Cayman S Fails NJ Inspection ????

Being a new model for Porsche not many Caymans have had to undergo their state motor vehicle inspections yet. New cars are usually exempt for 2-4 years. Not so in my case. I recently purchased a 2006 Cayman S from out of state and had it delivered to where I live in New Jersey, the car had 2,500 miles when delivered, practically brand new. When registering any car in NJ the state requires a motor vehicle inspection, even though the car is only one year old because it came from another state an inspection is required. The car FAILED for emissions - now here is the problem. It appears that the states emission ( OBD ) systems are having problems reading all the codes on the cars computer, so they failed me. I then took the car to my Porsche dealer and had them look into the problem, well it appears that they are having the same problem. They tested two other Caymans and the same problem exists on these cars too. Yes they can clear any codes, and can confirm that everything is running properly but they cannot get all the emission readings necessary for it to pass inspection. They have contacted Porsche directly and are researching the problem. Porsche said that there appears to be a software glitch somewhere in these cars computers. Can anyone else shed some light on this matter, anyone else have this problem ? For anyone else living in a state where state inspections are required, when that new car inspection sticker expires there might be problems. At this point I am waiting to here from the dealer regarding a solution.

Wow that is a new one. I'm sure Porsche will sort it out soon but keep us informed. Welcome by the way.

K-Man S reported a computer read problem when they diagnosed his car to determine breaking redline frequency. I know that that isn't the same issue, but could it at all be related?? Also, when it comes time for emissions outside of warranty, then what??

Trade over to a GT2 or Cayman RSR? LOL! Whew... long day over here. I needed to crack myself up. Thanks, fmarshall! Snaxster

That's a weird problem. My previous E46 M3 had to undergo a recall service to fix this exact problem a few months ago. http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2181445

Warranty I beleive all emissions warranties go to 100,000 miles and the emssions system includes ECUs. Make 'em fix it.

The car FAILED for emissions - now here is the problem. It appears that the states emission (OBD) systems are having problems reading all the codes on the cars computer Wouldn't the most expedient course of action have been to have the Inspection Station take an exhaust reading of your emissions as they do for older cars? Just because there's a glitch in your OBD system does not mean that your car is in violation of the emissions standards. Of course at your convenience you could always have Porsche address the software issue, but in the mean time you would have been in compliance with the test and not have to take your car back for a second test.

Sounds sensible, but past a certain year providing a readable OBD system is an emission requirement; so yes, having an unreadable OBD is a violation of the emission standards. Also, keep in mind that the testers you are dealing with have no real authority to make any judgment calls. They simply follow a procedure and record the results. This is a Porsche problem. They need to fix it. Go to your dealer and insist that they fix it, and fix it NOW. Can you continue to drive the car? For how long? When will you be required to stop driving it? This could be a real PITA for Porsche. But they have no one to blame but themselves.

There's your problem. I was stationed in NJ for over two years and in all my travels, I have never seen a state bleed you dry for taxes, inspections and stupid laws aimed at generating revenue. Fortunately I was exempt from most of the bafoonery as I was in the military and could choose where to register my vehicle...certainly NOT in the state of NJ.

Just an observation of how Texas works....when you get your car new from the dealer, it will have been inspected for safety/emissions with an initial two year sticker. Most dealers are state inspection centers so at least in theory they really did hook up your car and it passed. Once a year after the first two year period you can take it to any certified center to renew it, there are lots of options. My 2001 Audi TT was the first car I had that they just plugged into the computer rather than hook up to the tailpipe. It's much quicker and easier that way, older cars here now even have to run on a treadmill for about 20 mins to do the test. And yes federal law requires warranty on all emissions related parts and systems for 100K miles.

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No state inspection in California other than bi-annual smog. If your car can get to a roadway, it can be there.

wow I thought maryland was strict. Our emissions is 2 years after registration.

True, and all they do is check the OBD port for thrown codes. However, ... if you buy a used car or bring a car into the state, the state inspection is a nightmare And the cars always fail (usually). I think its a scam

well, i'll find out how it works in pa tomorrow. i'm scheduled for a state inspection/emissions test. to be safe, i made the appointment with my dealer just in case there's any problems with the obd codes..... i'll update you tomorrow.

well, the good news is, no problems whatsoever with the emissions test performed at the dealer. i asked the service manager if they'd done any prior cayman emission inspections, and he said most definitely. they haven't had a problem. the bad news, they scratched my car during their "complimentary" wash!! (details in another thread.... http://www.planet-9.com/showthread.php?p=114886#post114886 )

For the record, North Carolina requires not only emissions testing every year for the life of the car, but also diagnostics test ( OBD ) test. You are subject to a $50 fine if your car is not tested each year for the emissions, AND you are subject to a $250 fine each year for not performing the OBD . The $50 fine is not that big of a deal since its never usually caught unless you are pulled for another violation. The OBD is another story altogether. The state has set up a system that issues automatic penalties if your car does not get the OBD test. Fortuantely, it allows a significant grace period fo several months. I just got my car and have not registered it as of yet. I will let you know if it passes.

It is possible that this is a function of the the OBD -II system not having its "readiness" codes being set. This issue is covered in some depth in The PCA's Tech Section for 911 (1995-2005)by Joel Reiser. If you are not a PCA member yet, this is another good reason to join.

Well after waiting 4 weeks for an answer why the OBD reader would not give a reading Porsche has an answer. It appears that when I brought my car to the inspection station and they could not get a proper reading they sent me off to my local dealership to have the problem corrected. The dealer then pluged his OBD reader into the port under the dash and said everything was working and "by the way I cleared any codes you might have had". Now thats where the problem was. It appears that when a dealer clears any codes the on board computer has to "re-learn" all the systems. This takes approx. 200 miles for the re-learn. So immediately after I left the dealer and went back to the inspection station they failed the car again because they still couldn't get a reading. Porsche told me to put on some miles and have it re-inspected and everything should be back to normal.

Glad to hear it was as simple as that. This is exactly as covered above. The "flags" (readiness codes) hadn't had enough engine cycles to be set.

Good deal. Thanks for the update.

WOW. mrocket, I am also from NJ and this post is very valuable to me. I also bought from out of state, so I was wondering if/when I would have to have a NJ inspection. As you said, for a new car, typically we don't need an inspection. But if when I get my NJ registration and plates they ask me to go get it inspected I will now be prepared. Thank you very much for posting this topic. What town's inspection station did you go to?

I'm glad things worked out and it was a simple solution. Nothing to fix, just get in and put on some miles. For those in central Jersey, stay away from the Lakewood inspection station on Rt.70. If they had plugged the OBD reader in correctly the first time all of this could have been avoided. (they couldn't get the plug in correctly so they failed me and told me to go to the dealer to have it fixed). BTW the dealer was great to work with and Porsche addressed the situation promptly.

mrocket- I sure would like to know if in fact Porsche 's last reccomendation turned out to be fact. Would you let us know if you pass inspection please. Also to the gang- if I went to a dealer to have them clear my error codes, if any, there would not be a service charge for something like that would there?

hey mrocket- I finally went to the NJ inspection station today to get my inspection sticker. So funny, they just handed me a sticker. No inspection at all. I know its a new car, but I guess I expected them to bust my balls just a little. How'd you make out?

I don't think so. What dealer did you get your car from? If you are in north Jersey, go over to Paul Miller's and talk to Norman. He'll make sure everything is taken care of.

Perhaps, but at least New Jersey never engaged in taking up arms against the United States. Just kidding. I just had to come to the defense of my state. I certainly agree with you on the taxes issue. If I could not pay property taxes (~20K a year) over a three-year period, I could buy another CS!

I just had the same problem. I bought an 07 Cayman S a few weeks ago and I got failed by the Lakewood inspection station. They didn't seem to know what they were doing at all. I'm taking it to the dealer to check it out because I'm under warranty and hopefully I could resolve this and get my new sticker. It hurts me to see my Cayman with a rejected sticker. It's way too good to be rejected!! Stupid inspection station....

That is the State inspection. Part of Smog Check II is a visual inspection. Any CEL is an automatic failure. Any modifications to the stock intake, exhaust , ECU without a CARB exemption sticker...failure. Now, as a practical matter, the shop would have to recognize that there was a modification. I asked the guy who does our cars in anticipation of doing at least an after market exhaust, and he said, " I am not a cop and I don't care. As long as she passes emissions..." I would be concerned about a Turbo set up with any pipes or tubes in bright colors. When I had an E36 M3 with a supercharger, I had one shop fail me despite the fact that I had a Dinan exemption sticker from CARB . He wouldn't even test the emissions.

Just noting: CEL and Readiness Codes are not the same thing. CEL may not be on, but the readiness code may not be set yet. One think I know is thour our ECUs adapt and then remember the setting. For example, your car may run lean, and the ECU will remember the continually add 5% more fuel. You can actually look up these values. if your ECU is adding 10% or more, you will get a CEL. But anyhting within the +/-10% range is normal. Readiness code is set after the ECU has learned how to adapt to the limits. Tomasz

I purchased my car in June 08 from out of state. My son and I had an enjoyable drive back home with it. An 07 CS with ~7000 miles. Upon registering in NJ, had to bring it in for inspection, which it passed with flying colors. Brought into Freehold.

How much are the NC inspections? I have my 08S Boxster registered in Georgia right now but may change to NC soon (I have a house in Cashiers). mike

Yep, down here in Florida we ain't got no emissions inspection. I shore feel sorry for y'all yankees up nawth. Leaves us more money to spend on beer an' smokes.

... and more nasty stuff in your lungs... brad

Pretty much the same deal for me. I bought an 07 Cayman S with 7400 miles but it failed at the Lakewood inspection station as I noted in my first post. They couldn't get an OBD reading, but it turns out that they just didn't plug into the OBD properly somehow and that is why they didn't get a reading. I used a pocket OBD II reader and got a reading at home. I took it back to the inspection station, told them I checked the problem, and they re-inspected it and it passed. What idiots we have working at the Lakewood inspection station. The guy who started this thread had the same exact thing happen to him as well at the SAME station which is why I ended up finding this thread in the first place. It is not very hard to plug in a connector properly. No issues at all on the OBD , 0 codes. The car runs perfectly and I just got it over 8k miles recently. Now I can enjoy my Cayman S w/o worrying about getting my inspection sticker.