Buick Regal: Inspection/Maintenance System Check

Diagnostic Instructions

• Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
• Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
• Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Description

Several states require that a vehicle pass on-board diagnostic (OBD) system tests and inspection/maintenance (I/M) emission inspections in order to renew license plates. This is accomplished by viewing the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data display on a scan tool.

Using a scan tool, the technician can observe the I/M status in order to verify that the vehicle meets the criteria that complies with the local area requirements.

While testing in the I/M System Status mode, some DTCs may occur that are called I/M Test DTCs. An I/M Test DTC is defined as a fault code that is currently commanding the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ON, and is stored in non-volatile memory. The intended use of this data is to prevent vehicles from passing I/M inspection without proper repair to the vehicle. These fault codes are not erasable from any scan tool command or by disconnecting power to the controller. I/M Test DTCs are supported by all emissions related electronic control units (ECUs), such as engine control modules (ECMs), transmission control modules (TCMs), fuel pump control modules (FPCMs), etc. An I/M Test DTC will not be stored or erased from the ECU except at the end of trip processing which occurs 5 s after ignition OFF.

Conditions for Updating the I/M System Status

NOTE: New vehicles may not report an Inspection/Maintenance System Check pass or fail status for certain post catalyst oxygen sensor or heated oxygen sensor 2 diagnostics prior to 700 miles. After replacing a catalytic converter on a vehicle with greater than 700 miles, it may require up to an additional 700 miles to prevent a false failure status.

Each system requires at least one, and sometimes several, diagnostic tests. The results of these tests are reported by a DTC. A system monitor is complete when either all of the DTCs comprising the monitor have Run and Passed, or any one of the DTCs comprising the monitor have illuminated the MIL. Once all of the tests are completed, the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data will indicate YES in the Completed or Value column.

For example, when the HO2S Heater Monitor indicates YES, either all of the oxygen sensor heater tests have passed or one of the tests has illuminated the MIL. If the vehicle has four heated oxygen sensors, either all four heater circuit tests have passed or one of the heater circuit tests has illuminated the MIL.

The Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data will indicate NO under the Completed or Value column when any of the required tests for that system have not run. The following is a list of conditions that would set the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicator to NO:

• The vehicle is new from the factory and has not yet been driven through the necessary drive conditions to complete the tests.
• The battery has been disconnected or discharged below operating voltage.
• The control module power or ground has been interrupted.
• The control module has been reprogrammed.
• The control module DTCs have been cleared as part of a service procedure.

Conditions for Clearing I/M Test DTCs

1. Only the OBD II System can erase I/M Test DTCs. The OBD II system must determine that the malfunction that caused the I/M Test DTC to be stored is no longer present and is not commanding the MIL. Each of the following represents ways to clear an I/M Test DTC:

• If the MIL goes off due to 3 passing drive cycles, and the scan tool code clear is not used, the I/M Test DTC is erased at power down of the last drive cycle.
• If a scan tool code clear is used to turn OFF the MIL, the I/M Test DTC is not erased, therefore the DTC must PASS and not FAIL during the drive cycle. The I/M Test DTC is erased at power down of the drive cycle.
• If the controller is reflashed/reprogrammed, all I/M Test DTCs are erased.

2. For the OBD II System to run a single drive cycle for clearing an I/M Test DTC, all of the following conditions must occur:

• Cumulative time of engine run time greater than 600 s.
• Cumulative vehicle operation above 40 km/h (25 mph) over 300 s.
• Continuous vehicle idle greater than 30 s.
• Ignition OFF for 5 s to allow the code to clear.

Monitored Emission Control Systems

The OBD II system monitors all emission control systems that are on-board, but not all vehicles need every possible emission control system. For example, a vehicle may not be equipped with secondary air injection (AIR) or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The OBD II regulations require monitoring of the following; if equipped:

• The air conditioning system
• The catalytic converter efficiency
• Comprehensive component monitoring - Emission related inputs and outputs
• The evaporative emission (EVAP) system
• The fuel delivery system
• Heated catalyst monitoring
• Misfire monitoring
• The oxygen sensor system (O2S or HO2S)
• The oxygen sensor heater system (HO2S heater)

For the specific DTCs required for each system, refer to Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) System DTC Table. Systems such as misfire and comprehensive components may not be listed in a system status list.

These tests run continuously and do not require an I/M System Status indicator.

Diagnostic Aids

The Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data display provides an indication of when the control module has completed the required tests. This does not necessarily mean that the test has passed, only that a decision was made. If the diagnostic fails, a DTC will indicate the failure. If a failure indication is present for a DTC associated with one of the I/M regulated systems, it may prevent other required tests from running. For example, a DTC for the control circuit of the EVAP purge solenoid may not be listed in the Inspection/Maintenance System DTC Table because it is a continuous test. If this DTC is set, the Active Tests for the EVAP system may not run.

The Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data information may be useful for a technician to determine if diagnostics have run when verifying repairs.

Circuit/System Verification

Review the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators. All Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators should report YES, and no I/M Test DTCs should be present.

Circuit/System Testing

NOTE: Many DTC related repairs will instruct the technician to clear the DTC information. Clearing the DTC will reset the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators to NO.

Performing the I/M Complete System Set Procedure will set each of the I/M System Status indicators to YES.

1. Observe the Engine DTC information with a scan tool. Verify no DTCs are present.

• If a DTC is set that would prevent the I/M System Status tests from completing, diagnose that DTC before continuing. Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.

2. Review applicable service bulletins for software updates that would prevent the I/M System Status tests from completing.

• If a control module re-program or other repair is required, perform the Inspection/Maintenance Complete System Set Procedure.

3. Observe the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators.

• If any Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators report NO, perform the Inspection/Maintenance Complete System Set Procedure.

4. Observe the I/M Test DTC information with a scan tool. Verify there are no I/M Test DTCs present.

• If an I/M Test DTC is set and all of the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators are Yes, there is no need to perform the Complete System Set Procedure.

  Diagnose the DTC using the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle and refer to Conditions for Clearing the I/M Test DTCs.

• If an I/M Test DTC is set and the Inspection/Maintenance System Status or Data indicators are NO, diagnosis the DTC and perform the Inspection/Maintenance Complete System Set Procedure.

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