"Cat not Ready" smog test failure

[PCA7GGR]

My '04 GT3 failed its smog test today - another "Cat not ready" failure. Prior to taking the car in for the test, I swapped out the FabSpeed cold intake with the stock unit but it still has CarGraphic mufflers that didn't appear to be an issue with the smog tech.

Back in Sept 2016, I replaced the battery at 56,132mi. It now has an additional 600+miles (56,800mi) most quick freeway runs at an average speed of 70-75mph.

Per the smog techs suggestion, I drove the car about 30 miles with the cruise set at 60mph. But the "Cat no Ready" condition persists.

So... what the latest wisdom on getting this resolved? Has having the car idle for 20 miles work or is there another procedure that works. Thanks

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by PCA7GGR

My '04 GT3 failed its smog test today - another "Cat not ready" failure. Prior to taking the car in for the test, I swapped out the FabSpeed cold intake with the stock unit but it still has CarGraphic mufflers that didn't appear to be an issue with the smog tech.

Back in Sept 2016, I replaced the battery at 56,132mi. It now has an additional 600+miles (56,800mi) most quick freeway runs at an average speed of 70-75mph.

Per the smog techs suggestion, I drove the car about 30 miles with the cruise set at 60mph. But the "Cat no Ready" condition persists.

So... what the latest wisdom on getting this resolved? Has having the car idle for 20 miles work or is there another procedure that works. Thanks

The failure explaination is too vague, you need to have the car scanned for an I/M Readiness test and get the exact failure information. I have never seen a "cat not ready" I/M failure, normally cat failures have codes associated with them for "low conversion rates". Needs more information....

[FPB111]

The ready reset procedure has multiple start/stop/low speed drives. If you Google search you might find it.
https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/967184-smog-geeks-help-needed-obdii-monitors-not-ready.html

Mike, our cars are identical. I passed mine smog test in AZ 1 hour after resetting everything, roughly 25 miles after it. What I did was FOLLOW the drive cycle procedure to the T. This is what I did. I cruised at low speeds on 19th ave in Phoenix to get the timing. And timed myself with stopwatch. DO NOT EXCEED 60 MPH AT ALL COSTS!!!

Start engine, let idle for approx. 2 min, 10 secs.

Accelerate to 20-30 MPH, Maintain steady speed for approx 3 min, 15 secs.

Accelerate to 40-60 MPH, Maintain steady speed for approx 15 mins.

Decelerate and come to a stop. Then:

Idle in Neutral for 5 mins. (manual trans.)

Idle in Drive for 5 mins. (Tiptronic trans.)

During the drive cycle, do not exceed 3,000 rpm or 60 mph.

[Fabspeed Motorsport]

Sounds like you need to do a full drive cycle to reset the OBDII monitors

[yelcab1]

Really guys. Forget the drive cycle. I wasted 300 miles for nothing. I finally took it to a mechanic with a Porsche computer. They forced the monitor to be ready and pass the smog test. $125.

[PCA7GGR]

Ditto on "forget the drive cycles".

I landed up having to replacing the drivers side cat and an oxy sensor - KaChing!

A friend with an '06 CaymanS had to replace both cats. The CA smog rules strike again.

[matthewb0051]

I had a similar issue on my kid's Audi A4, pre cat warm up BS. I just used a O2 spacer to clear up that nonsense.

This sounds like same thing. The other option was getting the computer forced fix as mentioned.

[Alansglide]

Had the same problem with my 02 Carrera. Followed the drive cycle never exceeding 3k. That meant 59 mph on the freeway for 20 minutes with the air con on. Coasted off the freeway turned air con off , let it idle for 5 minutes.
All of this with half tank of gas or more as recommended.

Drove like a banshee back to the test station and passed with no problems.

[PCA7GGR]

Passed smog this year. Prior to the test I did the 60K service which included changing the plugs and coils. Heard that if the coils weren't firing correctly, that it could cause issues.

Was not looking forward to another nose bleed smog experience.