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Smog Check and clearing U0293

5234 Views 19 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  ppvsteve
I'm having issues passing smog in California. Everything is working great on the car and no codes except "U0293:Lost communication with the hybrid powertrain control module". This popped up on the smog report so the station didn't pass me.

I read in the threads and was instructed to run the engine from a cold start many times in a row. I drove in Sport mode from a cold start at least 30 times in a row and U0293 would not clear.

Are any other Cali owners having this issue? How can I clear U0293? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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I'm having issues passing smog in California. Everything is working great on the car and no codes except "U0293:Lost communication with the hybrid powertrain control module". This popped up on the smog report so the station didn't pass me.

I read in the threads and was instructed to run the engine from a cold start many times in a row. I drove in Sport mode from a cold start at least 30 times in a row and U0293 would not clear.

Are any other Cali owners having this issue? How can I clear U0293? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
You need to clear the code with a OBDII scanner first. Then drive the car around the block a few times for it to settle.
Thank you Fabulist. I used a OBDScar OS601 OBD2 Scanner. After using the erase function the U0293 code was still showing in the permanent codes. The scanner is new but not sure if this scanner is up to the job... Is this code erasable? Any recommendations on the right scanner? Thanks.
If it is classified as a permanent code you can not clear it with any scanner........that's why they call it a permanent code. You can however get the Smog Center's computer to ignore it by driving 15-17 warm up cycle drives in Sport mode. Drive about 20 miles in each cycle. If you do the first drive early enough in the day for the car to completely cool down you can do another one late in the day. Otherwise it will take you a couple of weeks of driving to do all the cycles. Private message me if you have any questions.
Pat
I've been dealing with this for a few months. It seems, there is nothing you can do. You'll need to contact the CA BAR referee.

After several 'not ready for testing' smog checks and dozens of drive cycles including trying the warm up tips I found in the forum; Alex at Elite OC helped determine it was a software issue and to contact the smog ref.

However, when I contacted the ref, they said they researched the issue and spoke to Karma, then they advised me that I should take it and have it inspected at the dealership; then get documentation showing 'nothing can be done'.

The issue has to due with a CA emissions change, stating any car 2010 or newer can not have ANY faults stored in the ECM.

I took it to Rusnak in Pasadena. They are familiar with the issue and they were kind enough (they didn't charge me) to look at it and provide the documentation . I now have another appointment with the referee scheduled.

To paraphrase the letter "The car will have to to a BAR referee. Included is a a copy of the KarmaSync DTC showing the U0291 is stored in the CIU which is an infotainment unit, not emissions related (ECM and HCU). There is no update/DTC to correct."


DM me with your email and I can send you a scan.
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This is exactly my issue. I already setup an appt with a BAR referee for December which is the earliest they can get to me. Knowing I need this letter will save me a couple of months of waiting for a second appt... I'll DM you to get the copy of the letter from Rusnak. Thanks aaron0K. It's really great we have this community of owners that have each other's backs!
So far about 20 of my customers have passed smog by following the warm up cycle routine and no referee needed. It is good that it can also be done through a referee. As Fisker owners we always need options..............
It's really great we have this community of owners that have each other's backs!
Agreed. As a fairly recent owner (2 years), searching this site has answered many questions for me. I'm not entirely sure who runs FiskerBuzz; but I'd happily contribute to ensure it remains.
So far about 20 of my customers have passed smog by following the warm up cycle routine and no referee needed.
Does the warm up routine clear the PDTC?

I tried 3 smog check places, every time the tech would first hookup a portable scanner tool, show me the code, tell me to it wasn't ready for testing and to "go drive it 15 more times and come back".

Unfortunately, after 30 cycles/500 miles in sport; I never had any luck.
No, permanent codes are just that, permanent. They can not be cleared by a scanner or driving. That's why they always show up when a smog tech checks them with a portable scanner. They have to actually run the smog test after you do all the necessary drive cycles. If the drive cycles were done properly the smog test will still see the permanent codes but will ignore them and pass you.
If the drive cycles were done properly the smog test will still see the permanent codes but will ignore them and pass you.
I got a call from the ref today, after a long discussion of the documentation Karma provided, etc... he basically said "You need to drive it more, 15 cold start cycles/200 miles minimum. Do another smog test, the refs can see the data uploaded; call them back if it fails." - then I'll need to go through their 'parts locator service'.

I'll add that I also had a motor fan issue (now fixed), so that might have affected my previous "cold start" attempts.

I guess I could be frustrated, though I don't mind having a good excuse to tell the family I need to go out and drive the Karma.
I got a call from the ref today, after a long discussion of the documentation Karma provided, etc... he basically said "You need to drive it more, 15 cold start cycles/200 miles minimum. Do another smog test, the refs can see the data uploaded; call them back if it fails." - then I'll need to go through their 'parts locator service'.

The Karma is my daily driver and I already went through 20 cold starts and about 300 miles... But, I can say not all cold starts were 20 miles long. Most were about 10 miles which took 30 min in traffic. ICE would cycle and shut down as needed during heavy traffic. Does not driving for at least 20 miles per cycle have anything to do with not completing the "15 cold start/200 miles"?

After all the cold starts I went back to retest at the same smog station. He saw U0293 immediately and said he couldn't do anything else until code was cleared.

My ref appt is not til mid December so I'm trying to get ready by going through all the steps Aaron has gone through. So far I think we're both stuck without a workable solution...
Have same issue.. just passed smog with 4 permanent codes .. make sure it’s highway continues drive for not less than 20 miles..
I did 16 cycle and passed .. no referee needed, the computer will pass it automatically ..
I had it tested today; it passed. Not sure if it was fixing the motor fan or just doing additional daily 'cold start' drives for the last two weeks ( >25miles on Sport w/less than 27mile SoC). Logged 900+ miles doing smog drives since May.
I just tested again and passed. Btw, the U0293 code still shows so I'm not sure what changed... I did at least a dozen more drive cycles of 20 miles on the freeway before the second test. My referee appt is tomorrow so instead of haggling with the ref to help pass the car I'll just ask if he/she knows about the issue and what they would have recommended. Thanks for your input guys!
I've been dealing with this for a few months. It seems, there is nothing you can do. You'll need to contact the CA BAR referee.

After several 'not ready for testing' smog checks and dozens of drive cycles including trying the warm up tips I found in the forum; Alex at Elite OC helped determine it was a software issue and to contact the smog ref.

However, when I contacted the ref, they said they researched the issue and spoke to Karma, then they advised me that I should take it and have it inspected at the dealership; then get documentation showing 'nothing can be done'.

The issue has to due with a CA emissions change, stating any car 2010 or newer can not have ANY faults stored in the ECM.

I took it to Rusnak in Pasadena. They are familiar with the issue and they were kind enough (they didn't charge me) to look at it and provide the documentation . I now have another appointment with the referee scheduled.

To paraphrase the letter "The car will have to to a BAR referee. Included is a a copy of the KarmaSync DTC showing the U0291 is stored in the CIU which is an infotainment unit, not emissions related (ECM and HCU). There is no update/DTC to correct."


DM me with your email and I can send you a scan.
is it possible for you to email me letter please
I’ve not had any issues like this. I drive mine on the interstate in sport mode for 40 miles and then got it inspected. Passed with No issues. What software version are you running?
is it possible for you to email me letter please
I can, however it's not going to do you any good. As mentioned, you need to go through the cold cycles and drive it in sport >20 miles before inspection. BAR REF will not help; I tried.

For more anecdotal experience; I just bought another Fisker that was registered PNO because the owner couldn't get it passed CA smog. They had met with the BAR REF and were rejected. After driving it <cough> a few cycles and getting it inspected while warm; it passed the first time (perm fault codes do not matter as long as the check engine is not on).
is it possible for you to email me letter please
Wondering if anyone can help. Have passed two previous Smog tests w/o any issues in past 6 years (Had car 11 + years now). In late December I had my HV battery connector replaced (at Elite) which consequently lost all the driving engine data. Smog guy said" did you have your battery replaced?". He said, needs to be driven more.

Contacted Alex of Elite and he did suggest the 15 Cold Starts and driving at least 200 miles in those processes (that is mentioned in the previous posts). I have put on over 530 miles since the service, at least 300 of that with ICE ON including two 50 miles drives from Cold start, but got Fail again with engine On and warm at time of test (see attached)

Could Roxxy819 send me a copy of the Rusnak Letter (to [email protected]). Many thanks. Font Parallel Pattern Number Symmetry
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Just a note on this. 15 "cold starts" is not accurate to what the BAR rule states. The BAR says 200 miles driven since code clear and 15 "Warm up cycles" is what is needed. Yes that does mean to start it up cold but you have to get the engine up to normal operating temperature for it to count as a warm up cycle. On most cars that means an ECT (Engine coolant Temp) of 160 degrees and they it wants to see a 40 degree difference. So cold start up to 160, down to 120, then up to 160 would be 2 cycles. Best to have a scanner that can monitor when you trip the warm up cycle.

BAR's actual wording: Permanent Diagnostic Trouble Codes
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