated! I attached the smog report from the failure.

 

None of your mods should have caused you to fail your smog inspection. If you live in SoCal I can send you to a couple place that can figure out why you failed....Gary

 

Yes I am in SoCal, but I don't have a bunch of money to spend.

 

1273 is a lean code on bank 1. The car being cold combined with your MREV and spacer may have caused this.

 

Not passing smog you don't have a choice but to spend enough to get your G to pass....right? Smog stations only give you one crack at getting it fixed before they charge you for another test. The two shops I would recommend are CARZONE in the valley 818-373-1330 or Magic Auto Center (Chris) in Valencia 661-291-1232. Which ever is closer to you, they don't charge what the stealerships do....Gary

 

Really? That hard to believe

 

Tony from MD told me that bank one is in the header... Would I maybe just need to replace that O2 sensor?

 

Very true! I'm in Orange County which is quite a ways away from those shops. I really appreciate the help though! I'll just have to find a place around here that makes more sense.

 

you can always add a little bit of alcohol to lower your HC count. but all you really need to do is basically beat the car on the freeway and get your cat nice and hot and when you go to the smog shop, leave your car on until you take the test. Also make sure your using 91 oct gas.

It harder to pass lower speed smog since it takes awhile for the cat to heat up.

 

yeah, i'm gonna drive the car to school and back tomorrow then straight to the smog check place. leave it on and hot until the test. if i haven't gotten an SES light since i took off the pipes, do you think it just could have been a leak in the headers to test pipes section? my sensor is most likely still good, correct?

 

When you throw the CES error code and clear it the first couple times it takes a while for it to come back but eventually you can't get out the driveway without seeing it. I had to replace the right bank sensor when I installed my Berk's, you may need to also. If it's bad it won't go away and you won't pass smog....Gary

 

ok, thank you. but it has been off for a couple weeks now, about 400 miles. so it should be ok then right?

also, is that code for the left or right sensor?

 

I believe bank 1 is the first sensor on the right side (when under your car) that's what I replaced too....Gary

 

Is that the driver or passenger side?

 

Thank God we don't have this smog bullshit here in florida...

what a pain in the *** and a hassle