I recently left my lights on all night (idiot) and my battery died. I jumped the S from my daily driver and everything's charged back up again, but I had a CEL from it.

Knowing the CEL wasn't anything major, I disconnected the neg battery terminal for a moment to clear it, then took my car to get an inspection.

I failed because some of the emissions controls in the ECU stated "Not Ready" since I recently reset it, like O2, Catalyst, and Evap. How much driving should I do before I attempt to take it back for inspection? Do I need to drive a specific distance, speed, and turn the car off an on a few times? Do I need to set the cruise control or anything like that?

 

If the o2 is showing not ready, its likely bad and will throw a code sooner or later

 

Most likely not. I never had a CEL before my battery died. And state inspection showed (3) Not Ready codes were discovered because I had reset my ECU only 5 minutes before I took my car to the shop.

(Shop is across the street from my home)

 

If you think that's what it is, just drive the car for 10 mins then take it back.

But I know for a fact OBD2 ready codes are generated at startup, not after a time delay.

 

Normal. It sometimes takes up to a week and 100 miles to set readiness

 

My question is, what conditions tell the ECU components that they are "Ready" status? I know on some vehicles there are a number of things you can do in sequence. Simply "driving for a hundred miles over a week" isn't concrete enough information to know if the ECU is Ready.

I have to get state inspection and don't want to waste more money if it's going to throw more Not Ready codes.

 

Incorrect.

The fact is that in order for the ECU to show all systems "ready" the car has to go through at least 3 drive cycles to show all systems are "ready" This means that you have to drive the car to normal operating temp, let it cool and repeat at least 3 times, this can be accomplished through normal daily driving of the car, give it a few days or a whole week and take it back and you will be ok.

 

Thank you.

 

There is a specific driving sequence to set the "ready" signal. If your daily drive is urban with lots of speed changes, you can go for MONTHS without "readying" the sensors. Ask me how I know.

Anyway, the exact ready drive sequence is listed in the back of the owner's manual. Manuals are available online through American Honda.

 

THANK YOU!