failing Massachusetts emissions inspection due to P1449 code

[jaystock]

Hello,


My 2000 Insight is throwing a P1449 and the IMA light is on. Since I drive so little, I would like to just use it without the IMA. However, in Massachusetts, you automatically fail emissions inspection if the check engine light is on. And the emissions inspection website says you can not get an emissions waiver for hybrid battery error codes. This makes no sense to me, since the car's emissions are still ultra-low and its mileage is still excellent. But be that as it may, the car will flunk emissions inspection next month and I will be forced to sell it if I can't weasel my way through inspection somehow. Given the car's age and mileage (136K), I don't want to invest in a new or rehabilitated battery pack.

My question is -- has anyone dealt with this problem before? Has anyone failed a state emissions inspection due to IMA error code P1449?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated! Many thanks.


-- Jason

[02insight]

if you reset the light by disconnecting the battery. After how long does it come back? Because if it comes back on just long enough for you to drive the car enough to get the engine readiness systems set, then you can get it inspected. Usually it takes 2 or 3 trips and around 20 miles or so for the systems to say ready. btw. where are you located? maybe someone nearby can help

[jaystock]

Thank you for this suggestion. I think that would be a great way to sneak through inspection. I tried turning off the Frankenstein battery switch in the back, and turning it back on, but the check engine and IMA lights returned immediately. Did you mean to disconnect the batteries in a different way?

[jaystock]

I live in Cambridge, Mass., so I'd definitely like to meet any other forum members who are in the local area. I've seen some old-school Insights around town, but never met their owners. My number is 315-450-3309 and my email is bauhaus2@gmail.com

[02insight]

under the hood, there is a fuse box on the right side. In that fuse box, you will see a red square fuse, its slightly taller than the rest. Pull it out for about 30 seconds. This will reset everything in the car, its the same as disconnecting the battery.

After you put the fuse back in, the CEL and IMA lights should be off. But now the emissions readiness codes are also reset, so you will have to drive the car around and do some city and highway driving. You will know that all the emissions codes are set, when you turn the key just to on without starting the car, the CEL will come on and just go off after a few seconds. But if it blinks then goes off, then it is not ready for emissions testing

Its kinda hard to explain, so I hope my description makes sense.

But if the IMA and CEL lights come back on right away after a reset, this trick might not work.

You can also try getting a simple grid charger (around $200) to see if it can help your battery enough so it wont throw that code anymore.


(Fuse #16 below)

[jaystock]

Thank you, 02insight. I'll give the fuse a try tonight and let you know how it goes. I appreciate the tip.

[02insight]

since yours is a 2000 model, according to Massachusetts vehicle check website:

"2000 and older model year vehicles may have a maximum of two (2) “not ready” non-continuous monitors."

The car has the following non-continuous monitors:

Catalyst
Evaporative System
O2 Sensors
O2 Sensor Heater
EGR

[bibendum]

ooof, yeah quoting rules at the emissions folks will only piss them off.
they will state the Check Engine Light is on; it fails.

there is another step to add....
if the only code is P1449 the CEL will come on. (ok in my car anyway)

If the battery will hold a charge for a few hours,
you can pass the emissions test.
after you pull fuse, let the car decide the state of charge.
mine takes about three minutes and claims to charge the battery.
pull the fuse again and let it charge again.
I have to repeat this three times.
the code stays dormant for about 6 months with my battery.

also charge up the 12 volt battery.
that way the car will not have to use power from the pack.

luck.
victor

[Crawlerado]

I'm surprised they even test Hybrids there. Here in Colorado we have some fairly strict e-tests and Hybrids are all exempt. Good luck!

[jaystock]

Thank you everyone who has posted for sharing your experience with this and similar problems. I agree it's strange that Massachusetts tests emissions on a hybrid car... the irony of failing the emissions test is that I may be forced to sell my insight, against my will, and buy a much less efficient car, since I can't afford another Insight right now.

I tried the fuse trick suggested by 02insight in this thread. The car did indeed reset the IMA and check engine lights, but when I went to have the car inspected, it failed because the car's emissions system wasn't ready and the inspector said I would need to drive the car and log some miles before it was ready for a retest. Unfortunately about 30 miles later my IMA and check engine lights popped back up, presumably due to the P1449 code.

I wasn't aware the battery pack could benefit from being directly charged. Maybe I should look into this.

I called the Massachusetts RMV (DMV) and they said my car wasn't eligible for a waiver. I could write a letter appealing their policy, but by the time I hear back, my inspection will have expired.

Thanks again to everyone who has shared "insight" on this problem. I'm going to keep tinkering and try to pass this stupid inspection... for the time being I will take the car and get a repair quote, which will obviously exceed the $900 needed to qualify for an economic hardship one-year extension of your current emissions sticker, which will at least buy me some time.

-- Jason