My Rav4 2002 just failed the emissions test, what could be the cause? Not Ready showed up 4 times on sheet

no info generic answer depending on vehicle p1773 has different meanings C2116 is an abs fault your test sheet will show reason for failure A I M is safety also look at sheet and or notify them as to reason your unknown vehicle failed

YOU DICNNECTED THE BATTERY BEFOR THE TEST THAT IS FOR SURE, NOW YOU MUST PERFROM A DRIVE CYCLE TO LET THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE RUN THROUGH IT MANY CHECKS OF THE EMISSION SYSTEM

Hi Paul@ FIREFOX,
The most common cause is the engine is not upto working temp.failing this you will need to use an O.B.D 2 meter to pin point fault this will flag up a fault code it works out alot cheaper than changing parts to cure the fault hope this helps....

the computer meters fuel based on a signal from the coolant temperature sensor. The check engine light sometimes does not come on when the sensor fails.If the sensor is causing your problem you will have a strong odor of gasoline when the car starts,It will be slow to start the first time, turn it off and it will start right up. lol

There are a lot of issues with this error. Some people are finding that the ecm (main computer) needs to be replaced from corrosion. Others are finding that the ECM can be flashed to another year to fix it. Some are finding corrosion on the connectios. There is a lot of info about it on this page: http://www.sebringclub.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=11337

Probably not a cheap fix.
The car will not pass the test if the light is on during the test.
The light is on when the computer has a problem that will affect emissions or performance.
You would need to have the computer scanned for trouble codes then fix the problem. Once the problem is fixed and the code is erased, the light should stay off.

you can force the engine light to come on with ready or not software (type it in on google) i have this gear. your ecu has to reconise all emmissions sensors data on a 3times in a row before it will complete a full diagnostics cycle.
the ready or not scanner and software will atomatically do everything for you and tell you when everything is ready (so much easier than messing about guessing all the time).
you can also program scanner to your state regulations aswell.think it's about $50 now

hope this helps.

regards, danny

****** your timing so it barely runs and have it tested again, i had to do this on a built motor i had in a pickup a while ago and it worked then. not sure if the testing standards have changed alot since but its an idea.

Has the battery been disconnected, or has it gone dead? Every time the battery is disconnected, all trouble codes are cleared, the check engine light is turned off, and all system monitors are reset. For the monitors to get back to a 'ready' status, the vehicle needs to go through one or more (sometimes quite a few) drive cycles.
When you go to the emission station, they check for codes, AND also check to see how many of your monitors are in a 'ready' status. (This keeps people from disconnecting the battery, and thus clearing any trouble codes, in order to pass emission tests).
If you have not disconnected your battery for a while, but the monitors are still not showing 'ready', you need to have a qualified shop check out your computer and other electronic systems.

What does "not ready" mean?

A service technician will turn off the dashboard "check engine" light after most repairs. This resets the vehicle's emission system components to "not ready". The status remains "not ready" until the vehicle's computer has had adequate time to review the repaired component. This happens after the vehicle is driven for a period of time established by the manufacturer.

If the vehicle's emissions system status is "not ready" when it is presented at the E-Check station during the initial test cycle, a tailpipe emissions test may be conducted. If the vehicle is transferred to another test type, the vehicle must remain on the different test track until the vehicle passes the emissions test or receives a waiver. For example, if the vehicle undergoes an OBD II test and fails, it cannot be downgraded to a tailpipe test on a re-test; the vehicle must pass the OBD II test.

For initial and subsequent tests, if a dashboard light is on when the vehicle is presented at the E-Check station, the vehicle will fail the test.

How can the vehicle status be made ready?

When a vehicle is driven through its normal drive cycle, the computer reviews the emission control
system and if the vehicle was properly repaired, the system resets itself to ready. A normal drive
cycle includes operation at both cruising speeds and in stop-and-go traffic for up to a couple
weeks. This process should be followed before bringing the vehicle in to be tested.