DC inspection with dashboard light on

[Anonymous]

I have a warning light on my car for a rear light failure: as best I can tell there is no failure and something is wrong with the warning light/sensor. If I take it in for my DC safety inspection is it just going to automatically fail?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Even if it's a false warning, they will fail it because a false safety warning means you won't know if a rear light does fail.

[Anonymous]

You can get an OBD-2 scanner and reset the check engine light. The scanner allows you to erase the error codes saved in the car’s computer; upon erasing the errors the check engine light will turn off. I’ve done this with my ancient Subaru, which has a weird emission issue due to faulty sensors. It’s no big deal.

This is the one I use:
ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool-Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G5EA74I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_K3LZCbA5YPMTN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a warning light on my car for a rear light failure: as best I can tell there is no failure and something is wrong with the warning light/sensor. If I take it in for my DC safety inspection is it just going to automatically fail?

You should be fine. DC inspections are for emissions compliance, unlike the surrounding jurisdictions that have more comprehensive safety inspections.

Is the car a Volvo? They are the only cars I know of that have the “bulb failure indicator” light, and mine was definitely lit up at a past DC inspection due to some undiagnosed electrical gremlin. Still passed, though...

[Anonymous]

You can also get an OBD2 readout for free from the local auto parts stores. They can reset the light too. Do not do it the same day you are going in for inspection. It takes a few engine cycles and some driving for the car to adjust the emissions values. If you get inspected right away you will get an automatic failure and have to come back for a new reading.

[Anonymous]

In Virginia an engine light is not an inspection item. It only applies to emissions which would cause a fail. If its diff in DC I am not sure, emissions and inspections two different things. Emissions usually tied to vehicle registration aka license plate renewal. Inspections is sticker in the window that means brakes and lights work a check engine is not part of that inspection list

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can also get an OBD2 readout for free from the local auto parts stores. They can reset the light too. Do not do it the same day you are going in for inspection. It takes a few engine cycles and some driving for the car to adjust the emissions values. If you get inspected right away you will get an automatic failure and have to come back for a new reading.

Not true. I just did it the same day earlier this year with my ancient 1999 Subaru. I reset the check engine light the same morning as my inspection at the DC DMV at the SW Inspection Facility. There were zero issues with resetting the same day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Virginia an engine light is not an inspection item. It only applies to emissions which would cause a fail. If its diff in DC I am not sure, emissions and inspections two different things. Emissions usually tied to vehicle registration aka license plate renewal. Inspections is sticker in the window that means brakes and lights work a check engine is not part of that inspection list

DC does emissions and inspection of mechanical integrity all at the same time at the DMV facility in SW DC. If you have a check engine light activated in DC, you get an automatic failure. When you pass, you get the paper inspection sticker adhered to the lower corner of your windshield. Only 5 more years until my old car is "vintage" and I don't need to do an inspection!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can also get an OBD2 readout for free from the local auto parts stores. They can reset the light too. Do not do it the same day you are going in for inspection. It takes a few engine cycles and some driving for the car to adjust the emissions values. If you get inspected right away you will get an automatic failure and have to come back for a new reading.

Not true. I just did it the same day earlier this year with my ancient 1999 Subaru. I reset the check engine light the same morning as my inspection at the DC DMV at the SW Inspection Facility. There were zero issues with resetting the same day.

Lucky you or perhaps you drove enough between reset and inspection. I’ve been failed automatically with multiple cars that had recently been reset. The inspector said it happens frequently and I had to bring it back in for reinspection (it was quicker as all they needed to check was the OBD faults)

[Anonymous]

OP here - The DC website says that you will be unable to test if "The red engine light is on". I'm hoping the Volvo driver above that had my same problem is correct. I have a Camry.

[Anonymous]

OP again, just wanted to report back: they did not care. My car passed.

[Anonymous]

Good to hear. They do actually plug in their own scanner, if the check engine fault is not related to emissions you are fine.

[Anonymous]

There were zero issues with resetting the same day.

PP it varies. Each car can function a little different. The poster's answer was not wrong