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01-11-2021, 07:28 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 512290
Join Date: Mar 2020
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CA State Ref Sucks
Long story short, I got hit with my first state ref for code VC27156(b) ‘Air Pollution Control’, put every stock part back on, and I am now in search of an independent tuning shop that is able to recalibrate the ECU to OEM spec on a 2002 WRX local to the Ventura county area.
I was able to finally get in contact with a ref via “virtual appointment” which took around a few weeks. Sent them the required info: citation and DMV registration form and within a few hours I get an email back saying my car has failed(I HAVEN’T EVEN BROUGHT THE CAR IN YET). Well apparently the ref had an “engineer” look at my most recent SMOG check data from back in March of 2020(which I passed)and they said that they saw my ECU has “modified programming”. Which it most likely did because the previous owner said he had a tune for the catless downpipe that came on the car when I bought it. Now they’re having me give some kind of proof from either a Subaru dealership or an independent shop via invoice that my car has had its ECM recalibrated to a stock map. I called my local Subaru and they said it would be a $235 charge to do that AND they said they might not even be able to do it. Basically I’d have to fork over all that money just to have them see if they’re able to reflash the ECU back to a stock tune. The Subaru advisor said on the phone that there’s “a 20% chance that we’d be able to do it” I know I could go anywhere or even buy a tactrix cable and reflash a stock map by myself but the thing is they NEED proof from a shop that it’s been reverted in order to make an in-person appointment with the ref to do the visual inspection and ultimately get the certificate for the car saying it passed. If anyone knows a tuning shop local to Ventura county that is 100% able to revert the stock ECU back to OEM calibration please let me know. Other advice on the matter is welcome too. Thanks. )
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01-12-2021, 11:26 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 192
Join Date: Aug 1999
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Las Vegas, NV.
Vehicle:2011 WRX, 05 FOZ XT, 00 Impreza 2.5RS |
You gotta play by the rules. Ive heard Documentation needs to be from an authorized Subaru dealer.
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01-12-2021, 11:48 PM | #3 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 50586
Join Date: Dec 2003
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Location: Chiraq
Vehicle:64 Impala |
leave CA if you can...
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01-13-2021, 03:06 AM | #4 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 512290
Join Date: Mar 2020
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Quote:
On the email sent to me by the State Ref step 1 says: “Restore Engine Control Module (ECM) programming. (Can be done by a dealer or independent shop.)” It states it can be done by an “independent shop” as long as there’s paperwork to prove it’s been done. |
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01-19-2021, 02:21 AM | #5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 93812
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Huntington Beach,CA
Vehicle:2004 Wrx wagon Platinum Silver Metallic |
Sorry to hear, can you buy a stock ecu off eBay?
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01-19-2021, 04:09 PM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 29292
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Orange County CA
Vehicle:2004 WRX wagon silver |
wow that's crazy, so what part of Cali do you live in?my thinking is you have a recipt saying you got it done
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01-19-2021, 05:41 PM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 512290
Join Date: Mar 2020
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I’d like to but it seems that would be the more expensive route. I’m going to see if I’m actually able to get my current ECU flashed to the correct OEM tune. I was quoted $80 by a local tuning shop to have it done. If all else fails I will most likely try to buy another stock ECU.
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01-19-2021, 05:43 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 512290
Join Date: Mar 2020
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01-19-2021, 05:47 PM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 504432
Join Date: Jul 2019
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
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01-19-2021, 08:45 PM | #10 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 29292
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Orange County CA
Vehicle:2004 WRX wagon silver |
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01-22-2021, 01:37 PM | #11 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 93812
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Huntington Beach,CA
Vehicle:2004 Wrx wagon Platinum Silver Metallic |
Quote:
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01-23-2021, 03:44 PM | #12 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 29292
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Orange County CA
Vehicle:2004 WRX wagon silver |
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05-28-2021, 10:10 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 473011
Join Date: Aug 2017
Chapter/Region:
BAIC
Vehicle:2002 wrx midnight black pearl |
Happened to me today took my 02 wrx into get smogged with stock bov and stock downpipe (passed smog last time with this set up same place), today they tell me the bar already had my car state reffed with out even knowing and getting pulled over, and they cant tell me why and can't touch it. Incredible how broken this system is im running factory setting on my ecu right now but it still somehow tells them that it has been tuned before. I am not sure if im even allowed to be driving the car, I havn't recieved anything in the mail. California is broken and im ready to leave for good.
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05-28-2021, 11:27 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 515308
Join Date: Jun 2020
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Vote vote vote vote, tell ur mama to vote, please god don’t move here, fix what y’all have broken.
Also sounds like someone with a tactrix and a shop could make a penny reflashimg to stock and printing a receipt, 20mim 150$ |
05-29-2021, 09:35 AM | #15 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 504432
Join Date: Jul 2019
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
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06-25-2021, 01:43 PM | #16 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 512290
Join Date: Mar 2020
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Quote:
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05-08-2022, 12:00 AM | #17 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 443128
Join Date: Mar 2016
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