My 2001 Infiniti I30 sailed through all the smog tests here in Cali, save for one. Per the test: "Your vehicle failed the Smog Check inspection due to the fact that the vehicle's on-board computer system has not completed the emissions system's self-checks."

The test further states "OBD Monitors Not ready: Catalyst"

As a side note, my car recently had the rear main seal replaced. Is it possible that the mechanic disconnected something having to do with this problem?

 

How long after the rear main seal was replaced that you took the car to have it smogged? Depending on exactly how he replaced the seal, he may have disconnected the oxygen sensors, started the car, got a check engine light and then corrected it. This leaves the car in a not ready mode . It takes several days/a week of driving for things to become "ready" again. It depends on how you drive.

 

Apparently I was driving too fast, then! But to answer your question, I had driven 2100 miles before I took the car to be smogged. The drive cycle to reinstate the OBD monitor involves top speeds of 55 mph, which will get you run over in CA!

 

I'm guessing that the 55 mph is due to the national speed limit when the car was designed. I would assume that speeds over 55 should be ok too.

The mechanic probably disconnected the battery while working on the car.

 

That’s probably a likely scenario. In any case, the smog test is passed, the car is running great, and I’m hoping that it runs well for several tens of thousands of miles.

The only real problem that I’ve had with the car over the course of ownership is the catalytic converter going out twice, which is a very expensive repair when replaced. I will likely try a workaround solution if it happens again, but I sure would like it to prevent it from happening again, if possible.