Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) System Check
INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE (I/M) SYSTEM CHECKDESCRIPTION
Several states require that a vehicle pass on-board diagnostic (OBD) system tests and the I/M emission inspection in order to renew license plates. This is accomplished by viewing the I/M System Status display on a scan tool. Using a scan tool, the technician can observe the I/M System Status in order to verify that the vehicle meets the criteria that complies with the local area requirements.
CONDITIONS FOR UPDATING THE I/M SYSTEM 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 malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Once all of the tests are completed, the I/M System Status display will indicate YES in the Completed column.
For example, when the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) Heater Test indicates YES, all of the oxygen sensor (O2S) heaters have been diagnosed. If the vehicle has four HO2S, all four heater circuits have been diagnosed. The I/M System Status will indicate NO under the Completed column when any of the required tests for that system have not run. The following is a list of conditions that would set the I/M System Status 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.
MONITORED EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEMS
The OBD II System monitors all emission control systems that are on-board. Not all vehicles have a full complement of emission control systems. 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:
- The air conditioning system
- The catalytic converter efficiency
- Comprehensive component monitoring-Emission related inputs and outputs
- The evaporative emissions (EVAP) system
- The EGR System
- The fuel delivery system
- Heated catalyst monitoring
- Misfire monitoring
- The oxygen sensor system (O2S or HO2S)
- The oxygen sensor heater system (HO2S heater)
- The AIR system
For the specific DTCs required for each system, refer to the Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) System DTC Table. Inspection/Maitenance (I/M) System (DTC) Table Systems such as fuel delivery, misfire, and comprehensive components may not be listed in a system status list. These tests run continuously on some vehicles and may not require an indicator.
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