My '97 won't pass inspection because of LINK computer

Help needed!

I have a ’97 Miata with FMII Turbo and an early Link computer (95-96 link with rewire) and I’ve never had a problem getting the car inspected by using the Dyno/sniffer test. However, apparently Texas or at least Tarrant County has changed the rules, and if the inspection station can’t get ODBII information from the ODB port then they automatically fail the car! WTF, how can they fail the car without putting it on a sniffer????

So what now? Is the car worth nothing because it has an aftermarket computer?

Texas law will not let them pass an ODBII car without pulling the diagnostics through the ODBII port. They risk a fine and having their license pulled if they fudge it. Welcome to our Californified gobment. Tarrent County has recently been added to the smog counties like Dallas, Denton, Collin etc...

Read up on the regs on emissions testing. Its quite a pita to replace an engine or modify a late model car. Basically the law states you have to have as good or better emissions then the stock equipment. And it is up to you to prove it not them.

I went through this when I was building my Jeep. I was determined to keep it street legal. Luckily any kind of EFI with o2 feedback is leages better then the stock equipment on a 72.

EDIT: Just found a PDF document from September 2, 2008. It states that because of Federal EPA restictions if an ODB equiped car can not communicate with the diagnostics equipment because of modifications it will be failed. It will no longer fail back to the sniffer test.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/

Knock yourself out.

I found the regs here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc...tice092008.pdf

The thing is the car is more efficient and cleaner with the Link than it was with the Mazda computer.

Right now it looks like I'll take half a day off from work to go to this station: :(
DPS Waiver/Challenge Stations

DPS Field Office Irving
1613 W. Irving Blvd.
Irving TX, 75061
Main phone: 9722512404
Fax phone: 9722545201

I know that station. I used to get a low mileage waiver for my truck, until Denton county decided they wouldn't let me register it anymore.

Anyway they're good guys, at least I never met any jerks there. Good luck.

Every December I have to change my '96 from running on the SDS computer to the OEM computer (and then back again to the SDS) in order to get it inspected. Fairly simple in my case because I'm not running a turbo, but still a big PITA. Good luck trying to get a waiver, the guy at the inspection station made it sound nearly impossible. Let us know how it turns out.

What you need is a good friend who lives in Hill County who'll let you register your car from his address.

So do you want to pass? Or pass legally...?

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Originally Posted by Davidss

So do you want to pass? Or pass legally...?

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Seriously. I've never had trouble passing highly modified cars using the "slip 'em a $20" modification. Of course, you need to go someplace that is open to that sort of thing. There are plenty around.

Fortunately, my Miata in its current state passes on its own merit. But I've had a few cars in the past that would not.

Since I'm totally unfamiliar with the Link, does yours retain the stock harness connectors? And if so, did anything need to be repinned?

While it would be a total hassle, you could pull the link, insert a stock computer, jam the wastegate open, and calmly make your way to a smog place.
...or get a temporary boomslang-style harness to run the Link in parallel with an OE unit.

The ref station sounds like the easiest method, though, if they're feeling cooperative.

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Originally Posted by juxt3r

Since I'm totally unfamiliar with the Link, does yours retain the stock harness connectors? And if so, did anything need to be repinned?

While it would be a total hassle, you could pull the link, insert a stock computer, jam the wastegate open, and calmly make your way to a smog place.
...or get a temporary boomslang-style harness to run the Link in parallel with an OE unit.

The ref station sounds like the easiest method, though, if they're feeling cooperative.

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The Link did retain the orginal harness, however there was substantial re-wiring done to make it work, as the ODBII Link wasn't yet available when this car was modded, so it has the 94-95 link.


I'd like to pass legally. Plus it's not so easy to "slip" a $20 because the computer that they do the inspections with are all re-programmed now and don't offer the sniffing option. Thus every car has to be plugged into the diag computer.

And that is why I will be using the ODBI 94 drivetrain in the Locost. The ODBII 96 drivetrain will be going in the smog exempt Metropolitan.

Hey, I think I may have found a solution: http://www.boomslang.us/ :drive:

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Originally Posted by TurboDuane

Hey, I think I may have found a solution: http://www.boomslang.us/ :drive:

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Was this the solution? I read in another thread that you got it inspected.

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Originally Posted by Sharpie

Was this the solution? I read in another thread that you got it inspected.

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Well, I did get the harness, however I wish I hadn't sold the original injectors. On how it got inspected, I'll need to take the 5th on this public forum. It is apparently going to be an issue every year now :(. So, It's a bit more involved than with a stock car, but still managable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TurboDuane

Hey, I think I may have found a solution: http://www.boomslang.us/ :drive:

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There's an OBD 0?

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Originally Posted by Snowdoggie

There's an OBD 0?

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I think they mean Pre-ODB. They can make just about anything, they did a really nice job on my $150 harness adaptor, that I won't need again until next year. :pale:

As I'm in the same boat as you and have been unsuccessful at getting mine to pass. How did you end up getting yours to pass? I need a solution as I'm getting really tired of just looking at my car in the garage that is months out of inspection.

Please PM 96M. He's been w/out his car too long.