Unfortunately that trick doesn't work anymore if they're following the OBD-II Diagnostic protocol. Once the CEL is reset, all the sensor systems have to go through a self-check and be in a "ready" state. It usually takes somewhere between 25-100 miles for all the systems to go to "ready" after a reset now.KD5NRH wrote:About $13 on Amazon for a Bluetooth reader and $5 for the app that tells you what the most likely cause is.nightmare69 wrote:I know how costly it can be when they check engine light comes on.
Reset it as you pull in for the inspection, and hope they get done before the light comes back on.
I used to do the reset in the driveway trick too with some older cars...
On a brighter note, I've bought several drivable cars for under $2k that needed nothing more than a cheap catalytic converter and a set of plugs to clear up the emissions for a year or two...drive 'em for a year, sell 'em for what you paid (or more) and pocket the difference between liability only insurance and full coverage on a car you'd actually fix. Dropping the inspections would cure Craigslist of super cheap cars with check engine lights.
I'd still go for it though. Folks who will maintain cars will do it regardless of inspections requirements. Folks who won't fix their cars are finding "friendly" inspectors anyway...
