Failed my state vehicle inspection
 

Hey guys, been awhile since I posted. So I went to get my vehicle inspected (NC) and it failed. This isn’t the place I usually take my cars but had to go somewhere else because the normal place’s system was down.
Car failed for two reasons.
1. They guy jacked up each wheels to determine how much play was in the wheels. He said there is too much back and forth play in the front tires. Said he thinks the lower tie rods are loose or worn. WTF....the car only has 38,000 miles (2000 GTS ACR)
2. The windshield wipers are working intermittently. When he turned on the wipers with the engine running the wipers didn’t work. When I got in I found the same thing. The odd part is the radio didn’t work at the same time, but when I turned the key fulled left. (Counter Clockwise) not sure if this is the ACC position but it’s one click left CCW from where you pull the key out. When the key is there the radio and wipers work fine. All other positions no. Well occasionally they do. Not sure what the problem is. The car did sit in storage for 4 years. I checked the fuses under the dash on drivers side and they’re fine.
Anyone seen theses issues with your car? Thanks.


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1. "Lower tie rod?" There's an inner and an outer but I don't know of a lower tie rod. If the inner tie rod is bad you'll notice it in the steering. It won't be as responsive. Kinda scary. If the outer tie rod is bad you can tell by grabbing it with your hand and moving it. It shouldn't move.
2. Good luck. Get a volt/ohm meter and start testing. You could just swap out the multi-function switch (turn signal device on the column) and see if that fixes it. They don't cost much.

I’ve replace inner and outer tie rods front and rear on gen 2’s with less than 50k on them. Along with all control arm bushings, sway bar end links, engine mounts, trans mount, etc. every car I’ve inspected for someone needed at least one tie rod so far along with almost everything rubber

Thanks. I guess I’ll get it on a lift and take a look. Didn’t think it was that weak.


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On the wipers, does one act normal? Or are they both eratic?

The only time it works is in ACC (CCW from key insert position) The radio on works then too. As soon as you turn the key CW both wipers and radio stop working.


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This might sound stupid, but switch out your ignition switch. They are fairly easy to do, and when my 99 had weird combined gremlins, the new switch fixed all the issues

Okay, thanks kind of thought that might be a solution too. A few months ago the windows didn’t work in the same fashion so there might be something going on in there.
I got the car to pass inspection yesterday. Went to a different inspection station and turned off the car and the as the guy walked up I turned on the wipers in the ACC position and told him I didn’t want the glass scratched and wanted to show him quickly. It worked. He also never checked wheel play but I’m going to have it looked at but now I can register it.


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When I sold my 98 GTS with 38k on the odometer everything made of rubber in the front suspension and steering was either gone or going they told me...

I love living in a state with no inspection now... The only downside is that there are a ton of shitboxes on the highway or abandoned on the side of it.

I just wasted two hours of my life idling in line for emissions today. Cars were wrapped around the block at the testing station - and this is the quickest time of the month and week.

I'm finally switching two of my cars over to collectors insurance so I don't have to deal with that mess anymore. Today AZ is decent because of no safety inspections, no emissions for collectors cars, but quickly adopting California standards. They've recently implemented insta-fail for any cars that have "not supported" for rear O2, catalyst efficiency, or evap test procedures.

Government wants to control every part of our lives. I used to live in AZ, great state but the California’s are moving there in droves with all they’re nutty CA ideas.


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Kill all the Kalifornians, that will fix the issues........................

Failed my state vehicle inspection
 

It’s too late the virus has spread beyond their borders. I grew up in N. Cal. Just south of SF. Was a naturally beautiful place but led by socialists. It plaques with scum now. I
left before I got the virus.


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While looking for the cause of play in the front wheels, verify that it isn't the steering rack that is moving due to looseness in the mounts because of rubber isolator degradation.

Okay thanks. The car seems to drive fine and track straight. My problem is finding a mechanic that:
1. Knows what he’s looking at
2. Can make the proper assessment and repair.
3. Not do unnecessary work try and and rob me



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I grew up in Concord, just east of SF. Was a beautiful place to grow up, still is nice except for all the nutjobs. Where is Thanos when you need him............

I'm in NC as well. Unless the rules have changed, now that you have failed inspection you must go back to the place you failed inspection at to get reinspected. You're locked in to use that shop now for re inspection. Whoever did your inspection was looking to fail you or they thought you were an undercover working for the DMV. No tech makes enough money on inspections to take the time to actually check all the items they are supposed to on a vehicle inspection. On top of that, starting December 1st of this year, anything 1999 or older just has a safety inspection so the tech was a real hard ass or like I already said, he thought you worked for the DMV. If you have a place that you normally go to get your Viper inspected then continue to use that same place, even if it means rescheduling for another day b/c their equipment is down. Do like what has already been suggested to try and get the car to pass this time and DON'T go back the place that failed you.

Maybe its different here, but why the HELL would it fail because he thinks it has too much slop in the suspension/tie rods. Unless it was literally undriveable or about to fall apart id think this doesn't matter and he needs to just do his damn job and pass it if the wipers were working.

Safety here in texas is lights, wipers, non cracked windshield, and nothing literally hanging off the car or holes in the floor more or less for any reason. Sounds to me like he's just trying to get some work out of you when really the car will probably pass safety just fine. Id think that if there was a problem with the car suspension wise you'd probably know it and be weary of driving it yourself.

Like i said though, laws are problem different in your state vs mine but... sounds like a sham to get work done wherever you took it.

The only thing they check in New Jersey now is the emissions unless there is a visible issue and new cars are good for 5 years before the first inspection... So they just basically found a way to keep the parasites on the payroll while doing next to nothing...

Maybe this guy wasn't smart enough ..lol..I understand your concern. Did you check it in another part? I didn't encounter such problems, my father is a mechanic, I will ask him about your problem. Maybe he can help you.