Check engine light and CA smog

[redbull_addict]

Well...another problem with my '95 4.0

I purchased the car last week. Test drove it and found no issues, aside from the front turn signal not working. I drove it home for 3 hours and after filling up on fuel the check engine light came on. No biggy I thought...I try registering the car (California) and AAA tells me I need to smog it even though it was smogged back in October of 2004. So now I knew that I would have a problem since a check engine light is an automatic failure.

I rush out and buy a OBDII reader and hook it up. Sure enough, 3 fault codes. Manufacturer Ignition system, misfire cyl 3, misfire general. I clear all three and the light goes out. I drive around and nothing changes. I then head down to my local AAA smog station. They run the test and it passes emissions, but fails the test due to computer not performing some test (not clear which one) and the check engine light came back on.

I got home and plugged in the reader and sure enough the ignition system error code comes up. I clear it a second time and after about 10 miles, the check engine light comes up.

I'm still trying to get my head around this and figure out whether this is a single issue going on, or a combination of things. It seems that one of the tests is with the fuel cap...Interestingly, my fault occured while playing with the cap. So I inspect my fuel cap and the thing comes apart in pieces in my hand?!? apparently its made of about 5 or 6 pieces.

So what is going on here?? yesterday I posted a problem with my right turn signal and foglamp not working. It seemed that the BeCM might be the culprit...now this....

sorry for the LONG story, but I wanted to give plenty of details and order since it might make the difference in diagnosing the problem.

So does anyone have any insight into what might be causing this and what I should check into first?

Thanks,
Tom

[Serg]

I've never heard of a "check engine" light being an automatic failure in CA.. Yeah the gas cap test is a real pisser. If you pass all the tests and then your gas cap fails the pressure test, you fail the whole thing. Real lame...


Serg

[1st rover]

hi this is nikunj and my first post .
baught my rangie about a month back and had to smog it. The check engine light came on....she was misfireing but do not remember which cylinder.
cleared the codes...
passed all the tests but found out that the timing had advanced so she failed the smog.
got the timing back and she just cleared it with no probs at all.
hope this may help.

[Serg]

Welcome 1st Rover...

I met this guy in the Santana Row Best Buy parking lot this weekend.. glad to see you found us! Enjoy!

Get that rear left spring checked. It was sagging.. also one of your back up lights, I think the left one, was out.


Serg

[1st rover]

ill check the lights first thing in the morning. about the spring i dont know where to start from,any suggestions?

[1st rover]

well changed the reverse light bulb it was all black..
works fine now.
thanks serg

[glenncof]

I have a 1991 RR but my 1997 Tahoe "check engine" goes on when the gas cap is loose. Resets (off) after three "drive cycles", yes there is a spec to drive cycles.

Yea, Serg. I'm near you in Los Altos. They won't let you get by with the light on. The guys I use make you turn engine off and check that the light functions just in case you decide to remove it.