Diagnostic test and smog clearance

2008 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
272,000 MILES
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JEFFREY BAKER
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Car runs fine but my engine light has been on for many months. I need my smog clearance in March and they cannot do test until they determine why engine light is on and do any repairs. Is it best to take the car to someone who does the repairs determined by diagnostic test and also does the smog check too? I like my mechanic but he does not do smog checks. Thank you, Jeff
Feb 5, 2018 at 11:25 AM
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STRAILER
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It is best if you find out what the code is and then fix it yourself or at least know what you will be in for when doing the repair that way you will not be taking advantage of.

Follow this guide to get the codes from the car. You can get a cheap scanner from Amazon or have an auto parts tore runt he codes for free.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
Feb 6, 2018 at 12:33 PM
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JEFFREY BAKER
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Thank you, but unfortunately I cannot do this myself. When my mechanic does the diagnostics test to see what is wrong, fix and clear the engine light that is on, then is it the smog tester that determines what code is the problem?
Feb 6, 2018 at 2:46 PM
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STRAILER
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Usually the mechanic will need to fix the problem, the smog guy just checks the work but if the smog guy does not do the repairs himself.
Feb 7, 2018 at 10:42 AM