Experiencing a smog check failure due to “OBDII monitors not ready” can be frustrating, especially when you’re dealing with a vehicle like a Ford Excursion. If you’ve encountered this issue, particularly with a 2000-2004 Ford Excursion, you’re not alone. Many owners have faced similar challenges, often stemming from confusion about the correct smog testing procedure for these specific models. This guide will walk you through understanding why your OBDII might not be ready and how to ensure your Excursion passes its smog test.
The initial hurdle often arises at the smog check station itself. In many regions, vehicles from model year 2000 onwards are typically tested using the On-Board Diagnostic system, generation II (OBDII). However, certain Ford Excursion models, specifically those federally certified, require a different approach. One owner’s experience highlights this perfectly. After purchasing a 2000 Excursion and taking it for a smog test, the test initially failed with the error “OBDII monitors not ready [Oxygen sensor, and Oxygen sensor heater]”. This immediately raises questions: why would an OBDII test fail for monitors not being ready, and is OBDII even the correct testing method in this case?
Further investigation reveals crucial details. While under-hood labels might not explicitly state “OBDI” or “OBDII,” they often indicate compliance with “U.S. EPA regulations applicable to gasoline-fueled 2000 model year new ULEV heavy-duty engines.” This seemingly ambiguous labeling is key. Consulting resources like the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) website in California provides specific guidance. The BAR’s “Section 4: OIS Vehicles of Interest” explicitly mentions “FORD 2000-2004 F250, F350, E350, Excursion (gasoline) [Federal certified]” and provides special instructions. This section clarifies that despite being model year 2000 or newer, these Federal certified Ford Excursions are not always tested correctly using the standard OBDII system.
To confirm vehicle specifications, contacting a Ford parts department and requesting a factory exhaust system schematic can be beneficial. This ensures no modifications have been made that could affect testing procedures. In the case mentioned earlier, the owner did this and confirmed the exhaust system was original.
Armed with information from the BAR website (https://www.bar.ca.gov/industry/obd-test-reference), the owner returned to the smog station. By actively participating in the test and referencing the BAR guidelines, it was discovered that the smog technician needed to select a specific option within their testing system. This correct option acknowledged the vehicle’s specific Federal certification and prompted the system to revert to a BAR-97 test instead of the OIS (OBDII) system for emissions readings. Subsequently, the Excursion passed the tailpipe emissions test using the BAR-97 system without issue.
In conclusion, if you are facing an “OBDII monitors not ready” error on your 2000-2004 Ford Excursion during a smog check, especially in California or regions following similar guidelines, ensure your smog technician is aware of the specific testing requirements for Federal certified models. Direct them to resources like the BAR website’s “OIS Vehicles of Interest” section. By ensuring the correct BAR-97 testing procedure is used, you can likely resolve the “OBDII not ready” issue and successfully pass your smog test. This experience underscores the importance of understanding vehicle-specific emission testing protocols and being proactive in communicating this information to smog check technicians.
