I am trying to troubleshoot why my car wont pass emissions (im not very car savy)

I passed at idle
but under a load my

HC=4.7 C02=12.67

which is outrageous

any suggestions? please....

 

Well aside from doing the basics, I am not sure us telling you what do to is going to help much. To have THAT high of hydrocarbons something is deffinently wrong... I know in NWI the limits for most 4 cylinders are around 0.80 and vehicles pass that.

We need a LOT more information to even begin helping you:

Any recent work/modifications?
Does it burn oil?
Does it smoke at all?
Really any pertinent information that may be helpful to us helping you...

 

Is the a CAT on the vehicle or any CEL lights? What state are you trying to pass in?

 

I put a new cat converter, 02 sensor, starter, and main relay in recently I also put a short ram intake. Idk if its burning oil and no there is no smoke, but even after replacing the 02 sensor I still get code 12 on the computer. Iam trying to pass in Tucson, AZ btw.... Please help....

 

Some states have "waivers" not all inspection stations are licensed to do waivers, so they don't all suggest it. Pretty much you put X amount of money into your car fixing anything emissions related (plugs wires, O2 sensor, Cat, etc) and they will automatically pass you for an additional fee. Look into if you state has something similar.

Also exemptions are available. Pretty much, if it is under a certain mileage since the last inspection, it passes.

 

Looks like AZ waivers are a bit different. http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/vei/fail.html

Whenever I did emissions on older cars. We let them heat up, and get the exhaust really hot. Then test them. A cold car fails a lot more than a hot one. Maybe just try that.

 

Why would any of that help a code 12? You should have stated that before... Here is some stuff to get you started...

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=192450

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-crx-ef-civic-1988-1991-3/ecu-codes-code-explanation-1558301/

 

i meant code 15 not 12 sorry

 

You vehicle is running in limp mode...

You can try replacing the Igniter (Ignition Conrol Module = ICM) or the whole distributor as sometimes it can be an internal sensor. This code can also be caused by wiring or even the ECU. Your best bet is to start with the cheapest option of either another distributor or Igniter.

 

I just checked the light on my ECU and its not code 15 or 12....its code 1 sorry for the mix up I have had a long weekend but it is definitely code 1 and i really really need to get my car to pass emissions please any suggestions will be amazing to me....I read somewhere that if I replace the head gasket, water pump, and timing belt that my car should pass...true or false?

 

What?!? NO, not unless something is wrong with those parts listed to begin with. Code 1 is the O2 sensor... It's cheap enough to just change it. Reset the code and if it comes back then troubleshoot it. Only bad part is those hydrocarbons are pretty far off to be just an O2 sensor - then again you never know.

 

It won't. You don't have to fix your CEL in order to pass emissions in most states if your pre 96.

 

I am well aware of that, but if he has a code AND isn't passing emissions (especially since practically all codes are directly connected to failing emissions), why wouldn't he want to fix it? It certainly isn't going to help him pass emissions easier. Most states just make you sign a consent form anytime ANY light is on in the gauge cluster. This just covers their own to be sure you agree they didn't do anything to make the light come on and you drove in with it that way.

If something has to do directly with hydrocarbons - like the O2 for instance - I am pretty sure it would be wise to fix it.

 

I do not have a CEL on my dash but my ECU is throwing code 1 which is 02 sensor which I just replaced with the top of the line model, but I am still getting the code on my ECU so I thought that maybe my Cat Converter was so dirty that it was causing the sensor to misread so I replaced my cat converter w/ a direct replacement not a High flow one which I am kind of regretting now. also when I first start my car water spits out of the tailpipe and the exhaust smells like unburned gasoline for the first few minutes...please any suggestions on what to troubleshoot or what could be causing me to fail would be much appreciated I need to be able to drive my car and until I can pass emissions im unable to so please help......PLEASE