CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD
                                
                         Lincoln Plaza
                    Auditorium, First Floor
                         400 "P" Street
                         Sacramento, CA
                                
                       September 14, 1989
                           10:00 a.m.
                                
                             AGENDA

                                                             Page

89-16-1   Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Regulations  001
          Regarding On-Board Diagnostic System Requirements
          for 1994 and Later Passenger Cars, Light-Duty
          Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles with Feedback Fuel
          Control Systems.

Closed Session:

          Litigation -- Authorized by Govt. Code Section 11126
          (q)(1); Citizens for a Better Environment v.
          Deukmejian, et al., and Sierra Club v. Metropolitan
          Transportation Commission, et al.

                             SUMMARY

                          ITEM #89-16-01

PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER NEW REGULATIONS REGARDING MALFUNCTION
AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO 1994 AND LATER
NEW CALIFORNIA PASSENGER CARS, LIGHT-DUTY TRUCKS, AND MEDIUM-DUTY
VEHICLES WITH FEEDBACK FUEL CONTROL SYSTEMS (OBD II).

                          RECOMMENDATION

The staff recommends that the Board adopt new regulations
requiring comprehensive on-board diagnostic systems for passenger
cars, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles with feedback
fuel control systems.

                            DISCUSSION

Current on-board diagnostic system (OBD I) requirements were
implemented in California vehicles beginning in the 1988 model
year.  On-board diagnostic systems monitor the proper function of
emission-related components during vehicle operation.  OBD I
requires monitoring of the fuel metering system, exhaust gas
recirculation system (EGR), and emission related sensors
providing input information to the vehicle computer.  OBD I also
provides assistance in repairing detected malfunctions by
identifying the likely area of fault through the use of trouble
codes.  In evaluating OBD I designs, the staff concluded that
improved monitoring methods could more effectively detect
malfunctions in some systems.  Also, important emission-related
components/systems are not presently monitored by the OBD I
system.

The OBD II proposal would require improved monitoring of the fuel
system, oxygen sensor, EGR system, and other emission-related
components.  New monitoring requirements would include engine
misfire, catalyst efficiency, canister purge system,
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) containment in automotive air
conditioning systems, and the secondary air delivery system. 
Also, certification durability vehicles equipped with components
deteriorated to their fault criteria limits would be emission
tested by manufacturers to demonstrate that their malfunction
criteria are based on a vehicle's ability to yield emission
levels near applicable standards.  This would avoid diagnostic
system designs which indicate malfunctions only when components
are completely broken and long since unable to provide proper
emission control.

Standardization of fault codes and information downloading from
the vehicle computer would be required on OBD II to aid mechanics
in servicing vehicles.  One universal scan tool for all
California vehicles would be used to access engine operating data
in the vehicle computer for repair purposes.  Accurate diagnosis
and successful repair of emission control system malfunctions
would be facilitated.  A comprehensive, standardized diagnostic
system could also enhance the effectiveness of the State's Smog
Check program.

If adopted, this proposal would become effective in model year
1994 with allowance for a two-year phase-in period consistent
with manufacturers' changeover schedules for major computer
system revisions.  Small volume manufacturers would have to
comply by the 1996 model year.