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Information on OBD II Testing For The Consumer

79.24(i)(9a):Effective July 1, 2003, all non-diesel and non-electric powered 1996 and newer model year vehicles under 8501 except for vehicles classified as homemade or custom, shall be checked for the operation and activation of the on0board diagnostic Malfunction Indicator Light.

For inspections outside the New York Metropolitan Area (Low Enhanced emissions inspection), the following failure criteria are effective July 1, 2003. Reject if:

The MIL fails to light with the key on and engine off
The MIL remains lit with the engine running

NYVIP
New York Vehicle Inspection Program

A more complete check of the on-board diagnostic system (OBD) that controls this light, using NYVIP equipment, is required by federal law. The new NYVIP test will be implemented in all 53 upstate counties by June 2004.

The new NYVIP test will use information in the “On-Board Diagnostics” (OBD) computer system already in your vehicle to help reduce air pollution in our state. The NYVIP equipment to be used for this advanced test is currently being pilot tested. If your vehicle is tested as part of NYS inspection, your vehicles on-board computer will be scanned for “fault codes” in addition to the required visual check of the light. The scanning will be done by plugging your vehicles connector to the NYVIP equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding NY VIP

Q: Why is this change happening?
A: Under the provisions of the Federal Clean Air Act of 1990, NY State was required to implement OBD testing. This is due to NY State being considered by the US EPA to be part of the ozone transport region. In the last few years you would have noticed ozone warnings become commonplace in much of NY State, especially on hot summer days. Ground level ozone can aggravate or even cause respiratory ailments, such as damage to lung tissue and reduction in lung function. Nitrogen Oxides, or NOx for short, is a major contributor to ground level ozone, acid rain and water quality deterioration. This program is aimed at reducing the amounts of NOx in the air as well as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons there by allowing us to breathe cleaner air and meet Federal standards.

Q: Where and when will NY VIP begin?
A: NY VIP is expected to be implemented in a modest number of stations later this year and continue until the entire program is operational in the 53 county upstate area. The full program is currently projected to be implemented no later than June 30, 2004. NY VIP will be expanded into the New York Metropolitan area no later than April 2005.

Q: What is “OBD II”?
A: “OBD II” stands for “On Board Diagnostics 2”. This system has been around for almost ten years now and has proven to be very effective in alerting the vehicle driver to a problem that has the potential to cause vehicle emissions to go above a certain level

Q: Will registration based emission enforcement be used upstate?
A: Yes, it is expected that registration based emission enforcement will be expanded to include upstate. For those people not familiar, registration based emission enforcement means that a person will not be allowed to renew their vehicle registration unless we have a record that the vehicle for the renewal is sought has passed a valid emission inspection within the last 12 months. The fact that these items will be communicating live inspection data will make this very easy to do.

Q: What will we be testing for?
A: Safety inspection criteria will not change. Emissions inspections will remain the same for 1995 and older vehicles but, will change significantly for 1996 and newer gasoline powered vehicles with a registered weight of 8500 lbs or less.

On these 1996 and newer vehicles, you will also be required to inspect the OBD II system and vehicles will be failed for the following additional reasons:

MIL is on with engine running
MIL does not light with key on engine off
MIL is commanded on by Power Control Module (PCM)
Readiness indicators are not set

Q: So, I can just unhook the battery to clear the codes and the vehicle will pass?
A: No, OBD II has what are called readiness indicators which will have to be reset by driving the vehicle before re-testing.

Q: What if someone just removes the MIL bulb?
A: Part of the OBD II inspection will be to check the MIL for proper function; if the MIL does not light in the key-on-engine-off mode, the vehicle will fail. If the MIL stays lit with the key-on-engine-running mode, the vehicle will fail. If the MIL is commanded on by the PCM, the vehicle will fail even if the light itself somehow malfunctions. So, as you can see, if someone were to remove the MIL bulb, the vehicle will still fail.

Q: Will a vehicle that belches blue smoke fail?
A: Not necessarily, if the blue smoke does not cause the OBD II system to set a code and all the necessary readiness indicators are set, the vehicle might pass.

Q: Some vehicles prior to 1996 model year were equipped with OBD II. Will these vehicles get an OBD II inspection?
A: No.

If you receive an “Fail” result

Your repair technician should give you an official “Inspection Receipt” that explains the test results. Your vehicle may fail for one or more reasons: