Equus 3120 - OBD 2&1 Tool Kit - Manual (Page 33)

OBD2 & 1 31
E
OBD2 Systems
I/M READINESS TESTING
Emissions tests vary depending on the geographic or region-
al area in which the vehicle is registered. If the vehicle is reg-
istered in a highly urbanized area, the I/M 240 is probably the
type of test required. If the vehicle is registered in a rural area,
the stricter “dynamometer type” test may not be required.
I/M Readiness Monitors
I/M Readiness shows whether the various emissions-related systems
on the vehicle are operating properly and are ready for Inspection and
Maintenance testing.
State and Federal Governments enacted Regulations, Procedures and
Emission Standards to ensure that all emissions-related components
and systems are continuously or periodically monitored, tested and
diagnosed whenever the vehicle is in operation. It also requires vehi-
cle manufacturers to automatically detect and report any problems or
faults that may increase the vehicle's emissions to an unacceptable level.
The vehicle's emissions control system consists of several compo-
nents or sub-systems (Oxygen Sensor, Catalytic Converter, EGR, Fuel
System, etc.) that aid in reducing vehicle emissions.
To have an efficient Vehicle Emission Control System, all the emis-
sions-related components and systems must work correctly whenever
the vehicle is in operation.
To comply with State and Federal Government regulations, vehicle
manufacturers designed a series of special computer programs called
"Monitors" that are programmed into the vehicle's computer. Each of
these Monitors is specifically designed to run tests and diagnostics on
a specific emissions-related component or system (Oxygen Sensor,
Catalytic Converter, EGR Valve, Fuel System, etc.) to ensure their
proper operation. Currently, there are a maximum of eleven Monitors
available for use.
Each Monitor has a specific function to test and diagnose
only its designated emissions-related component or system.
The names of the Monitors (Oxygen Sensor Monitor, Catalyst
Monitor, EGR Monitor, Misfire Monitor, etc.) describe which
component or system each Monitor is designed to test and
diagnose.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Readiness
Monitor Status Information
I/M Readiness Monitor Status shows which of the vehicle's Monitors
have run and completed their diagnosis and testing, and which ones
have not yet run and completed testing and diagnosis of their desig-
nated sections of the vehicle's emissions system.