2001 Buick Regal diagnostics

Tiny
CHINESE FOOD
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK REGAL
  • 136,000 MILES
Showing 2 incomplete on scanner device. 02 heater sensor and evap monitor. I had 02 sensor replaced and it's still scanning as incomplete. How long will it take to scan as ok to be able to pass inspection. What is an appropriate price on having an evap monitor replaced?
Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 11:52 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It should hjust show the codes of what is wrong, the evap canister or normally the purge valve is bad or dirty causing that code or it's leaking so you'll need a smoke test done to it.
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
CHINESE FOOD
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My check engine light was on for awhile and a friend connected his devices to see what was wrong. He said no codes were showing so he cleared it to turn the light off. The check engine light never came back on. I took it to get inspected in July and the computer is just saying the two I've described are incomplete and the mechanic said he can't inspect it with two incomplete. But thmechanics scanner isn't giving him any codes so we're starting with the least expensive repair first which was the 02 sensor but that's still showing incomplete with no codes.
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Then you are going to have to get your aldl to let the scanner read what is wrong because it may be something eintirely different. Check your underhood fuses and see if you rconnections are ok.
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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This is a different expert. I understand what you are asking. You are trying to get two monitors to reset as "ready" so you will pass inspection. That requires a very specific drive cycle for each one. A monitor is not a thing that you can replace. It's a program in the computer.

Here is the one for the 0/2 monitor and the EVAP monitor
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
CHINESE FOOD
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I did a little more research and I found that the reason for my 02 sensor not showing as being complete may be caused by a failed thermostat. May heater really doesn't get warm or takes a very long time for my heat to get warm in the fall and winter. I do know that that is caused by a malfunctioning thermostat. Will that really cause my 02 sensor not to read as ok even though it's brand new? Should I replace the thermostat and have my mechanic 're scan my computer to see if the 02 sensor reads ok?
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 1:11 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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If the engine doesnt' get up ot operating temp it will NEVER pass an emission test. So do that
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
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Here is what it takes to set the monitor.

I/M Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater System Set

DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this test is to satisfy the enable criteria necessary to execute I/M readiness diagnostics for the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) system. The test may be used to set the I/M System Status to YES. Ensure the vehicle meets the requirements listed in Conditions for Running before performing this test. Failure to meet the necessary requirements may produce inaccurate lest results.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING

The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 35°C (95°F).
The intake air temperature (IAT) is less than 35°C (95°F).
The difference between the IAT and the ECT is less than 6°C (11°F).
The battery voltage is between 9-18 volts.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
The HO2S Heater Tests will normally run within the 2 minutes allotted in the procedure. If there is an indeterminate condition, the test may take up to 8 minutes on some vehicles before a decision of pass or fail is made. If the test does not update within the allotted period of time, continue operation within the enable conditions until the test updates to YES. If the test does not update to YES, it may have failed or aborted due to the loss of enabling conditions. Extremely high ambient temperatures may prevent the HO2S Heater Test from initiating.

The I/M System Status does not indicate whether the test has passed or failed, only that a decision was made. When all of the diagnostics for a specific system have run and passed, the I/M System Status will update to YES. If a test for a specific system has failed, the I/M System Status will update to YES, indicating a determination was made, even if all of the required tests have not run. When a failure occurs, the Emission Related DTC portion of the I/M System Status display will indicate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is requested. The I/M System Status also registers the number of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

The first failure of a type B DTC does not constitute a final determination of pass or fail, and will not update the I/M System Status to YES. A second trip is required, and all the conditions to run must be met in order for the test to run again. These conditions may include a partial to complete engine cool down.

The I/M System Status will update only when the DTC fails the second time, or all of the tests pass.

If there is an impending failure, the system may require more time to run the diagnostic than was allotted in the set procedure. If the test does not run after numerous attempts and no DTC is set, review the appropriate scan tool data list and the service information for an indication of why the test does not complete. Some tests may abort due to changes in the conditions while the test is running. For example, changes in engine load, such as a cooling fan or an A/C compressor clutch turning ON, may cause the test to abort.

If a diagnostic test is difficult to run, observe the I/M System Status display while maintaining the necessary enable conditions until the system status updates to YES.

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

Make sure you perform the I/M System Check before performing this test. Failure to do so may result in difficulty updating the status to YES.
Preprogramming the scan tool will reduce the amount of time the oxygen sensor heaters operate while verifying the enable criteria.
This step is to identify a first failure of a type B DTC. A DTC only appears on the I/M System Status display when it becomes a MIL illuminating DTC. This occurs on the second failure of a type B DTC. A first failure of a type B DTC will not allow the I/M System Status to update to YES. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.
This step is to help identify any unique or unusual criteria required to run the diagnostic test in the event the universal set procedure does not. This information is located in the service information under Conditions for Running the DTC.
The I/M System Status only reports on whether or not a diagnostic has run, not the outcome of the test. If any emission related DTC sets after the tests are complete, the DTC will require diagnosis.
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
CHINESE FOOD
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My temperature gauge reads in normal operating on my instrument panel while driving but it does take a really long time to produce heat even if I let my car run for up to 15 minutes to warm up. It still isn't very warm when I get in and go and it takes about 10 minutes to drive to work and it's probably just getting warm. The heat inside the car I mean even though the gauge is in normal range. So I should replace the thermostat? That will correct the heat issue? Will it maybe correct my 02 sensor as well?
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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I just gave you all the info you need to reset the monitors.
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
CHINESE FOOD
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Thank you very much for your help. I'll pass the information to the mechanic!
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Wednesday, September 4th, 2013 AT 2:48 PM

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