Chevy & GMC Vans

potskie wrote:

GnarliSafari wrote:so in canada you guys can purchase car repair insurance?

Car insurance in BC is a little different. IIRC you get your car insurance from a crown owned company( so the province). But to renew your insurance and plates you need to pass aircare. This is how I understand it from my buddy who has brought back at least a half dozen vehicles from there on his many misadventures to and from BC.

In ontario and most of the more normal provinces you need to pass emissions testing to renew your stickers or tags.

tbhager94 wrote:

potskie wrote:

GnarliSafari wrote:so in canada you guys can purchase car repair insurance?

Car insurance in BC is a little different. IIRC you get your car insurance from a crown owned company( so the province). But to renew your insurance and plates you need to pass aircare. This is how I understand it from my buddy who has brought back at least a half dozen vehicles from there on his many misadventures to and from BC.

In ontario and most of the more normal provinces you need to pass emissions testing to renew your stickers or tags.

what do you mean by normal ????

i live in saskatchewan and we dont have any type of aircare.

v8famvan wrote:As I am a certified AirCare technician I can shed some light on this.....

1998 & newer vehicles only get a scan test.
1) If there is a pending code (no light on yet) - it fails.
2) If the Malfunction Indicator Light (SES) is on - it fails.
3) If the Inspection Maintenance flags are not set - it fails.

What are Inspection Maintenance flags? :-k
They are a diagnostic parameter in the computer that can be read with a scan tool. These flags set - or turn on - when all the trouble code diagnostic tests have ran & passed for a specfic system ie: Catalyst, EGR, EVAP, AIR, O2 sensors, etc.

When you clear the codes in a OBD II vehicle, the flags also get cleared or reset. As everyone knows, codes are bad - indicating a problem. What not everyone knows is IM flags are good - indicating everything is properly functioning.

So, clearing your codes & then trying to go thru AirCare will get you a fail. It takes time for the IM flags to set again after a codes clear.

My recommendation - If you have an O2 sensor codes that will be corrected with an O2 sensor replacement, then replace the O2 sensor. Drive the vehicle for a day or 2, get your vehicle scanned to see if there are any pending codes & if your IM flags have all reset. Any AirCare shop or competent technician can do this for you. If it scans good then go thru AirCare & you will be guaranteed a pass.

potskie wrote: In ontario and most of the more normal provinces you need to pass emissions testing to renew your stickers or tags.

Oh the can of worms you opened by saying "normal". Here in BC it is the same. Pass emissions and then get your stickers. If you do fail the emissions they give you a grace period to get things fixed for a re-test. If you still fail you can get more time by showing that you had a qualified aircare tech take a lookie at the vehicle

They need to think of something better and more fair as well. My friend who worked for 15 years with aircare has many stories of the things he see's owners try to get emissions when clearly it will not fail.

blk lt awd wrote: i'm guessing you guys don't care about the ABS light......

Pulling codes should be able to tell you what is wrong. Have it read
Have you checked your brake fluid?