Catalytic Converter Replacement – California Certified ( 50 State Legal )

Posted on October 31, 2018 by dewok

We are an official California licensed Smog Test & Repair Facility. Our technicians have the appropriate training and certifications to diagnose and repair your vehicle. When it comes to replacing your defective catalytic converter, it is paramount that the exact California approved converter is installed. Many installers do not understand the intricacies of the California Air Resource Board’s Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Program.

We install both aftermarket and OEM converters. Our aftermarket catalytic converters carry a 5 year / 50,000 mile warranty. If you would like a quote or catalytic converter advice, please feel free stop by or give us a call: (714) 596-1019. The JUST SMOGS team is here to help.

Toyota Camry Failed Smog : Not Ready : No Check Engine Light

Posted on January 4, 2017 by dewok

Our customer’s 1999 Toyota Camry CE 2.2L failed the biennial smog check inspection (category: OBD System Checks for being “Not Ready“). In most situations driving the vehicle for a week or two (streets & highway) will allow the vehicle to complete it’s self tests (readiness monitors) and become “Ready” so that it will pass the emission inspection.

Unfortunately, our customer drove almost 500 miles and still his Toyota was Not Ready for the following three monitors: Catalyst, Oxygen Sensor & Oxygen Sensor Heater.

He asked us to diagnose the problem. Although there was no check engine light illuminated, there as a pending diagnostic trouble code (DTC) stored in the vehicles computer: DTC P1155. P1155 is a manufacturer specific code relating to the Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor Heater Circuit.

Our technician diagnosed the air/fuel sensor and confirmed an open heater circuit. We replaced the a new Denso air/fuel sensor, cleared the fault code, and drove the vehicle.

In less than 20 miles of our drive cycle all three incomplete monitors (Catalyst, Oxygen Sensor & Oxygen Sensor Heater) became “Ready”. We re-tested the Camry and it passed.

Although in most “Not Ready” failed smog check situations, a vehicle can be driven to become “Ready” and pass a California smog inspection, repairs are sometimes necessary.

Check Engine Light: P0420 – Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1

Posted on August 1, 2016 by dewok

HELP, my check engine light is on because of a P0420 fault code.

The P0420 code means that the vehicle’s computer has detected that the three-way catalytic converter is not working properly (is not as efficient as the factory is expecting). This does not necessarily mean that you have to replace the catalytic converter to fix the problem. Replacing the oxygen (O2) sensors may sometimes fix the code because the vehicle’s computer interprets data from the oxygen sensors to determine if the catalytic converter is working properly.

If the catalytic converter is in fact defective, you must replace it with either a factory (OEM) converter or a California Air Resource Board (CARB) approved aftermarket converter. Be sure that the aftermarket converter is the correct part by confirming:

Year/Make/Model/Engine Size
Test Group Name or Engine Family Number *
Manufacturer Part Number
Executive Order Number
Converter Location

* Exception: Federally certified vehicles (Non-California) may not have a matching Test Group/Engine Family number listed on the Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database. So as long as all other criteria matches, the converter should be approved for the application.

If there are no options listed for your vehicle application on the Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database, an OEM converter is required.

Many mechanic & muffler shops mistakenly install incorrect converters. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us with any questions.

** This information is accurate as of July 2016. For the most up-to-date rules and regulations, please contact the California Air Resource Board.

Smog Check: Check Engine Light is on?

Posted on May 23, 2013 by dewok

Will my car pass a smog check with a CHECK ENGINE LIGHT on?

No, unfortunately your vehicle will fail a smog check if the check engine light is illuminated. The industry term is Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL).

The MIL is usually located somewhere on the dash. A proper functioning MIL illuminates when the vehicle is initially started. The MIL then “goes off” a few seconds later. If the MIL stays “on” the vehicle will fail the On Board Diagnostic (OBD) Functional portion of the smog inspection.

Why is the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON?

It’s a common misconception that an illuminated MIL indicates the need for an oil change or other routine service. An MIL is triggered when the vehicle’s computer finds a problem somewhere in the system. A “trouble code” is set and the MIL is illuminated to notify the driver. Common trouble codes are: faulty gas cap, oxygen sensor, catalytic efficiency, etc. In some way fault codes that illuminate the MIL are always emission related.