I live in nc and we are required to pass inspection before we can register our cars. I took my 2001 protege to get inspected and it failed due to catalyst, o2 sensor heater, egr system evap system, and o2 sensor not being ready for testing. They told me to just drive around 60-80 miles and it should be ready, but it ls not. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

That's a popular topic lately,

MazdaTirol posted this on another thread:
From a google search:
"Here is a Mazda drive cycle:

Pre-requisites: MIL off and no DTCs present (this is where clearing your codes comes in); fuel level between 15 and 85%; all accessories OFF; cold start (preferred 8 hour cold soak w/ engine between 68 and 86 deg F at start-up)

1) Start vehicle and idle 5 min.
2) Rev engine in neutral or park to 2300-2700 rpm for 15 seconds
3)Rev engine in neutral or park to 3800-4200 rpm for 15 seconds
4)Idle engine for 20 seconds with cooling fan stopped.
5)Accelerate to 52-55 mph, maintain speed (in high gear) for 1 1/2 minutes
6) Decelerate to 15 mph, and then drive for 13 minutes at speeds ranging from 15 to 35 mph
7) maintain steady 25 mph for 50 seconds.

Each step of the drive cycle indicates a test for a different monitor on the vehicle (catalyst, o2 sensor, evap, etc) so each step is important. Some vehicles are a pain and may require a few drive cycles. "
__________________

 

Leave it running while you wait for it. Do not shut car off. Drive for a while before you go as well. I remember Tirol posting something about proper readiness driving before, don't know if it's applicable to your vehicle or if O2 sensor not heating properly either. I see tanprotege just beat me, thanxs!

 

Would the coolant temp sensor being bad cause a problem with this cycle? Th car doesn't overheat however the needle is always at the hot position would it make the computer think that its not a cold stat?

 

Some cars have 2 coolant temperature sensors. 1 for the gauge and 1 for the computer. If the one for the computer is bad it will affect performance. The one for the gauge doesn't matter.
Some cars have 1 sensor for both function.

Honestly, I don't know off hand how the protege is setup. I believe it has 2, but I am not sure.

 

Found out why I can't get them to clear. The car I bought has a haltech f10x. Man I got screwed. I need a dd and this isn't going to cut it I don't have the money to fix all this.