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2011 Camaro SS - 6 speed

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JSB1022

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello All,

I am pulling my hair out with getting 4 readiness flags to turn green so I can pass emissions. This started with a check engine light which was caused by a bad coil and an 02 sensor. These items have been fixed, and check engine light is gone. I have been driving this car around town and on i95 daily for 7 days and 310 miles since the dealer cleared the ce light. The car also sits 17+ hours between cold starts. I even went to center city Philadelphia today to get some "stop and go" traffic in. The tech at the dealer printed for me instructions on the drive cycle..(which are different than what I have come across on the internet forums). The dealer document does not mention cranking up the AC and defrost at idle. I have 3 green/ready (Misfire, Fuel, CCM). And I have 4 not ready (Catalyst, Evap, 02S, HTR - I am aware these 4 take longer to go green). But Im surprised after driving 310 miles and 6 cold starts that none of the 4 are ready for emissions testing. Has anyone gone through/struggled with the I/M readiness procedure but finally resolved these flags?
 
#2 ·
I'm not sure about the newer models but usually they clear after about 50 miles, at least for me in the past.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
The issue is its not ready for I/M readiness, which I didn't know until it through out a new code yesterday..P0174. The BCM has a couple codes as well, but dealership says BCM is not related to passing emissions.
 
#4 ·
I do not know any specifics about newer GM vehicles but have tracked down some emission problems on 2000-2012 Honda, Toyota and Subarus.

Sometimes a particular emission self check routine will not execute until other routines are complete and perhaps having other test pass.

P0174 is "System Too Lean". An EVAP issue,O2 Sensor, Injector (as well as many other issues) could cause the computer to declare a lean condition. This could perhaps be inhibiting the completion of other routines. You have to check your service data for any dependencies, drive cycle criteria, emission system descriptions and diagnostic procedures. I use AllData DIY for my newer cars for service data. There are different subscription levels to AllData.

Some drive cycle criteria criteria are extremely specific so follow them carefully. I had a 2002 Toyota that drove me nuts trying to get the Catylist Efficiency test to complete. I finally repeated the drive cycle a few times following the specific criteria and got the tests to complete and pass. Other manufacturer routines seem to be much simpler.

Are all the same subsystems still "Not Ready" after it threw the P0174 code? Are there any "Pending Codes"? Pending codes do not turn on CEL but could indicate something going flakey.

Was the O2 Sensor replaced with an OEM or OEM equivalent? Some vehicles are very picky about what sensors are used and could confuse the computer.
 
Discussion starter · #5 · (Edited)
The P0174 code popped up at about 480 miles of driving it for the IM Reafiness testing.. after clearing the misfire code and another code. I dont have the 2 codes the dealer fixed for me but I know this P0174 I have not seen before till now. I have my own OBDII reader, it is and Innova 5610 and I have the latest reading as a pdf file on my phone. The P0174 is in pending state. The car also has a BCM code. It says the BCM is shorted. The dealer says BCM has nothing to do with passing emissions or safety inspection. I know the vehicle is not ready for the readiness test while this P0174 is pending. Ill try to upload a copy of the file. I appreciate your reply. Right now the car is with a local mechanic around the corner from my house, and they know I dont want any aftermarket sensors or parts installed. I may just take it back to the dealership to ensure it gets OEM parts.

Edit - I uploaded the 4 images of the OBDII ...
 

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#6 ·
This will require a deeper dive to determine root cause. Would need to look at live data Fuel Trims, O2 Sensor readings etc. as well as perform vacuum leak tests. Sounds like you have your local mechanic looking at it and/or the dealer. They should be performing these diagnostics. Probably beyond the scope of this forum.

BCM is Body Control Module. I thinks some cars have the Control Network hub through this module so it could affect communications between modules. But I do not think it affects the emission and engine operations directly. Maybe ignition key security and things like that.

If you want to dig in yourself I recommend looking at some You Tube videos on diagnosing P0174 Lean conditions.

Let us know how you make out.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
I have read that if there is a code in a Pending State that the vehicle is not ready for the I/M readiness. But my local mechanic says that is not true..that I just need to keep driving it. Which one is right?
 
#8 ·
Not saying someone here can't help you out, but you might want to post over at LS1tech.
I would think if you have codes pending especially this P0174, you should get that figured out. Once it sets you won't pass anyway.
Couple years ago I struggled with getting my monitors set in my 05 Silverado. Friend said it should only take a run up the freeway, and it took over a weeks worth of driving.
In my experience most dealership techs are only knowledgeable about cars made in the last 10 years if you're lucky. Your 2011, though newer than anything I own, is outdated to them.
 
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#10 ·
JSB1022 said:
I have read that if there is a code in a Pending State that the vehicle is not ready for the I/M readiness. But my local mechanic says that is not true..that I just need to keep driving it. Which one is right?
Click to expand...
It depends if it is a real fault or not. Pending codes are set if the computer detects abnormal behavior. It needs to detect it over multiple drive cycles (depends on specific vehicle and Diagnostic Trouble Code - DTC criteria ) before it sets a permanent code and sets the CEL. If the fault is a transient and stays clear long enough then yes the code will clear. It could take many drive cycles to clear itself (again, depends on specific criteria for the DTC and the vehicle).

Analyzing live data should allow technician to determine if something is truly wrong. In this case I would start with Fuel Trims and see if a lean condition still exists. There is a reason those other DTCs readiness tests did not complete.

You could clear the codes and start over and see if the P017 comes back or not. But doing this will restart the readiness tests.
 
#11 ·
JSB1022 said:
It does have headers and aftermarket exhaust. I wonder if passing emissions just wont happen.
Click to expand...
Are the headers and exhaust system Federal and California compliant for your vehicle? Stock catalytic convertors?

If so, then should be able to pass emissions. If not then who knows.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
rs_man said:
This will require a deeper dive to determine root cause. Would need to look at live data Fuel Trims, O2 Sensor readings etc. as well as perform vacuum leak tests. Sounds like you have your local mechanic looking at it and/or the dealer. They should be performing these diagnostics. Probably beyond the scope of this forum.

BCM is Body Control Module. I thinks some cars have the Control Network hub through this module so it could affect communications between modules. But I do not think it affects the emission and engine operations directly. Maybe ignition key security and things like that.

If you want to dig in yourself I recommend looking at some You Tube videos on diagnosing P0174 Lean conditions.

Let us know how you make out.
Click to expand...
I really do not have the tools to dig into it. And it seems like these 2 shops I took it to, just shut the hood after looking at it and dont analyze live data. I have an Innova 5610 which is bidirectional and capable of reading live data. But that is the extent of what I have. What I need is a mechanic that will take time to diagnose this proper.
 
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JSB1022
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