SMOG FAILED

2001 SATURN SC1
106,000 MILES • 4 CYL • MANUAL
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ERIKS805
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smog failed because it couldn't complete a self-test. FAIL: system malfunction light. Mechanic said to drive it around more. The last time the battery was disconnected was about 5 months ago. In that time, I have driven in town and on the freeway. That should be several thousand miles. Why would it say that it fails or what can i do to fix it?

"...failed the MIL/check enginge light due to failure to successfully complete all OBD self tests"
Apr 30, 2011 at 12:09 AM
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BMRFIXIT
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check coolant sensor operation
Apr 30, 2011 at 12:35 AM
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ERIKS805
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not sure what you mean by checking but the wires seem to look good. the coolant temp gauge seems to be working normally. the only coolant problem occurring is that i'm losing water. I couldn't seem to find a leak. the hoses going to and leaving the radiator seem fine. it will only lose water while im driving. Could that have something to do with it?
Apr 30, 2011 at 12:53 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Just to add to this one are you saying the monitors wernt set and that is why it failed?If your checking the coolant temp sensor you can't just look at the wire's remove the connector and see if the connector is corroded.Also do you have a multimeter?
Apr 30, 2011 at 5:21 PM
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ERIKS805
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I checked the wires and the insided of the connector. They are not corroded. I do have a multimeter and measured the resistance. I didn't take the actual sensor out and got a reading of about 70-75 ohms. It was in a hard to get area but i think that the reading is fairly accurate.
-the smog report says, "This vehicle failed the MIL/check engine light due to failure to successfully complete all OBD self test."

it passed every functionality and emissions test except for that one
May 1, 2011 at 10:54 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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With you loosing coolant most common reasons on that car are the coolant cap not holding pressure and venting the coolant in the form of steam.Also the water pump leaking then i would look below the upper radiator on the radiator plastic tank they crack there and leak coolant really common.As far as you testing the coolant temp sensor with your reading of 75 ohms the engine was not run at all that day?If that's the case what was the outside temp when you checked it?Also you can't only check it when its cold like that i have seen a lot of sensors read the correct temp until the engine started getting over 180 degrees then it was reading incorrect.Let me know.
May 2, 2011 at 6:10 PM
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ERIKS805
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i tested the sensor again after driving around for about 15 min. and the sensor is now reading 90 ohms.

could the leaking water be the result for the smog failure?
May 3, 2011 at 2:30 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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I would check those ohms readings again on the sensor there way off take a look at the code chart i posted.
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May 3, 2011 at 10:24 PM