pass emission test with red triangle and no CEL light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Mareno Rathell, Jan 10, 2016.

  1. Mareno Rathell

    Mareno Rathell Junior Member

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    I own two Prius, the 2005 & 2007. Been driving and repairing both of them for years :)

    My 2007 has the red triangle for the "P" park won't engage issue. No issues at all just the dam message keeps popping up when I come to a stop and of course the constant red triangle. I drive it 60 miles everyday in the snow, rain and wind with this issue.

    Still researching the issue and one day I'm sure I will resolve it but until then I'm not worried. BTW its 100% not a battery issue, been down that road.

    My question is about the emission test. I don't and never had a CEL on or any codes although I do know there could be some deeper Toyota codes that I can't pull with a traditional OTC scanner. With that said, given that I don't have a CEL on, will the red triangle cause for me to fail the emission test when they run the test?

    Has anyone on here ever tried it? Trying to separate guesses from facts.

    I will take my Prius there on Monday to see what happens.
     
    #1 Mareno Rathell, Jan 10, 2016
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...what state?
    Have you tried clearing codes by 12v battery disconnect?
     
    #2 wjtracy, Jan 10, 2016
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    And even after the DTC has cleared, the car needs to be driven under several stop/start cycles at a variety of speeds and log some distance, perhaps 100 miles or more, before the engine ECU will indicate the car is ready for emissions testing. This is to prevent an owner from clearing the DTC, then immediately heading to the test station for emissions testing.

    The OP needs to research the emissions test regs in his state to see whether the inspector will allow a car to be passed when any DTC or warning lights exist even if they are not directly related to excess emissions production.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Jan 10, 2016
  4. goldarrow

    goldarrow Junior Member

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    I'm in Los Angeles area and just bought my 09 Prius with 193k miles few days ago and it comes with CEL. Took the car to get smog test and the guy told me right away that it won't pass the smog test.
     
    #4 goldarrow, Jan 10, 2016
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    OK I figured CA but did not want to assume. In VA we have a new drive thru system but so far Prius is exempt, but I think at some point we have to get emissions.
     
    #5 wjtracy, Jan 10, 2016
  6. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    The parking brake is considered safety equipment. There will be codes in the transmission control ECU that your typical scan tool doesn't read. I don't know about emissions test, but you will fail safety inspection.

    There are many posts related to "P lock mechanism is abnormal" message. Usually this turns out to be 12v battery related, but you say yours is good. Search for p lock posts by me and you'll find some alternative causes.
     
    #6 goldfinger, Jan 10, 2016
  7. Mareno Rathell

    Mareno Rathell Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone. Much appreciated for you comments.

    I'm in Wisconsin.

    We don't have safety inspections here in Wisconsin, only emissions. So you can drive in with no brakes, three tires, no headlights, cracked windshield and all airbags deployed and still pass.

    I already know if you have codes for the CEL you will not pass the emissions. But my question was in regards to the RED TRIANGLE. I was asking if the issues on a Prius that trigger the red triangle to come on would also cause for you to fail the emissions test..... not the safety inspection.

    I don't have, nor have I ever had a CEL on but I don't know if the CEL and Triangle are synonymous. Or are the codes from the RED TRIANGLE only for Toyota's Service Technicians but are fifth removed from the emissions test.
     
    #7 Mareno Rathell, Jan 10, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2016
  8. Mareno Rathell

    Mareno Rathell Junior Member

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    Thanks Goldfinger, I'll report back tomorrow after the emissions test with the definitive answer. :)
     
    #8 Mareno Rathell, Jan 10, 2016
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. The check engine light is an icon shaped like an engine. This certainly is distinct from the master warning red triangle.
    2. It is possible for the master warning red triangle to turn on when no diagnostic trouble codes are logged. For example, make the Prius READY and put the gear selector into D. Then open the driver's door and see what happens.
     
    #9 Patrick Wong, Jan 10, 2016
  10. Mareno Rathell

    Mareno Rathell Junior Member

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    :confused: I guess something in one of my post gave the impression I was a nub :)
     
    #10 Mareno Rathell, Jan 19, 2016
  11. Mareno Rathell

    Mareno Rathell Junior Member

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    I passed the Wisconsin emissions test today with the red triangle and no CEL light.

    I can definitively answer (at least in Wisconsin) that the red triangle will not cause you to pass the emissions test.
     
    #11 Mareno Rathell, Jan 19, 2016
  12. DRACO

    DRACO Member

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    Congrats, I guess now you should check what is causing the Red Triangle errors you have and try to correct them?
     
    #12 DRACO, Jan 19, 2016
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I found out Virginia does not flunk a vehicle if the TMPS light is on, which is good as you get to 10-yrs old the TPMS sensors fail
     
    #13 wjtracy, Jan 19, 2016
  14. Dion Kraft

    Dion Kraft Member

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    States have different regulations on a emissions test when and the CEL is on. Some states like CA say you must absolve all CEL issues for a smog test to continue. Some states check the CEL code and if not emissions related then the smog test commences. Even if you erase the CEL the drive monitors will be reset and not complete which gives you the P1000 code unless you drive the car in a VERY specific way to get the monitors to set and complete. Not all monitors must complete but a majority of them must have.
     
    #14 Dion Kraft, Jan 19, 2016
  15. Mareno Rathell

    Mareno Rathell Junior Member

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    The Red Triangle is a work in progress but for now I have yet to any negative feedback from it being on. the Prius drives and responds the exact same way with the red triangle as it did before. I'll put some more effort into it in the Spring.

    I will be dropping it off at the Toyota dealer to take care of the "Lights Out On The Dash" recall later this week. I have until March of this year to have it done under the 9 year extended warranty Toyota issued for this issue.
     
    #15 Mareno Rathell, Jan 19, 2016
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