Emissions Test REJECTED

[DoubleAIm]

Hello fellow E53 owners, I needed my X5 emission tested every two years here in BC, Canada. This is the first time I'm bringing it in for testing since I own the X. My SES light comes on once in a while on cold starts if I don't let it warm up before driving off, so I usually just reset/clear the fault(secondary air pump) with my creader vi. I had to clear it couple days before I went in for testing but rejected due to some sensors are not online they told me to drive it couple hundred km before coming back so I drove it for around 200km and went back and same thing happen, the test was rejected again. Does anyone know how long it would take for all the sensors to come back online or how to check it if it has so I don't have to keep going to the testing centre? (they test it by the OBD pulg and I have DIS on my laptop but not familiar about navigation through the software) Thanks in advance for any insight.

[tmv]

IIRC, distance drive doesn't matter. It takes a few starting cycles for it to be ready.

[upallnight]

Drive cycle was put in to prevent people from resetting the computer prior to bringing in their vehicle for the emission test. Now a days the test just compose of connecting the car to the emission computer and it determines if the car was reset recently and if there are any emission related codes.

[blktoptrvl]

I don't know if this is the same solution...

During cold starts with a failing battery, I would get the CEL almost every morning. I had to drive the vehicle at least 20 miles, park it let it sit and then restart it twice more with waiting periods in-between before all the sensors reset.

I cannot say how long the waiting periods were because I just let it sit while I was at work. So for me it was...

1. Get CEL.
2. Drive 35 miles to work.
3. Start vehicle at lunch time - go to lunch. Stop Engine.
4. After lunch (about 45 minutes), start car, CEL is gone.

[blktoptrvl]

I don't know if this is the same solution...

During cold starts with a failing battery, I would get the CEL almost every morning. I had to drive the vehicle at least 20 miles, park it let it sit and then restart it twice more with waiting periods in-between before all the sensors reset.

I cannot say how long the waiting periods were because I just let it sit while I was at work. So for me it was...

1. Get CEL.
2. Drive 35 miles to work.
3. Start vehicle at lunch time - go to lunch. Stop Engine.
4. After lunch (about 45 minutes), start car, CEL is gone.

[upallnight]

If you are getting a CEL you will fail the emission test. DTCs are stored in the memory of the computer. Even if the light is not on, the DTC is still stored in the computer memory. You need to get the DTC read and fix the problem.

[RFaber]

DoubleAIm ,YVR. i am at YXX, i would look at repairing the secondary air pump, at least that would permanently rid you of the CEL. Does your scanner give a "readiness indicator"? I know that there needs to be a certain drive pattern done before all sensors are on line and your readiness is good. If youre near YXX give me a PM and i could have a look with my scanner, and see if there is anything amiss!

[DoubleAIm]

Thanks for all the tips everyone, so far I have been driving around for a week and starting the X when ever I can when the car is complete cold and put some miles on her. I just realize I have the "I/M readiness" function on my creader vi and it said everything is OK or INC on two/three things(which is good??) and went back for the test. They plug in the OBD and it was rejected again so this time they said they will do it the old school way and put it on the dyno and measure the exhaust gases. Which came back FAIL(results of test link below, did know how to upload images) and pass 2 out of 3 items. The NOx was too high so now I don't really know what to do except to bring it into a shop. Did a little research about high NOx and it's mostly due to engine running lean/hot or bad cat/not up to temp. I'll try putting in octane fuel additives and change out the spark plugs and air filter and driving her hard on the highway before proceeding to test her again. Anyone have any other idea or parts I should look over before testing her again? Thanks in advance!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx8...it?usp=sharing

[RFaber]

High NOx is usually a cat in my experience, usually a plugged cat!! Or at least a restricted one? In my experience with aircare I always run the highest grade of premium and a spirited drive ( lots of near redline stuff!! Really burn away any deposits in the exhaust system) you initially mentioned a secondary air pump?? Anything further with that??
Best of luck!