[shiftmonkey]

Hi - I posted something here a while ago and it got me some excellent info on how to fix my Patriot issues and also saved me a tone of money! So i thought I'd ask for advice once more...

My 2012 Patriot needs to be smogged in CA to be registered again. However the oxygen sensor is showing NOT READY and they won't do it. They say I need to drive it more. I've had the car 4 years, and had the battery replaced 3 years ago and had no issues where the battery was disconnected in that time. I drive city (Los Angeles) and also highway (to San Diego) so I would have thought in 3 years it would be ready.

Dealer and also Smog guy tell me I need to "drive it more" - but it's been years. Dealer said I should do 50mins at 65mph, then 40mins at 25-35mph, all steady without stopping. I've never done that exact pattern, but have sat on highways for like an hour or more at over 65 and also cruised around cities at 30 for periods of time.

I'm wondering if the O2 sensor may be on the way out, or if it really is just a need to drive it? Anyone else had this issue? Or had to resolved it for smogging?

Edit: wanted to add that when I power without cranking, all lights go off except check engine which flashes then goes solid, disappears on engine start up. No codes.

 

[mr_et2]

If you've got a code reader, try clearing the codes (even if it doesn't have any) or disconnecting the battery cables and touching them together for about 15 minutes or so. Then driving it normally for a couple days. 100 miles should do it. That's all I can think of...

 

[shiftmonkey]

Ok I can try that, don't have a code reader but might get one. Maybe resetting and trying to drive again is the only way.

 

[mr_et2]

If you don't have a code reader I definitely suggest getting one. But you could always try Autozone. They'll do it for free.

 

[shiftmonkey]

Okay, I got a code reader. No codes, but all sensors for drive cycle read READY except O2. Cleared codes, and as there were non it said it failed to clear, but checked I/M again and now all say INC (ie. not ready) - so it looks like it reset them. Gonna do 100+ miles over the next week and see if it sets them. Thanks for the advice!

 

[RobertJ]

When you cleared your codes (not a fan of that piece of advice) you just reset the clock on all those monitors and caused yourself more pain. There are specifics put out by Chrysler on how to get all your monitors to ready set, but I don't have them handy. A google search should pull them up. I will say that particular monitor can be very stubborn and usually a long road trip of sustained highway driving will set it to ready.

Edit: I googled the procedure for you: Chrysler Drive Cycle – ODB2 Readiness Monitors

 

[shiftmonkey]

Resetting seems to be working though - I drove highway 40mi over the past 2 nights, and this morning all are set except the EVAP. I'll do those drive cycles for that tonight, but when I did those exact cycles for the O2 it didn't work. Luckily I have until December to smog it, so can rack up some miles.

 

[RobertJ]

Resetting seems to be working though - I drove highway 40mi over the past 2 nights, and this morning all are set except the EVAP. I'll do those drive cycles for that tonight, but when I did those exact cycles for the O2 it didn't work. Luckily I have until December to smog it, so can rack up some miles.

I couldn't get it to flip ready until I took a long trip. I tried every drive cycle I could find in regards to Chrysler. A 150 mile trip each way did the trick.

 

[shiftmonkey]

So it turns out you don't need the EVAP to smog it. So done, got all needed monitors to flip by clearing codes and doing about 40mi over 2 days. Thanks for all the help, now I can register it.

 

[MistyFofo44]

First of all, Unless you want to start from scratch...do NOT reset or clear the codes. I've gone on all kinds of chats and forums, watched YouTube on how to complete Jeep drive cycles and they didn't work. Last smog, I gave up and paid the Jeep dealer $100 to do it for me to pass my smog. 2yrs later smog is due again in CA but I replaced my battery recently so the emissions weren't ready. Dang! I drove 60mph steady for 18-20mi then city driving and it reset the Catalytic. However, O2 Sensor still not ready. That one will fail you. Went to the dealer and the estimate was a whopping $398!! I walked outside with Uncle Russ from Ozark and told him I was hoping it was $100 and afraid I'll have to get my keys back.

Here's the trick...He told me he used to work smog for Jeep. Listen up Mofos!...Take your Jeep on the hwy and drive steady 60mph for 2miles....then accelerate to 70mph for 2miles...let off the gas without braking back to 60mph for 2miles. Then do a few minutes of stop and go city/town driving and this will work. Well WTF...it worked and only took me 15min, saved me money and got my smog passed! You're welcome.