I went in for my NC emissions test today and the service person told me that the Catalyst and the O2 sensor was not giving a reading. He asked if the battery had recently went dead or been replaced. I told him "no". He then asked if I had any work done to the truck. I told him the dealer had just installed a driver side seat module a couple of weeks ago. I have since taken the truck on a 300 mile trip to TN and back. The service guy said I need to drive it around a while before the sensors can get a reading? Is this true?

This truck only has 23K miles on it and I only drive it once in a while. Is this my problem or could it be something else? The mechanicals are all stock. I can't believe I have to drive my truck 100 miles right before I get it inspected...

Anyone else had this issue?

 

take it back to the dealer make them earn their money

 

They may have unhooked the battery when they did the service work.

Used to be that you had to do about 40 miles and at least 4 drive cycles to get the ODB2 code for battery reset to go away. Seems like 300 should have been plenty, assuming you have started/stopped the truck several times.

 

you probably have a bad sensor the O2 starts reporting as soon as the engine goes to closed loop. maybe 10 minutes at most on a cold day faster on a warm one.

 

I did read the owner's manual and did the truck test for emissions issues and the light on the dash does blink indicating an issue with emissions.

I went to the dealer today as they have Saturday service but they could not work me in. I guess I'll have to book an appointment since it's under warranty.

Is this O2 sensor easy to replace? If I can get one at the local Carquest and just pop it in, it would be worth a few bucks to do myself and not have to tie up time at the dealer....

 

Better off letting the dealer do it for free. If your replacement O2 sensor craps out then you'll be replacing that on your own dime too.

Looks like there are 4? o2 sensors - 2 upstream and 2 downstream about $50 each at Oreilly

 

It doen't take any 300 miles for pcm relearn.

 

Update: Went to dealer (Egolf Dodge in Hendersonville NC) and they kept my truck for about 3 hours and determined that I needed a TSB update. I don't have the ticket in front of me, but it's the one that makes the "fuel saver" light come on. I noticed it immediately. I've had this truck over a year and always wondered why I did not have the indicator that everyone else talked about. At any rate It seems to be running much better. I even noticed an increase in MPG already and I'm running a level kit with 305 55 20 tires. Was getting 13.5 around town. The EVIC reported 15.5 when I got home. It was about a 10 mile drive......

It still did not pass emissions test but the dealer said I have to drive it about 50 miles for the o2 sensors and what not to start reporting. Leaving for Hilton Head tomorrow, hopefully it'll pass inspection upon my return. Will report back soon.

 

Let us know. Sounds dubious.