2009 sedan EGR monitor not ready for smog check

[Valkyrie]

qcjacobo:

I don't know about questions 2 & 3 but as to your first question, see my post that precedes yours. Here's a quick update. I filed a complaint with the EPA and they suggested I first file a formal complaint with Hyundai. The process is explained in the owners manual. It says to file it with the dealer but, knowing my dealer, I didn't think that would be a good idea. So I filed it with the regional office. Here's their address:

Hyundai Corporate Office Headquarters
10550 Talbert Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708-6031 USA


They have 30 days to respond and that period ends June 5th. It will be interesting to see what they have to say. If they blow me off, I'll follow up with the EPA.

Good luck my friend.

 

[Adlereins]

I have the same problem (egr/vvt monitor). It is now in a shop with a dynamometer and has been driven a total of 8 "drive cycles" with no reset in sight. Victorville Hyundai dealer said because there are no "codes" that there is nothing they can do and I "just have to drive it more". I have registered a complaint with BAR here in CA and just filed a case with Hyundai with a nice lady named Lindsay. My shop ( A-Action Automotive) is doing their best and I do trust them. They are also in contact with BAR and the state referee which just happens to be in my locale. Looks like a "hurry up & wait" time right now. I'll post again when I receive any response from anybody. Till then,
Adlereins
>2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 GT<

 

[Adlereins]

Shop got back to me today. Referee said that I have to make sure the latest software update has been done on car. Victorville Hyundai said they will check and if it is up to date, no charge. If not, $120 to re-flash. Is this a warrantable item? If they re-flash, then I have to start all over again with drive cycles
Appt. made for Tues 5/31. We shall see.

 

[qcjacobo]

[UPDATE]
Hopefully this helps some folks on here but the codes on my vehicle required for smog are now setting. Would be interested to hear if anyone else tries the same and gets it working. Essentially I took the vehicle to Commerce Hyundai and the manager there stated that with some of the Genesis vehicles, the cold start drive cycle does not work and has to be running 4-5 min idling upon cold start...so essentially a warm start. At that point, putting the car on a dyno or simply driving should work...did in my case. Most don't let their car warm up that long during regular driving...as such the codes do not set. He also said the recommended drive cycle is crazy and almost impossible to do. I still am under the 2 year waiver with the referee. Lastly, when changing the battery, do not let them fully disconnect power...will cause the problem to reappear.

 

[surfmountie]

I have a 2010 with 3.8L in Calif. Won't pass smog test due to "VVT system not ready". According to the smog folks, this car does not have an EGR system so it's the VVT. Believes the system needs to be reset by driving it. Hasn't worked. Hesitant about going to the Hyundai dealer because they are unsure about it after I called them. Any ideas?

 

[Mark_888]

I have a 2010 with 3.8L in Calif. Won't pass smog test due to "VVT system not ready". According to the smog folks, this car does not have an EGR system so it's the VVT. Believes the system needs to be reset by driving it. Hasn't worked. Hesitant about going to the Hyundai dealer because they are unsure about it after I called them. Any ideas?

Someone posted the drive cycle procedure to reset the system on page 1 of this thread. It looks like it is unlikely to be completed by just "normal" driving, no matter how long you drive it.

If I lived in the Peoples Republic of California and my Genesis could not pass the emissions test for that reason, I would consider selling the car out of state.

 

[balfor]

It is very concerning that this is happening with both '09 and '10 cars. I wonder if future years are also affected? In CA if your car can't pass smog it is basically worthless as you can't sell it or register it.

There is a 8 year/80k mile CA emission warranty on some components so there might be some coverage. I think the California air resources board (CARB) would also be very interested in non-compliant cars driving around in light of the VW scandal.

 

[Mark_888]

It is very concerning that this is happening with both '09 and '10 cars. I wonder if future years are also affected? In CA if your car can't pass smog it is basically worthless as you can't sell it or register it.

Based on comments from other members of this forum who have replaced their battery, it only affects early versions of the Genesis. Not sure exactly when they made the change.

 

[Valkyrie]

Solution to the Genesis OBD II Problem

I did get a solution to my problem with my 2010 Genesis. You can go back and read my two prior posts regarding my complaint with the EPA and formal complaint and request for Hyundai to correct the problem. In brief, the EPA suggested I file a complaint with Hyundai. The owner's manual states that formal complaints s/b filed with the dealer. I was not happy with my dealer so I filed it with the regional office - and got no response. So before I made a federal case of this, I decided that I should follow the manual to the letter. So I filed the formal complaint with the dealer and demanded that I receive written confirmation that they will reset my OBD-II system for no charge in the future. The dealer (Alexander's Hyundai in Oxnard CA) did respond and provided me with written confirmation that they would reset it in the future with out charge. The only way I see them trying to get out of this now is to state that the OBD-II is only warrantied for 8 years. If they try that, I'll argue (believe me, I'll press harder than they will ever imagine) that the OBD-II was defective right out of the factory. I don't believe they will have a case.

Hope this helps. Good luck to all.

 

[smwalker]

I recently had the same issue with a 3.8 Borreo and was able to find the attached drive cycle that worked on the first try. Would be interesting to know if it worked on the 3.8 genesis as well:

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[dtevescar]

Just tried to have my 2011 Genesis smogged....guess what...egr/vvt not ready for test...Harbor Hyundai in Long Beach say they will try to cycle it, but it will cost you at least $120.00 to get process started....If the onboard computer is not working correctly, I think that it should be fixed for no charge....the warrantee for that equipment is 80,000 miles. I have a case number from Hyundai, will see if anything is done on a corporate level response to this problem....!!

 

[surfmountie]

Just tried to have my 2011 Genesis smogged....guess what...egr/vvt not ready for test...Harbor Hyundai in Long Beach say they will try to cycle it, but it will cost you at least $120.00 to get process started....If the onboard computer is not working correctly, I think that it should be fixed for no charge....the warrantee for that equipment is 80,000 miles. I have a case number from Hyundai, will see if anything is done on a corporate level response to this problem....!!

I had the same issue. $120 later it was fixed. /apparently, if the battery is disconnected for any reason, the car must be put through paces emulating varying type of driving.
I had to take the car to an independent garage that specializes in smog prep. Hyundai couldn't and wouldn't fix it.

 

[smwalker]

.If the onboard computer is not working correctly, I think that it should be fixed for no charge....the warrantee for that equipment is 80,000 miles. I have a case number from Hyundai, will see if anything is done on a corporate level response to this problem....!!

Well that's the thing it is working correctly so there is nothing to fix really is what they will come back with. You have just not created the exact driving sequence needed to set the monitor. As you can see from the Borrego drive cycle I posted a few messages ago who really goes from 45 to 55 to 45 9 times in a row in 3 seconds intervals of regular driving.

Good luck with corporate. IF they wont budge on the issue I would be glad to come down and try the borrego drive cycle with you on your car. I have a scanner so we could see if it took right away. Couldn't hurt unless of course we get rear ended on the freeway going from 55 to 45 every 3 seconds.

 

[Mark_888]

Well that's the thing it is working correctly so there is nothing to fix really is what they will come back with. You have just not created the exact driving sequence needed to set the monitor.

Hyundai changed the drive sequence requirements after 2009 so that are not nearly as onerous. So it is a matter of opinion as to whether there is something wrong with the 2009 requirements.

Fortunately, this does not affect the pollution inspections in most other states, only a few like the Peoples Republic of California.

 

[balfor]

Just tried to have my 2011 Genesis smogged....guess what...egr/vvt not ready for test...Harbor Hyundai in Long Beach say they will try to cycle it, but it will cost you at least $120.00 to get process started....If the onboard computer is not working correctly, I think that it should be fixed for no charge....the warrantee for that equipment is 80,000 miles. I have a case number from Hyundai, will see if anything is done on a corporate level response to this problem....!!

If you are less than 80k miles I would file a complaint with CARB (CA air resources board), they will likely jump on this issue as manufacturers not meeting CA spec are under big-time scrutiny (see VW).

 

[dtevescar]

Your kia readiness test worked for me!! I have a 2011 genesis with 67000 miles...it had the dreaded egr/vvt not ready readout...i don't have the obdii hand held monitor so i did the kia drive routine, and then went back to the smog testing company, expecting a "no pass", but, surprise, surprise the vvt/egr monitor was reset!! Passed the smog!!! Hyundai was of no use, i contacted corporate and after they finally talked to my dealer, told me the service writer said bring it in and it will cost you $120.00 to see if we can get it to reset.....i am still upset with hyundai corporate after their lame attempt to help....the dealer is harbor hyundai, service writer is scott jones...this is a person who does not advocate for us...his aim is to do as little as possible for each and every customer.

 

[smwalker]

NICE!!! Very glad it worked for you. I was not sure if it would work with all the KIA/Hyundai 3.8's but I would bet it does now that you confirmed it worked for yours. Hope this will help other and keep money out of the dealers pocket. Just be very careful when attempting it on the roads. I suggest late at night with a partner to walk you through the acceleration deceleration steps.

- - - Updated - - -

Hyundai changed the drive sequence requirements after 2009 so that are not nearly as onerous. So it is a matter of opinion as to whether there is something wrong with the 2009 requirements.

Many manufacturers who have this issue usually release an update to the ECU with a routine that will allow the setting of the monitor more easily. With the Borrego only seeing one model year there are by no means enough complaints to issue a recall. But if you add up all the 3.8's from kia and Hyundaia they may eventually do something to make the monitors easy to set. Until then we got this drive cycle now and above all do not swap out a battery without a 12 volt power pack plugged into the OBDII plug to keep the ECM memory alive so it wont forget the monitor. In addition if you ever get a check engine light ask the shop to fix whatever is wrong but not to clear the codes. You may drive out of there with a check engine light still on but it will eventually go if they fixed the issue correctly. The key is the monitors wont be reset.

 

[Mark_888]

Many manufacturers who have this issue usually release an update to the ECU with a routine that will allow the setting of the monitor more easily. With the Borrego only seeing one model year there are by no means enough complaints to issue a recall. But if you add up all the 3.8's from kia and Hyundaia they may eventually do something to make the monitors easy to set. Until then we got this drive cycle now and above all do not swap out a battery without a 12 volt power pack plugged into the OBDII plug to keep the ECM memory alive so it wont forget the monitor. In addition if you ever get a check engine light ask the shop to fix whatever is wrong but not to clear the codes. You may drive out of there with a check engine light still on but it will eventually go if they fixed the issue correctly. The key is the monitors wont be reset.

I changed the battery on my 2009 Genesis (with no power to my car for a period of time) and had no problem with the inspection soon after that. But that is because I don't live in California, where they are very strict if there is any information missing.

Having read about this problem in previous threads on this forum, I am pretty sure that Hyundai changed the drive sequence requirements after 2009 (or maybe part way through the 2009 model year) to fix the California problem (still requires a drive sequence, but not nearly as onerous). I am not aware of any update that Hyundai made available to the ECU to fix it for 2009 owners in California.

 

[dougmcp]

I live in California and have not had any issues with the Genesis but I also own a VW Passat and am more than familiar with the drive cycle to get the car ready for smog testing. The reason is you can't just reset the system and drive over to the smog test and expect it to pass, nor can the dealer set it up, it requires the car to go through it's own sequence of miles driven at certain speeds, number of heating cycles etc. Depending on where you go after resetting I've seen mine take as much as a week and a half of driving to get to the ready state. It does require a certain amount of low speed and a certain amount of over 50 MPH speed to accomplish all these. Blaming the dealer for an inability to correct your car and get it to pass is wrong, they would still have to drive it as well and that would be a simple hourly charge.
For those having problems or wondering when it is fully ready you can use a simple $10 Bluetooth OBDll (Elm327) device that plugs into the OBDll port and download the Torque app for free. It along with other things will tell you exactly when it's ready for smog or which parameter it is still waiting for.

 

[Mark_888]

I live in California and have not had any issues with the Genesis but I also own a VW Passat and am more than familiar with the drive cycle to get the car ready for smog testing. The reason is you can't just reset the system and drive over to the smog test and expect it to pass, nor can the dealer set it up, it requires the car to go through it's own sequence of miles driven at certain speeds, number of heating cycles etc. Depending on where you go after resetting I've seen mine take as much as a week and a half of driving to get to the ready state. It does require a certain amount of low speed and a certain amount of over 50 MPH speed to accomplish all these. Blaming the dealer for an inability to correct your car and get it to pass is wrong, they would still have to drive it as well and that would be a simple hourly charge.
For those having problems or wondering when it is fully ready you can use a simple $10 Bluetooth OBDll (Elm327) device that plugs into the OBDll port and download the Torque app for free. It along with other things will tell you exactly when it's ready for smog or which parameter it is still waiting for.

If you had a 2009 Genesis, you would have had the problem. Hyundai changed the procedure starting in 2010 (or maybe part way through the 2009 model year). Owners of an early 2009 Genesis in California have driven their car for a year since a battery change, and still not gotten their car to pass the California inspection. This is documented in this and other threads in this forum. Read the title of this thread--it specifically refers to a 2009 Genesis.