Hi All,

I bought an already modified 96' Tracker last month.  Before I can register it, I need to pass smog in California.  I am having the P0400 EGR Flow problem that a lot of people have.  I've replaced the EGR valve itself and cleaned the intake entrance port.  The code came back.  This wouldn't be such a bad thing, but it took it 2 weeks and 1000 miles of driving before it came back.  I was using Digimoto Lite to monitor the status of the system tests.  During this whole time, it showed that the EGR test was incomplete.  This weekend, the code came back, and showed the EGR test as complete.  The problem is, if I have to wait 2 weeks and 1000 miles after I fix something before it completes the test, then I may never be able to smog it.  Is this normal?  Looking around, I found this page
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f53/2000-chevy-tracker-egr-62929/
that talks about conditions to run the DTC on a 2000 Tracker.  One of the conditions is driving at 60mph for 5 minutes and then decelerating.  I have 33's on the Tracker.  For me to do 60 mph indicated, I have to be doing about 72-75 mph actual.  That's hard to do in a Tracker, especially for 5 minutes.  Does anybody know if this applies to a 96 Tracker as well?  I'm not even sure that a 96 Tracker has a vehicle speed sensor, because Digimoto returns an NA when I try to query vehicle speed.   Also, the other tests, like oxygen sensor system, still show incomplete.  All of these tests have to be completed before the vehicle can be ready for a smog test.  Does anybody have any ideas?
 

Jack stands?  Not 100% positive an automatic would upshift with no load, but if you've got a manual you shouldn't have any trouble registering 60mph.


What's the worst that could happen?

Jack stands?  Not 100% positive an automatic would upshift with no load, but if you've got a manual you shouldn't have any trouble registering 60mph.

I don't think that would work with a maual either. You need a minimum load on the engine before the EGR will operate.

I'm in California also. I had a check engine light problem with a vehicle other than my Tracker. I cleared the code with a scanner, drove the car about 50 miles no light, while getting it smogged the light came on, no pass. Smog guy says clear code, drive it less than 50 miles re-smog, it worked. You must be sure the scanner clears pending and freeze frame data. I know this doesn't fix the problem but it gets it smogged. Good luck.

I am also in CA.  I had the same code 51.  CA has a Smog Program where the state will pay up to $500 to fix the issue.  I went through it and the Gold Shield that the state recommended just reset the CEL and passed the Sidekick.  Naturally when the light came back on during the ride home they said I should reset the light so it passes when I get the car smogged.  Stay away from A! Smog in San Bernardino, CA and let us know if you get it fixed

I'm still trying

I am also in CA.  I had the same code 51.  CA has a Smog Program where the state will pay up to $500 to fix the issue.  I went through it and the Gold Shield that the state recommended just reset the CEL and passed the Sidekick.  Naturally when the light came back on during the ride home they said I should reset the light so it passes when I get the car smogged.  Stay away from A! Smog in San Bernardino, CA and let us know if you get it fixed

I'm still trying

Interesting.  I think that it wouldn't work for OBD II because it has to indicate that all the tests have completed before they will check you.  I actually took it in and they smogged it.  Everything was great as far as gas emissions, but I failed because OBD II reported that the vehicle was not ready for a smog test, meaning there were pending tests that had not completed.

I am Texas and had the same exact problem with my 98 Tracker.  It took forever to show all of the sensors as ready.  I failed the test, not because of it being out of smog range, but because it couldn't be tested.  They do it to prevent people from just clearing the codes and driving in. 

I NEED HELP WITH THIS TOO. 

I got lucky on my 02 tracker because after cleaning the EGR valve and getting it to work absolutely freely it has been just fine and it saved me several hundred bucks for a new one.
Cleaned it, cleared the code, problem gone.

Here in michigan they stopped the smog testing, for now anyway.

I always hated having to do that test years ago and I always seen it more as a revenue generator than any useful smog control.

I was talking to someone on the suzuki forum, and he posted the conditions required to initiate the tests.  One of them is speed.  My speedometer jumps, probably a bad cable.  I'm going to try replacing or oiling the cable to get a smooth speed indication.  The VSS is apparently connected to this cable as well.  If the ECU is getting bad speed data, then it may not meet the condition for testing the EGR.  I will update you when I get around to taking a look at it.

My speedometer jumps around like what your are describing also.

Mine jumps around as well, but it's from a bad cluster and not a bad cable. 

Heres the conditions for p0400

Conditions for Setting the DTC
Engine coolant temperature is between 75°C and 110°C (167°F and 230°F).

    * Intake air temperature between -7°C and 70°C (19°F and 158°F).
    * Barometric pressure greater than or equal to 75 kPa.

Intake pressure change during steady state driving conditions:

    * Engine speed between:
    * 1500 and 3000 RPM (A/T)
    * 2300 and 4000 RPM (M/T)
    * Vehicle speed greater than 32 km/h (20 mph).
    * Throttle position change is less than 0.37 / 5 msec.
    * After 240 seconds from engine start in EGR control mode.
    * Intake pressure difference diagnostic will run for 2 seconds, once per drive cycle.

Intake pressure change during deceleration:

    * Engine speed between 1500 and 4000 RPM.
    * Engine speed change less than 150 RPM / 25 msec.
    * Vehicle speed greater than 46 km/h (28 mph).
    * After 290 seconds from engine start in fuel shut-off mode.
    * Intake pressure difference diagnostic will run for 2 seconds, once per drive cycle

this is from alldata I hope it helps

hondas have similar cde problem, usually the catalytic converter is bad