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Thread: Referred to state referee at Smog check

  1. #1

    Referred to state referee at Smog check

    I went to get my Evo 9 smog checked and the tech told me he could not do the test. When he scanned my vin and input my plate number the message "this vehicle can only be certified by a referee" came on the screen. The car has never failed a previous smog check and nothing has changed since the last test I passed.
    I talked to another Evo owner who has a smog check due soon and it also states on the dmv website an inspection at the referee is required.
    Are evolutions being flagged by the DMV?


  2. #2
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Any fix-it tickets in the past?

    if you have that might be it. Not sure if the Evo have been placed down like to the Civic to do random Ref smogs.

    I wish you luck.
    R.I.P. Sammy: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=1 21610.msg8407077#msg8407077<br /><br />Mobile Wheel Repair in San Diego: MZM Rimshine: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=8 8447.msg7802233#msg7802233<br /><br />Good price for parts: http://www.socalevo.net/forum/index.php?topic=97342.0

  3. #3
    I have never had any kind of ticket ever and the past smog checks were done legit.
    Thank you.

    Quote Originally Posted by nicklulu View Post
    Any fix-it tickets in the past?

    if you have that might be it. Not sure if the Evo have been placed down like to the Civic to do random Ref smogs.

    I wish you luck.

  4. #4
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Specialist View Post
    I have never had any kind of ticket ever and the past smog checks were done legit.
    Thank you.

    I guess then you got random.

    If you pass visual and your tune is not too bad you should be OK.

    When I had my X I kept my intake,exhaust and it passed visual... the Stage 1+ tune I had I kept it on the car and it passed the smog diganostics.

    If you plan to flash the OE tune .... you would need to run the car for a while to relearn everything.
    R.I.P. Sammy: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=1 21610.msg8407077#msg8407077<br /><br />Mobile Wheel Repair in San Diego: MZM Rimshine: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=8 8447.msg7802233#msg7802233<br /><br />Good price for parts: http://www.socalevo.net/forum/index.php?topic=97342.0

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by nicklulu View Post
    I guess then you got random.

    If you pass visual and your tune is not too bad you should be OK.

    When I had my X I kept my intake,exhaust and it passed visual... the Stage 1+ tune I had I kept it on the car and it passed the smog diganostics.

    If you plan to flash the OE tune .... you would need to run the car for a while to relearn everything.
    They are doing this based on the model of the car? I have never heard of anyone being told they have to go to a referee just based on scanning a vin. I was first thinking the guy doing the test somehow failed me on purpose but it seems like that's not the case. The car was also tuned the last two smog checks and the exhaust is a 3 inch resonated magnaflow that is stock appearing. I am just going to put my car back to stock and leave it. It seems like this state is getting more strict and its too much of a risk of this happening again in two years.

    Thanks for the reply.

  6. #6
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Not a problem, stay healthy and safe!
    R.I.P. Sammy: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=1 21610.msg8407077#msg8407077<br /><br />Mobile Wheel Repair in San Diego: MZM Rimshine: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=8 8447.msg7802233#msg7802233<br /><br />Good price for parts: http://www.socalevo.net/forum/index.php?topic=97342.0

  7. #7
    I found the issue. If you have any kind of tune now at a smog check you get referred to the ref. https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ww...d.php?t=749600

  8. #8
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Specialist View Post
    I found the issue. If you have any kind of tune now at a smog check you get referred to the ref. https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ww...d.php?t=749600
    I read through the thread. I Had a X and used a Cobb AP for the stage 1+ tune, the ROM did not throw a flag

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by nicklulu View Post
    I read through the thread. I Had a X and used a Cobb AP for the stage 1+ tune, the ROM did not throw a flag
    Maybe the 10s are not affected as much, the thread says people are passing and then receiving a letter a few months later saying they have to see a ref.

  10. #10
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    That's definitely new

  11. #11
    That is why I'm not going through this in another two years and going back to stock. Its too much of a hassle.

  12. #12
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Specialist View Post
    That is why I'm not going through this in another two years and going back to stock. Its too much of a hassle.
    Well.........

  13. #13
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    Same thing happened to me on my evo 9. Scheduled for a "Virtual" visit on the 28th. See how it goes

  14. #14
    A virtual visit to the ref? How does that work?

  15. #15
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tasco View Post
    Same thing happened to me on my evo 9. Scheduled for a "Virtual" visit on the 28th. See how it goes
    WTH?! I done that before, but they usually asks for my credit card FIRST and they ask me what they want me to call them!

    ROFL!
    R.I.P. Sammy: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=1 21610.msg8407077#msg8407077<br /><br />Mobile Wheel Repair in San Diego: MZM Rimshine: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=8 8447.msg7802233#msg7802233<br /><br />Good price for parts: http://www.socalevo.net/forum/index.php?topic=97342.0

  16. #16
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    No idea what its about, apparently they do that first before an in person. I guess its due to COVID-19

  17. #17
    What was the outcome of your virtual vist?

  18. #18
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    Any update on this? I need as much info as possible please.

    WTH! Found my "very stock" X MR has to visit referee when I was in for smog. It looks like they have a crack down campaign on tuned ecu. I called in and they made me a "phone call" appointment first. They sent me a PDF document basically saying that they think my ecu is modified (copied and pasted below). Very sh!tty. It looks like the future of our tuning cars in California will be gone soon. Just a special downpipe with tuned for 91 and e85. My options are either (1) put back the downpipe and flash the oem tune back (2) sell the car to another out of state enthusiasm. The car is well taken care of and clean, hate to let it go. Below is the text content from the ref PDF email:

    The software in your vehicle’s engine management computer doesn’t match what the vehicle manufacturer produced. If it has modified programing, it is likely due to the computer being flashed with an illegal software program. Once an illegal flash has been programmed into a vehicle computer, restoring the correct flash can be difficult and complicated. Some flashes can also modify or damage the programming on other modules in the vehicle, such as ABS or Air bag control modules. If that is the case, these modules may need to be replaced or reprogrammed. In some cases, the only way to correct the problem is to purchase a new computer and have the dealer install the correct flash.
    FOR SUBMITTING PROOF OF REPAIRS/CORRECTIONS TO THE REFEREE:
    BY FAX: 916-244-2629
    BY EMAIL: [email protected]
    Please add your name, telephone number, license plate number and allow up to 3 business days to be processed and contacted by phone.

  19. #19
    Canyon Racer nicklulu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by G20 View Post
    Any update on this? I need as much info as possible please.

    WTH! Found my "very stock" X MR has to visit referee when I was in for smog. It looks like they have a crack down campaign on tuned ecu. I called in and they made me a "phone call" appointment first. They sent me a PDF document basically saying that they think my ecu is modified (copied and pasted below). Very sh!tty. It looks like the future of our tuning cars in California will be gone soon. Just a special downpipe with tuned for 91 and e85. My options are either (1) put back the downpipe and flash the oem tune back (2) sell the car to another out of state enthusiasm. The car is well taken care of and clean, hate to let it go. Below is the text content from the ref PDF email:

    The software in your vehicle’s engine management computer doesn’t match what the vehicle manufacturer produced. If it has modified programing, it is likely due to the computer being flashed with an illegal software program. Once an illegal flash has been programmed into a vehicle computer, restoring the correct flash can be difficult and complicated. Some flashes can also modify or damage the programming on other modules in the vehicle, such as ABS or Air bag control modules. If that is the case, these modules may need to be replaced or reprogrammed. In some cases, the only way to correct the problem is to purchase a new computer and have the dealer install the correct flash.
    FOR SUBMITTING PROOF OF REPAIRS/CORRECTIONS TO THE REFEREE:
    BY FAX: 916-244-2629
    BY EMAIL: [email protected]
    Please add your name, telephone number, license plate number and allow up to 3 business days to be processed and contacted by phone.
    What did you use to flash your ECU?!
    R.I.P. Sammy: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=1 21610.msg8407077#msg8407077<br /><br />Mobile Wheel Repair in San Diego: MZM Rimshine: http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?option=com_smf&amp;Itemid=37&amp;topic=8 8447.msg7802233#msg7802233<br /><br />Good price for parts: http://www.socalevo.net/forum/index.php?topic=97342.0

  20. #20
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    Tactrix 2.0 cable for the X.

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