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Old 01-11-2021, 07:28 PM   #1
nathan_dale300
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Default 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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Old 01-12-2021, 11:26 PM   #2
AZ-GT
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Join Date: Aug 1999
Chapter/Region: SWIC
Location: Las Vegas, NV.
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2011 WRX, 05 FOZ XT,
00 Impreza 2.5RS

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You gotta play by the rules. Ive heard Documentation needs to be from an authorized Subaru dealer.
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Old 01-12-2021, 11:48 PM   #3
murrdogg24
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64 Impala

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leave CA if you can...
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Old 01-13-2021, 03:06 AM   #4
nathan_dale300
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ-GT View Post
You gotta play by the rules. Ive heard Documentation needs to be from an authorized Subaru dealer.
I was worried that would be the case.

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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Old 01-19-2021, 02:21 AM   #5
Nettalp
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Platinum Silver Metallic

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Sorry to hear, can you buy a stock ecu off eBay?
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Old 01-19-2021, 04:09 PM   #6
subaru_gc8
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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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Old 01-19-2021, 05:41 PM   #7
nathan_dale300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nettalp View Post
Sorry to hear, can you buy a stock ecu off eBay?
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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Old 01-19-2021, 05:43 PM   #8
nathan_dale300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subaru_gc8 View Post
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
Southern CA Los Angeles area.
I haven’t been able to get the work done yet on the car so I do not have the reciept.
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Old 01-19-2021, 05:47 PM   #9
JP Chestnut
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Originally Posted by murrdogg24 View Post
leave CA if you can...
Best advise possible. Modding in CA sucked when I left 10 years ago. It seems infinitely worse now.
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Old 01-19-2021, 08:45 PM   #10
subaru_gc8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nathan_dale300 View Post
Southern CA Los Angeles area.
I haven’t been able to get the work done yet on the car so I do not have the reciept.
talk to yimi in santa clarita either that or try to find a stock ecu so you dont run into this problem again
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Old 01-22-2021, 01:37 PM   #11
Nettalp
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nathan_dale300 View Post
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.
Stock ecu on eBay should run yah $100-180. But a simple flash from a shop is probably cheaper.
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Old 01-23-2021, 03:44 PM   #12
subaru_gc8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nettalp View Post
Stock ecu on eBay should run yah $100-180. But a simple flash from a shop is probably cheaper.
but he needs the reciept from the dealership or shop that says they fixed it
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Old 05-28-2021, 10:10 PM   #13
Subieseth15
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midnight black pearl

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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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Old 05-28-2021, 11:27 PM   #14
benflynn
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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$
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Old 05-29-2021, 09:35 AM   #15
JP Chestnut
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subieseth15 View Post
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.
Get Newsom recalled and install someone who isn't a totally worthless freedom hating dip****.
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Old 06-25-2021, 01:43 PM   #16
nathan_dale300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subieseth15 View Post
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.
Quick little update if you’re still dealing with the issue. Literally Just got out of my court case and the cop didn’t show up so my ticket is completely dismissed. If you’re worried about paying the fine, My advice would be to extend the ticket due date as much as you can (1 month extenstion 3 times each) and show up to court and hope to god the cop doesn’t show up. I’m pumped I don’t have to pay the fine and to not have any points on my record but I still don’t know if I have to resolve the issue with the BAR. But in terms of the actual ticket and fee then yeah I’d just request an appearance in court.
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Old 05-08-2022, 12:00 AM   #17
learningthewrx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Subieseth15 View Post
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.
I know this is old, but I'm curious what happened for this guy. My smog is coming up...
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