Catalytic converters must be warm before they can work properly. On a cold start the PCM provides a rich mixture to keep the cold engine running.
All that extra fuel goes into the catalytic converter. But the exhaust isn't very hot, because, ah, the engine is pretty cold. GM has employed several strategies to fire up the catalytic converter quicker and reduce cold start emissions. One way is to use a secondary air pump that pumps outside air directly into the catalytic converter.
A good starting point in your diagnosis is checking all system fuses and fusible links. This can be done using the DVOM on the voltage setting. You will want to test the fuses with circuits loaded. Some fuses will appear normal until a load is placed on their respective circuit; at which point they will fail. This has been the cause of many 'phantom malfunctions'. Consult your vehicle information source for fuse and fusible link locations. If all fuses are in working order, you may want to check TCM relay operation by swapping identical relays. Usually the horn relay, starter relay, fuel pump relay, air conditioning clutch relay, and controller relays are similar enough in design to swap for diagnostic purposes.
OBD B3811 code and tailpipe testing are two different approaches to identify vehicles in need of repair. The OBD system looks for broken or malfunctioning emissions control components and servo motor potentiometer vent circuit short to ground, while tailpipe tests sample a vehicle's exhaust to see if it is above or below certain prescribed limits. Given the robust nature of today's emissions control components, it is entirely possible for an individual component to B3811 malfunction without leading to an immediate increase in emissions at the tailpipe. In such cases, other components (like the catalyst) can temporarily compensate for the part that is broken however, these other components can only do double duty for so long before they, too, begin to malfunction. In addition, OBD also monitors for B3811 and other malfunctions in the fuel system problems that traditional tailpipe tests were not designed to identify. Most state and local areas also include a gas cap pressure test as part of an emission inspection.
Difficulty Level (Expert)
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Repair Time (60 Min.)
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| Cost Prediction : $ 40-60 |
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B3811 is a kind of Body Trouble Code
Auto body problems aren't always easy to spot. Diagnosing auto body problems sometimes requires a little know-how. In this section you'll find articles dedicated to teaching you how to diagnose auto body problems. |
You can view according B3811 DTC for your car model. We selected several models to see obd2 solutions click and view it.
Engine OBD 2 Codes website is a freeware resource center for engine trouble codes.
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