new State Inspection sticker - trouble with NC State DMV computer? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Russ · 18th December 2002, 15:09

Any other fellow North Carolina M5 Y2000 owners having trouble getting a new State Inspection for their car?

I've taken my car to 4 different places (including the dealership where I purchased the car) and each one has failed with a communications link failure to the OBD II computer! Apparently, just the past month or so, the NC State DMV has changed their inspection procedure for 1996 and up cars. They now mandate a self-diagnostic read-back from the OBD II computer system of the car to determine if the emissions are in-spec.

What I've been told is that the NC State DMV computers don't have the correct software in place at their end to support a Y2000 BMW M5! Apparently, newer vehicle models (Toyotas and Subarus were specifically mentioned) are sometimes not properly supported by the DMV computers.

To add insult to injury, I'm looking at a letter I received from the NC DMV threatening me with a $250.00 "civil penalty" if I don't get the new inspection sticker soon, or take the car off the road!

I have only until 12/31/2002 to get this resolved.

I think the problem may only be with Y2000 M5 models... How 'bout you '01/'02 guys? Any trouble getting a new NC Inspection?

Russ

CM5GO · 18th December 2002, 16:49

Call Leith BMW at 876-5432 and ask for Matt Moody. He is very familiar with our cars and will treat you right. Let him know Chris Zoubek told you to call.

Russ · 18th December 2002, 18:50

Well Chris... I was at Leith just yesterday to get the car inspected and I got the same error code! And, as a matter of fact, I actually did speak to Matt while I was there... He told me my best bet is to take it up to a Firestone tire center up on Six Forks Road and try to get it inspected there... The premise here is that that particular Firestone (NC Inspection Station) hasn't upgraded their emissions test system yet and that they'll probably run it with a good ol' O2 sniffer.

I did try to reach the DMV today (to complain), but the lady told me "The inspectors are in an all day meeting today" and that I should call back tomorrow!

...guess I'll try that Firestone idea tonite after work!

Russ

CM5GO · 19th December 2002, 01:43

Strange! I cant believe that BMW cant inspet their own cars?!!

Russ · 19th December 2002, 02:17

Quote:

Originally posted by CM5GO
Strange! I cant believe that BMW cant inspet their own cars?!!

Yes, it is kinda weird! The dealer tells me the problem isn't with the ODB II system in the car, but really with the database/software in the NC DMV computers that prevents them from completing the emissions check...

I called that Firestone place and they told me they can't inspect my Y2000 because, according to the new NC DMV rules, anything after 1996 can only be run on the new system, and their new system isn't functioning yet! So, that's a NOGO as well! They did however, refer to "up-the-street" to an Exxon station... I called them and they give me the same story... "Bring it in and we'll try it!" right....

I dunno, my car has already been hooked-up to about 6 different DMV inspection computers around the Raleigh area (some places had more than one machine and we tried each they had) and each one fails with the same message: Something like: "Communication link failure on OBD II system".

I'll call the NC DMV tomorrow (Thursday) and give them a rash... (... at this rate this darn failed inspection thing might actually delay my holiday travel plans!)

Arggh!

Russ

rvacha · 19th December 2002, 02:20

Seems strange to me too... Is your dealer implying that they use the same bogus software that the BMV is using?!!! US law requires an OBD II port... and I have to believe that it is required to work! Sounds like a BMW warranty issue to me, just like any other emissions related issue.

X5Boston · 19th December 2002, 02:35

Taxachuetts had also moved to the OBD-II method too. Inspection stations are slowly phasing in the new systems. I've yet to see one of the new ones though. The information I have is from the state EPA website.

Just a heads up to Commonwealth Beasts.

Russ · 19th December 2002, 03:09

Quote:

Originally posted by rvacha
...Is your dealer implying that they use the same bogus software that the BMV is using

Well, to complete the emissions check, the test station computer (connected to the car's OBD II port) makes an external link back to the central NC DMV computer.

I think the problem arises when it does a look-up and finds either no or an erroneous entry for a Y2000 BMW powered with a 400HP V8 engine.

It's probably something as simple as them getting their records straight. Several of the guys in the garages have told me they've seen this same glitch with several new model cars. It might be that German cars are ranked "low priority" when it comes to data entry at the NC DMV. Apparently, the DMV keeps issuing new software updates (Hey! Kinda like Windows) in attempts to straighten things out. I just might have to wait for the next software release...

One idea I had is to try to get one of my inspector guys to run the car as Y2001 or Y2002!!??? I'm not sure if they could do that to "fool" the DMV computer!?

At this point, it's all conjecture... I let y'all know what I find out after I talk to the DMV tomorrow.

Russ

CM5GO · 19th December 2002, 03:09

BMW has to be held accountable for inspecting their own cars. I would get on the horn to BMWNA so they can help in expediting the proper outcome.

Russ · 19th December 2002, 18:27

Okay, I spoke to one of the "Emissions Inspector's" at the NC DMV,

He confirmed that they have seen this "OBD II Communications link error" on certain Y2000 BMWs. He explained to me that it only happens on certain emissions inspection machines. He suggested that I take the car to CarMax where they have an Inspection Station with known good software (run by an NC Emissions knowledgeable person). He mentioned that he has not had one car fail with this error on that particular machine.

If it still fails there, he said he would grant me an NC emissions exemption.

So, off I'll go now to CarMax...

Russ
(OBD II North Carolina Emissions cut-over=PITA for me)