CAR FLAGGED FOR CA State REF "PLEASE HELP"
EvoM Community Team Leader
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,690
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From: West Coast
It has also been theorized that they have been collecting Cal ID / CVN data for a while and that they could have been passing the cars at the station, but are now auditing those past results and flagging cars with CVN discrepancies. Hopefully it will be more apparent whats going on as time goes by and more people run into this wall.
Last edited by Biggiesacks; Aug 21, 2020 at 08:58 AM.
I don't know how likely it is that the smog tech knew off hand which emissions systems the car is suppose to have, or at what level of the process these discrepancies are detected. It could be that the equipment at the station doesn't pick up these incorrect monitors and it isn't until later analysis that the issues are detected. Unfortunately a lot of the process is not very well known, probably by design.
It has also been theorized that they have been collecting Cal ID / CVN data for a while and that they could have been passing the cars at the station, but are now auditing those past results and flagging cars with CVN discrepancies. Hopefully it will be more apparent whats going on as time goes by and more people run into this wall.
It has also been theorized that they have been collecting Cal ID / CVN data for a while and that they could have been passing the cars at the station, but are now auditing those past results and flagging cars with CVN discrepancies. Hopefully it will be more apparent whats going on as time goes by and more people run into this wall.
Buddy with the 2.3 never had any issues...randomly checked the bar site and is flagged...instead of trying to get it reffed*...he just non-oped it for now.
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Last edited by zeRep85RA; Aug 21, 2020 at 09:43 AM.
EvoM Community Team Leader
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,690
Likes: 708
From: West Coast
What year is his car? Reason I ask is they only started requiring OEM's to provide them with Cal ID / CVN data for 2005+ Model years. I'm not saying that they don't have the CVN data for earlier model years, but it would be nice to know if there is some model year component to all this.
what year is his car? Reason i ask is they only started requiring oem's to provide them with cal id / cvn data for 2005+ model years. I'm not saying that they don't have the cvn data for earlier model years, but it would be nice to know if there is some model year component to all this.
EvoM Community Team Leader
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,690
Likes: 708
From: West Coast
This is terrible to hear about. I was reffed back in 2009 and they truly are a$$holes with ZERO interest in making things easy for you. They are hated, miserable, people and nobody is happy around them. Ever since then I have urged people to keep all of their smog legal parts in a large bin for a rainy day. For smog refs it's not about how much your car is actually polluting, but rather what it looks like under the hood.. If they actually cared about how much it pollutes they would take exhaust readings and check for leaks then grade your vehicle off of that only. There are 199X commuter cars out there that are smoking like fog machines who's EGR systems, gas caps, PCVs, and charcoal canisters are busted in half and still will get a pass before a clean burning modified evo will 
Good luck with everything OP.
Good luck with everything OP.
Evolving Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 199
Likes: 64
From: San Diego, CA
This happened to me when I bought my Evo this year. Just know that by CA law, it is illegal to sell a car that doesn't pass smog. You could get your money back since it was never a valid sale.
If you're up to passing the inspection, I would swap EVERYTHING back to stock. If or when you fail an ref inspection, they'll only reschedule you for an appmt if you have proof of the work(aka dealership invoice) that the issues were corrected to reschedule an appmt. They will accept nothing else even if you did it yourself. They are very adamant about this so I would avoid the risk to fail the inspection unless your are ok with paying the dealership to fix everything. Right now, you have the liberty of doing all the work yourself or choosing someone to work on it to correct everything before scheduling the first appmt.
I just recently passed the REF a few months ago and while my car's hardware is bone stock, I purchased the car with a tune which flagged it from the PO. Call Mitsubishi to see if your car had the most recent ECU software recall done. If so, this will be your ROM ID, CAL ID and CVN that the Ref will check:
ROM ID: 88590016
CALID: 1860A465DD
CVN : 32 32 8F 49
If the recall wasn't done, this may work:
ROM ID: 88590015
CALID: 1860A465CC
CVN1 : 78 6B 70 7B
If you don't know what these values are check this thread (scroll towards the end): https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ec...-cal-id-9.html
If you're up to passing the inspection, I would swap EVERYTHING back to stock. If or when you fail an ref inspection, they'll only reschedule you for an appmt if you have proof of the work(aka dealership invoice) that the issues were corrected to reschedule an appmt. They will accept nothing else even if you did it yourself. They are very adamant about this so I would avoid the risk to fail the inspection unless your are ok with paying the dealership to fix everything. Right now, you have the liberty of doing all the work yourself or choosing someone to work on it to correct everything before scheduling the first appmt.
I just recently passed the REF a few months ago and while my car's hardware is bone stock, I purchased the car with a tune which flagged it from the PO. Call Mitsubishi to see if your car had the most recent ECU software recall done. If so, this will be your ROM ID, CAL ID and CVN that the Ref will check:
ROM ID: 88590016
CALID: 1860A465DD
CVN : 32 32 8F 49
If the recall wasn't done, this may work:
ROM ID: 88590015
CALID: 1860A465CC
CVN1 : 78 6B 70 7B
If you don't know what these values are check this thread (scroll towards the end): https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ec...-cal-id-9.html
This happened to me when I bought my Evo this year. Just know that by CA law, it is illegal to sell a car that doesn't pass smog. You could get your money back since it was never a valid sale.
If you're up to passing the inspection, I would swap EVERYTHING back to stock. If or when you fail an ref inspection, they'll only reschedule you for an appmt if you have proof of the work(aka dealership invoice) that the issues were corrected to reschedule an appmt. They will accept nothing else even if you did it yourself. They are very adamant about this so I would avoid the risk to fail the inspection unless your are ok with paying the dealership to fix everything. Right now, you have the liberty of doing all the work yourself or choosing someone to work on it to correct everything before scheduling the first appmt.
I just recently passed the REF a few months ago and while my car's hardware is bone stock, I purchased the car with a tune which flagged it from the PO. Call Mitsubishi to see if your car had the most recent ECU software recall done. If so, this will be your ROM ID, CAL ID and CVN that the Ref will check:
ROM ID: 88590016
CALID: 1860A465DD
CVN : 32 32 8F 49
If the recall wasn't done, this may work:
ROM ID: 88590015
CALID: 1860A465CC
CVN1 : 78 6B 70 7B
If you don't know what these values are check this thread (scroll towards the end): https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ec...-cal-id-9.html
If you're up to passing the inspection, I would swap EVERYTHING back to stock. If or when you fail an ref inspection, they'll only reschedule you for an appmt if you have proof of the work(aka dealership invoice) that the issues were corrected to reschedule an appmt. They will accept nothing else even if you did it yourself. They are very adamant about this so I would avoid the risk to fail the inspection unless your are ok with paying the dealership to fix everything. Right now, you have the liberty of doing all the work yourself or choosing someone to work on it to correct everything before scheduling the first appmt.
I just recently passed the REF a few months ago and while my car's hardware is bone stock, I purchased the car with a tune which flagged it from the PO. Call Mitsubishi to see if your car had the most recent ECU software recall done. If so, this will be your ROM ID, CAL ID and CVN that the Ref will check:
ROM ID: 88590016
CALID: 1860A465DD
CVN : 32 32 8F 49
If the recall wasn't done, this may work:
ROM ID: 88590015
CALID: 1860A465CC
CVN1 : 78 6B 70 7B
If you don't know what these values are check this thread (scroll towards the end): https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ec...-cal-id-9.html
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
For the Ref:
This info is to the best of my knowledge. I'm not a smog professional or anything and this is just stuff I have put together from my own research and experience. I could be mistaken, laws could have changed etc. so you should do some independent research of your own before the inspection. Of course you can roll the dice on any given part but State Refs are known to be brutal.
Ignition system mods, like COP are smog legal. Altering ignition timing is not, but using different coils etc is fine.
Any pre-cat exhaust mods are not legal, you will need stock downpipe, 02 housing, Turbo*, Exhaust Manifold.
All Emissions related systems need to be stock and functional. You will need the stock MAF, EGR, PCV, CAT, EVAP systems working properly. Catch cans alter PCV and are not legal. The tune needs to be stock. So even if you could camo the injectors the car wouldn't run on them. The fuel lines, rail, regulator need to be stock, or at least stock appearing. If you have a CARB Exemption for the intake that can stay. The Recirc valve (Blowoff valve) needs to be stock. The car is not likely to run without throwing a CEL with cams but you could give it a try. All applicable emissions monitors need to be ready and pass, and there can't be any OBD Trouble codes. The oil pan doesn't effect emissions and AFAIK should be fine. The fuel pump should be fine as long as it doesn't cause a CEL with the stock tune. Aftermarket intercoolers are legal but the piping all needs to be stock, including the couplers. The clamps don't need to be stock, t-bolt are fine. Cooling system mods are fine, radiators, hoses etc. wont effect smog.
* Mitsubishi makes the MHI 18k which is probably stock appearing enough to pass, but a super **** inspector could check the part number.
This info is to the best of my knowledge. I'm not a smog professional or anything and this is just stuff I have put together from my own research and experience. I could be mistaken, laws could have changed etc. so you should do some independent research of your own before the inspection. Of course you can roll the dice on any given part but State Refs are known to be brutal.
Ignition system mods, like COP are smog legal. Altering ignition timing is not, but using different coils etc is fine.
Any pre-cat exhaust mods are not legal, you will need stock downpipe, 02 housing, Turbo*, Exhaust Manifold.
All Emissions related systems need to be stock and functional. You will need the stock MAF, EGR, PCV, CAT, EVAP systems working properly. Catch cans alter PCV and are not legal. The tune needs to be stock. So even if you could camo the injectors the car wouldn't run on them. The fuel lines, rail, regulator need to be stock, or at least stock appearing. If you have a CARB Exemption for the intake that can stay. The Recirc valve (Blowoff valve) needs to be stock. The car is not likely to run without throwing a CEL with cams but you could give it a try. All applicable emissions monitors need to be ready and pass, and there can't be any OBD Trouble codes. The oil pan doesn't effect emissions and AFAIK should be fine. The fuel pump should be fine as long as it doesn't cause a CEL with the stock tune. Aftermarket intercoolers are legal but the piping all needs to be stock, including the couplers. The clamps don't need to be stock, t-bolt are fine. Cooling system mods are fine, radiators, hoses etc. wont effect smog.
* Mitsubishi makes the MHI 18k which is probably stock appearing enough to pass, but a super **** inspector could check the part number.
Thanks for the info.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Cams need to go back to stock. The idle vacuum is 18 mmHg vs S2 at 12 mmHg. When they connect to ecu while engine is idling, state will know cams are not stock.
And they will enter your stock turbo code into computer so you need to have oem turbo cover.
Also, check your ECU VIN. So many evos here in So Cal are modded to badly that you may not even have your original ECU.
And they will enter your stock turbo code into computer so you need to have oem turbo cover.
Also, check your ECU VIN. So many evos here in So Cal are modded to badly that you may not even have your original ECU.
Obviously, the ref techs can't check this. The odb2 hook up with engine running will be the only way they will know and that is what we don't know. Does it compare all the parameter to what stock should be?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Sorry guys, I have been busy this weekend and wasn't able to respond in this thread. Thank you everyone for all the information and suggestions.
With the stock tune flashed on the ECU, would a tuner still be able to force pass certain monitors that would other wise fail? If so, would a REF know that this was tampered with? I can't imagine a REF physically checking if the EGR or PVC was working etc.
In Theory would I be able to slap on all the EGR, PVC, MAF etc and make it look like they are there and working but they aren't actually working? Have the tuner force all necessary monitor to pass. Would this fool the REF? Does force passing certain monitors cause the Cal ID / CVN to change?
After pass REF and putting all my aftermarket parts back on the car and in 2 years when I need to smog the car again. Do I simply just flash the tune back to stock and run the smog check? That way the Cal ID / CVN is matching stock and won't get flagged in the future.
With the stock tune flashed on the ECU, would a tuner still be able to force pass certain monitors that would other wise fail? If so, would a REF know that this was tampered with? I can't imagine a REF physically checking if the EGR or PVC was working etc.
In Theory would I be able to slap on all the EGR, PVC, MAF etc and make it look like they are there and working but they aren't actually working? Have the tuner force all necessary monitor to pass. Would this fool the REF? Does force passing certain monitors cause the Cal ID / CVN to change?
After pass REF and putting all my aftermarket parts back on the car and in 2 years when I need to smog the car again. Do I simply just flash the tune back to stock and run the smog check? That way the Cal ID / CVN is matching stock and won't get flagged in the future.
EvoM Community Team Leader
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,690
Likes: 708
From: West Coast
Sorry guys, I have been busy this weekend and wasn't able to respond in this thread. Thank you everyone for all the information and suggestions.
With the stock tune flashed on the ECU, would a tuner still be able to force pass certain monitors that would other wise fail? If so, would a REF know that this was tampered with? I can't imagine a REF physically checking if the EGR or PVC was working etc.
In Theory would I be able to slap on all the EGR, PVC, MAF etc and make it look like they are there and working but they aren't actually working? Have the tuner force all necessary monitor to pass. Would this fool the REF? Does force passing certain monitors cause the Cal ID / CVN to change?
After pass REF and putting all my aftermarket parts back on the car and in 2 years when I need to smog the car again. Do I simply just flash the tune back to stock and run the smog check? That way the Cal ID / CVN is matching stock and won't get flagged in the future.
With the stock tune flashed on the ECU, would a tuner still be able to force pass certain monitors that would other wise fail? If so, would a REF know that this was tampered with? I can't imagine a REF physically checking if the EGR or PVC was working etc.
In Theory would I be able to slap on all the EGR, PVC, MAF etc and make it look like they are there and working but they aren't actually working? Have the tuner force all necessary monitor to pass. Would this fool the REF? Does force passing certain monitors cause the Cal ID / CVN to change?
After pass REF and putting all my aftermarket parts back on the car and in 2 years when I need to smog the car again. Do I simply just flash the tune back to stock and run the smog check? That way the Cal ID / CVN is matching stock and won't get flagged in the future.