Smog Referee Hell

[Zygote55]

Originally Posted by MattH

As I reported here, I failed the first go around with the smog referee because the software security checksum codes didn't match the factory BMW code.

I have to take my 2011 135i to a STAR station in the next couple of months. I've been running MHD, but uninstalled it to prepare for the SMOG test. I noticed that after uninstalling MHD and checking for codes it displays the checksums... which don't match. I'm concerned that I'm going to run into the same issue as you. Has anybody actually had recent luck uninstalling a tune and passing SMOG?

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Zygote55

I have to take my 2011 135i to a STAR station in the next couple of months. I've been running MHD, but uninstalled it to prepare for the SMOG test. I noticed that after uninstalling MHD and checking for codes it displays the checksums... which don't match. I'm concerned that I'm going to run into the same issue as you. Has anybody actually had recent luck uninstalling a tune and passing SMOG?

Did you uninstall and install the tune you originally backed up? I have a theory the issue is because the original backed up tune isn't being used and instead a "stock" tune provided by MHD is being used (somebody else mentioned this might be the issue somewhere as well).

[Zygote55]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Did you uninstall and install the tune you originally backed up? I have a theory the issue is because the original backed up tune isn't being used and instead a "stock" tune provided by MHD is being used (somebody else mentioned this might be the issue somewhere as well).

I'm not even sure how to do that... Doesn't it automatically back up your stock tune when you install MHD? My understanding was that the stock tune was backed up when MHD is installed, then restored when MHD is uninstalled.

This raises another question I hadn't considered - where is it actually storing the stock tune? I've changed phones since originally installing MHD so it's likely I've lost my stock tune forever.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Zygote55

I'm not even sure how to do that... Doesn't it automatically back up your stock tune when you install MHD? My understanding was that the stock tune was backed up when MHD is installed, then restored when MHD is uninstalled.

This raises another question I hadn't considered - where is it actually storing the stock tune? I've changed phones since originally installing MHD so it's likely I've lost my stock tune forever.

I would assume that it's stored on the hardware that was used to backup the stock tune originally, especially since their instructions are to have the tablet/phone etc in airplane mode while using MHD.

Saying that, this might explain why you are seeing the checksums that don't match.

I'm going to revert to stock tune this afternoon to check since I've only ever had one device I've used with MHD.

Are the checksums automatically shown after checking for codes?

[houtan]

Originally Posted by Zygote55

I have to take my 2011 135i to a STAR station in the next couple of months. I've been running MHD, but uninstalled it to prepare for the SMOG test. I noticed that after uninstalling MHD and checking for codes it displays the checksums... which don't match. I'm concerned that I'm going to run into the same issue as you. Has anybody actually had recent luck uninstalling a tune and passing SMOG?

Seems like wee need to reach out to MHD Tuning or Twisted Tuning

[houtan]

I made a post in the MHD 1 series thread. Hopefully we get a response there.

[Zygote55]

Originally Posted by houtan

I made a post in the MHD 1 series thread. Hopefully we get a response there.

Thanks.

Here's a screenshot from MHD. You can see the "Factory software" and "Current software" when you check for codes. I assume these are supposed to match and they don't because I uninstalled MHD from a different device than I originally installed it with.

[houtan]

Can you please post this on the e90post MHD thread? That’s the only way to get a response. Or anyone that has ran into this issue, that is the best place to get this answered. I would do it but the issue hasn’t occurred for me so I am not the best person to articulate what happened.

[Zygote55]

Update: I had no issue passing SMOG with the mismatched software numbers.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Zygote55

Update: I had no issue passing SMOG with the mismatched software numbers.

Wow, ok so that theory is probably out. Damn.
We need to get someone in here that actually administers these tests to try to make sense of what's going on.

[Zygote55]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Wow, ok so that theory is probably out. Damn.
We need to get someone in here that actually administers these tests to try to make sense of what's going on.

Or, more likely, the guy who started this thread isn't being completely honest and he failed for normal, legitimate reasons like visual inspection, emissions not in readiness state, etc.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Zygote55

Or, more likely, the guy who started this thread isn't being completely honest and he failed for normal, legitimate reasons like visual inspection, emissions not in readiness state, etc.

Two more people chimed in that they ran into the same problem though.

[MattH]

Originally Posted by Zygote55

Or, more likely, the guy who started this thread isn't being completely honest and he failed for normal, legitimate reasons like visual inspection, emissions not in readiness state, etc.

Zygote, what am I not being honest about? I posted everything that happened plus a retrospect of where I went wrong. Maybe re-read this thread before you call me dishonest.

Like I made this all up to be without my car for two and half months, pay extra $1800 for smog test? Seriously, what is your theory on my motivation for posting this? I need attention or something? Think first, then post, it's pretty easy.

[MattH]

Originally Posted by MattH

Zygote, what am I not being honest about? I posted everything that happened plus a retrospect of where I went wrong. Maybe re-read this thread before you call me dishonest.

Like I made this all up to be without my car for two and half months, pay extra $1800 for smog test? Seriously, what is your theory on my motivation for posting this? I need attention or something? Think first, then post, it's pretty easy.

...and...and what I haven't told you yet: The new Wagner catted DP is now throwing CEL codes. So I am far from this being over and settled. Glad I made all this up tho.

[Jeef]

Originally Posted by MattH

...and...and what I haven't told you yet: The new Wagner catted DP is now throwing CEL codes. So I am far from this being over and settled. Glad I made all this up tho.

how long was the catted downpipe on for?

[MattH]

Originally Posted by Jeef

how long was the catted downpipe on for?

Well, in three months and I need to smog my car again, man that was a stressful time when I posted this, lessons learned.

New cat still throws the cel pretty much immediately and never went away after two years. Since pandemic I drive 90% less, no track days, no meets, no commutes.

I think this guy zygote sucks. This is why I don't social media, mf's like that.

[jsciam]

Originally Posted by MattH

Well, in three months and I need to smog my car again, man that was a stressful time when I posted this, lessons learned.

New cat still throws the cel pretty much immediately and never went away after two years. Since pandemic I drive 90% less, no track days, no meets, no commutes.

I think this guy zygote sucks. This is why I don't social media, mf's like that.

Matt, sorry to hear about all that headache. CA sucks. I spent a whole day putting my catted downpipes back on, and doing the drive cycle, resetting MHD to stage 0, but I just failed the smog for having an N55 midpipe.

I've owned modded BMW's for a decade and have never had a smog tech jack the car up to check for the secondary cats... now I'm flagged and need to get some cats welded in the mids.

I'm wondering if my car is flagged forever now? Will all future smog techs see that I didn't have secondary cats at one point and my car was "tampered" with?

[lvblkjack]

Looks like aftermarket tune is going to be an issue going forward. I wonder if DIY PPK or MHD reset to stock would pass.

https://www.bar.ca.gov/Consumer/Smog...eck%20station.

[houtan]

I heard about this. Crazy. So I’m wondering if they see the car has 98G0 be installed it’ll be fine or if they can see MHD is installed as well. Hopefully some of us will get some experience and share what happened.

[2one3E90]

Is it worse to have a tune for smog? or no secondary cats and modified exhaust for smog? This should answer alot of people's questions for future mods and help other owners debating whats better in california.

[nacaruh]

I recently passed mine without any issue, reverted stock intake, CP, DP, and removed JB4/uninstalled MHD. I had a different software version, but I don't think it matters. FMIC was still on, and no second cats. Just getting that drive cycle was a PITA. GL!

[Walker16]

I failed at the referee 3 times before i realized it was my m3 gauge cluster causing the problem. It was giving a checksum error that wasn't matching what came from the factory. Swapped the cluster back to the stock one and it passed no problem. California smog is getting out of hand!!