failed inspection

[PorscheRB]

I bought my car in December and it was already 3 months overdue on inspection, the sticker having run out in September... I drove it anyway and got away with it until getting pulled over last week for it... anyway while I was pulled over I got a friendly 'beep beep' from a baby blue '90 cabrio.
The inspection station rejected me for these:

One headlight out (but it turns on when you wiggle the turn signal switch)

One liscense plate bulb out

Brake lights: one comes on and the other turns off when you press the brakes

Engine smoking visibly so they didnt even bother with the emissions test



Is it worth it to fix it or just pay the crooked guy $100 to give me a clean sticker? I can do the work myself but I'm on a tight parts budget, I know the headlight switch is expensive but can anyone give me an idea about the other stuff?

101 projects came in the mail yesterday, it's BANGIN thanks for tellin me to buy it dudes.

Ian

[masraum]

Uh, sounds like stuff you might want to get fixed. It seems that having the lights work correctly is kind of important, and it might be nice to know why it's smoking.

[Jamie79SC]

The headlight switch is less than your crooked inspection sticker. Having brake lights that work properly is worth MUCH more than the cost of fixing them - have you ever been in a rear-end accident??

Seems like a no brainer to me...

[SilverPoly]

Fix those lights man other drivers will not only thank you, they'll be able to SEE you. Then look into the engine smoking.

[juanbenae]

where will a 100 bucks get you passed? the bada bing? ( crooked/mob saprano reference) here in california they dont check all the other stuff you metioned. but, the smog stuff has gotten so involved and costly for the stations and the tech guys, they wont play around with running you through for a measly 100 bucks.

sounds like if you drove it for that long without addressing it you maybe in over your head $$$ wise on this car. do like my pop's used to say "park it till you can afford it"

[scottb]

Originally posted by PorscheRB
Is it worth it to fix it or just pay the crooked guy $100 to give me a clean sticker? I can do the work myself but I'm on a tight parts budget.

Safety is priceless, and the items you're mentioning (except the smoking) are all safety-related. Fix 'em yourself, or get 'em fixed, but don't take chances.

What's the story on the smoke? Was the enging warmed up completely?

[adamred]

Hey man-
I failed my first NJ inspection as well, for emissions, licence plate light and something else can't remember. Anyway get them all fixed, and then pay the $75. My wrench in Chatham (********) cautioned me never to take it to the free place they always will find something to fail you for. Plus if you use my guy, he'll fiddle with the mixture to get it to pass then will ahem..cough, cough re adjust it for you for real driving. The smoke won't kill you but the contents of the smoke will definitely fail....PM me and I'll give you my guys info...

[RickM]

Originally posted by k911sc
... here in california they dont check all the other stuff you metioned. but, the smog stuff has gotten so involved and costly for the stations and the tech guys, they wont play around with running you through for a measly 100 bucks.

They don't check the lights during inspection in CA? Wow.

Here in NJ the emmisions test is pretty thorough as well. The car is measure while running on a dyno at different load levels.

I have to agree with everyone here, don't drive if it's unsafe. Other than the smoking issue it sounds relatively easy to take care of.

[adamred]

Oh and I just noticed that yours is a 74 with carbs, definitely, definitely don't take it the NJ inspection station, there's pretty much no way it will pass, have a P-car mechanic take it to a pay place....

[jdowty3]

Did you get a ticket for the overdue inspection?
The license plate light is easy, either replace the bulb or the entire holder. They're not $$ from our host. I replaced one and the bulb was good but one of the connectors was broken. Get the brake lights fixed ASAP before someone smacks you from behind while trying to answer their cell phone, change a CD, and touch up their lipstick (not that I've ever been rearended 3 times by female driven SUV's). Seems like someone on the list has repaired their turn signal switch by cleaning and tweaking the contacts. Maybe the MSucro relay kit would help. Take the car to a good P shop and have them put it on a gas analyzer. Could be as simple as tune-up (plugs, cap, rotor, adjust valves, set timing and mixture). Maybe another lister can assist with the valve adjustment to keep your costs down. Sounds like Adam has the right idea.

[mikester]

I'm trying to get mine through a CA inspection today. Failed this morning for timing and some emissions.

Mechanic is hopefully working it through to get it passed.

I hope, I hope, I hope.

Good luck.

[sundaypunch]

You could just move to Michigan. No inspections and no emissions tests. Provided your headlights work and you have glass in most of the window openings you can drive whatever you want

[jdowty3]

I'm headed that within the next 2 years. Not to the UP but to Hell (20 miles west of Ann Arbor). Go Blue!! I look forward to no more yearly inspections, especially since I replaced my cat with a test pipe.