Why does the emission inspection failed almost every time its due for DMV inspection?

The car is like new with the low mileage. ( 2003 with 3485 miles) It is barely driven. Why does the emission inspection failed almost every time its due for DMV inspection? One time the Inspector suggested to changed the battery and it passed the inspection. it is only driven for 300 miles a year for 13 years. Does it has something to do with the engine?
Thank you.

My car has 3485 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there:

Honestly, the lack of consistent driving could be the reason why you have frequent emissions issues. If the car does not run frequently and have an opportunity to circulate built up carbon deposits on the inside of the fuel injection system or exhaust system, failed emissions testing may be the result. The best thing to do is to drive your vehicle once or twice per week about a month or so before your emissions testing is needed. Also, it’s a good idea to replace air filters frequently before emissions testing is completed. This article is a good one that helps many car owners learn what they can do to help improve emissions testing.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Faulty sensors: A failing oxygen sensor or bad mass airflow sensor can trigger your “check engine light.” Other issues: A gas cap that`s loose, cracked, or otherwise ill-fitting can cause an emissions test failure. Waiting too long between oil changes or replacing your engine air filter can also be the culprit.
But the good news is if your vehicle fails the MOT emissions test for the First three common issues you have a chance to rectify it by adding fuel treatments and changing the engine oil.
if the evap monitor is not ready, verify that your fuel cap is tight and the level of fuel is between 1/4 and 3/4 full. if all the other monitors are ready, then do a couple more “cold” starts.
Emissions Test Failure

If the O2 sensor is bad, your vehicle won`t pass an emissions test because there will either be too much or too little oxygen in the exhaust, which affects the other emission gas levels.

The easiest method to reset the check engine light is to drive your car as you normally would and let the light turn off naturally by itself. If it hasn`t turned off after three days, turn the car on and off three times consecutively.
Driving with a broken emission system can damage your engine and decrease your gas mileage. It can also cause your car to fail an emissions test. So if you think there`s something wrong with your emission system, take your car to a mechanic and have it checked out.
The most common causes for EVAP leaks include bad seals and O-rings, a failing purge valve, a damaged hose or vent, or a defective leak detection pump. As you might have guessed, there`s no real way to prevent one of those components from failing unless you`d like to regularly replace components of your fuel system.
Start the engine and idle for four minutes, then drive in stop-and-go traffic for five minutes using smooth accelerations and decelerations. Stop and idle for 4 minutes. The EVAP monitor should be complete.
Clean oil running around your engine also lowers the emissions of your vehicle. This is because it allows the engine to run smoothly and removes any hydrocarbons built up in the engine.
Disconnect your 12V battery for 15 seconds. This will turn the check engine light off and clear the computer`s memory, or. Buy a scanner from Amazon, EBay, or an auto parts store and use it to clear the trouble codes, or. Find the fuse that supplies backup/memory power to the ECM and pull it for 15 seconds.
Once you see the check engine light, it is safe to drive with the light on for 50 to 100 miles. This is because if the issue is with the sensors, then this will buy some time for it to reset, turning the check engine light off. However, scan the computer for the appropriate error codes if the light remains.
These gasoline vapors may produce errors in the emissions system, which would cause the check engine light to come on. Dirt and Grime that gets into the gas tank could also contaminate the fuel injectors. Perhaps the biggest sign of a bad gas cap is the smell of gasoline in your vehicle.
Poor Engine Performance

Will a bad O2 sensor cause rough idle and loss of engine power? You bet. Moreover, you may also notice poor acceleration, engine misfires, and even stalling. Bad oxygen sensors disrupt all kinds of essential engine functions, including engine timing, combustion intervals, and air-fuel ratio.

Driving 4-7 days in city and highway usually resets the monitors. Vehicle must meet basic operating criteria and complete its manufacturer drive cycle for a particular monitor.
A faulty catalytic converter leads to emissions system problems. It cannot take enough carbon monoxide and transform it into carbon dioxide. If your catalytic converter accumulates trapped gases in the engine, you can be exposed to the smell of sulfur just like rotten eggs.
The purpose of emission repair is to reduce air pollution from cars and other vehicles. The chemicals inside a vehicle`s engine can be harmful to the environment if they aren`t completely broken down before being released into the air. That`s why car emission repair is so important.
The components of the emission control system include fuel fill cap, vapor recirculation tube, fuel tank vapor control valve, evaporative emission canister, fuel tank pressure sensor, canister vent valve, evaporative two-way valve, and the evaporative canister purge valve.
It is not good when there is an emissions problem or exhaust system failure. It can cause performance issues in your engine, potentially leading to costly internal damage. It`s also bad for you and the environment when harmful fumes and carbon monoxide are getting out more than they should.
Common signs of a problem with a car EVAP canister purge solenoid include rough idle, difficulty starting, and the Check Engine Light turning on.
What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Leak Detection Pump? The check engine light or the malfunction indicator light turn on if there`s an issue with the Leak Detection Pump. A diagnostic trouble code should register in the vehicle`s memory because of a poorly working pump.
signs of a failing charcoal canister

check engine light is on: if the car`s computer finds an evap system leak, including one from a cracked charcoal canister, it will turn on the check engine light. likewise, it will turn on the light if it determines there isn`t enough airflow due to a clogged canister.

The requirements for running the EVAP monitor vary depending on the year, make and model of your vehicle. Generally speaking, the fuel tank must be 1/4 to 3/4 full because a near empty tank or a full tank can affect the accuracy of the EVAP self-test.
Typically driving the vehicle for 100 to 200 miles will clear the system, so you might want to have a professional mechanic take a stab at it with their equipment if it doesn`t clear up in the next week or so.
Driving with a broken emission system can damage your engine and decrease your gas mileage. It can also cause your car to fail an emissions test. So if you think there`s something wrong with your emission system, take your car to a mechanic and have it checked out.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Why does the emission inspection failed almost every time its due for DMV inspection?
ANSWER : Hi there:

Honestly, the lack of consistent driving could be the reason why you have frequent emissions issues. If the car does not run frequently and have an opportunity to circulate built up carbon deposits on the inside of the fuel injection system or exhaust system, failed emissions testing may be the result. The best thing to do is to drive your vehicle once or twice per week about a month or so before your emissions testing is needed. Also, it’s a good idea to replace air filters frequently before emissions testing is completed. This article is a good one that helps many car owners learn what they can do to help improve emissions testing.

My car makes a squealing noise for the first mile I drive it after every time I start the engine. I suspect it’s break related
ANSWER : Hi there. A metal to metal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle is often caused by either the brake pads being worn out or a wheel bearing that is failing. It’s probably a good idea to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is making a noise inspection to verify the source of this noise, so the right repairs will be made.

Car hesitates and slows down badly at times. It almost stalls at times. It keeps slow speed at 20-30KM.
ANSWER : Hello. I would need to know the year of the vehicle to know where the fuel filter is located. If this is an older model, it is located under the vehicle. Most of the newer models only have a filter on the fuel pump.

From what you are explaining, it sounds like the fuel pump is failing. When the fuel is low, the pump will get hot and a weak pump will lose pressure causing this to occur. I would usually check the fuel pressure to see if it is low, especially when the fuel level is low. If it is, then the pump needs to be replaced. If you plan on having this done, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can come to your home or office to diagnose the hesitation problem and guide you with repairs.

Timing chain positioning
ANSWER : This system is a bit complex. I can give you some instructions, but I highly recommend getting a hold of a repair manual or purchasing a yearly subscription for just your vehicle from AllData. It is only $25 for a years subscription from AllData.

There are two separate sets of marks on this system. One set is for aligning the timing chain to the camshaft gears and the intermediate shaft gear. There will be marks on the chain that raps around the crankshaft gear as well. These marks will not line up after you turn the motor over.The other marks are on the inside of the camshaft gears and align with the cylinder head parting line. If you were to draw a ling through the center of both camshaft gears, they should line up with that imaginary line.

The crankshaft key way should be aligned with the mating face of the main bearing cap. You can confirm it is in the correct position by verifying the number one piston is at top dead center. If you have removed the balance shaft timing chain, these marks really need a visual diagram to understand where they should be aligned. Without a diagram I am not very confident it can be explained very clearly.

This may be difficult to to follow, so again I highly recommend purchasing a repair manual in digital form or a book. If you feel this is over your head, I recommend the following inspection to help you out. Timing chain replacement

Good luck! I hope I was able to help you.

Emissions test failed with a new gas cap
ANSWER : Hey there. This may be related to other possible malfunctions in your EVAP system, such as a faulty vent valve solenoid. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors.

When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. When this solenoid is not working properly, this may cause the tank to fail to expel the vapors as it is designed to causing the failed emissions test. If you would like to have the car scoped out, a certified professional from YourMechanic can conduct a comprehensive diagnostic on your car before you take it in for another emissions test.

Failed inspection due to e brake not working please help me identify parking brake and emergency brake?
ANSWER : What aspect of it do you need identified? To start, the parking brake and the emergency brake are the same part. Those are the two of the names given to the additional brake or hand brake as it is also known. The parking brake on your vehicle will be a pedal that is located to the far left side next to your normal brake pedal and accelerator pedal. Once you press the brake pedal down, you will need to pull the handle to release it. This brake uses the same brake components as your normal brakes, but gives you a different way to activate them. This is for when the vehicle is unmanned, or in case of emergencies. The parking brake is always connected to the rear brakes on the vehicle.

At times my jeep will start fine and at times I have a hard time getting it to start. It seems like the wireless ignition node is
ANSWER : The recommended diagnostic to resolve this is a hard starting diagnostic. The work is performed by a certified mechanic right at your location. Among the first things the mechanic will check is whether required maintenance is up to date because old spark plugs, clogged fuel and air filters, and the like are potential causes of the hard starting you are describing. Other possible causes include a failing coolant temperature sensor, or bad connection to the sensor, problems with other sensors such as the cam and crankshaft position sensors, a defective fuel pump, and many other causes, all of which will be familiar to YourMechanic’s experts. With regard to the fuel pump, if the engine is not getting enough fuel it will be hard to start. If you request a hard starting diagnostic, YourMechanic will get this issue diagnosed and resolved for you.

Will the P0597 code cause the car to fail emissions inspection in North Carolina?
ANSWER : Hi there. The code P0597 is for the thermostat heater control circuit. This means that the thermostat is electronically controlled in your vehicle. To see why this code is on, check the following:

A loose or corroded connector on the thermostat
A coolant leak in the cooling system – make sure that all connections are tight
The thermostat could have failed – stuck open or partially open
There could be a short in the wiring harness between the computer and thermostat
The ECM (computer) has failed – Only in the event that all areas have been check and are all functional

Once the engine light is off and the engine is running correctly, you would be able to retest your vehicle at the emissions in your state. If you need further assistance with your check engine light on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.