Computer check

[redmike]

Holden Dealer in NZ told me they can check the runnining history of your car to see if you had moded your engine ie MAF/TB, bettween services then replaced with stock for service, is this true or just a crock.What can they actually check?

Redmike

[V82xist]

Did he also tell you they know if 2 people have ever shared one seat in your car and therefore will not cover any warranty repairs on the seat? The computer also apparently monitors any shock absorber movement when the car is stationary so they know how long it took also :lol:

It's a crock.
:cheers:

[the mooch]

I don't know how much the ECM stores as data, but I have heard from a few people that it does log things like max revs reached and how often, if it has ever overheated etc. Not as far fetched as it sounds. I read an article in a car mag not long ago that talked about the idea of the 'black box' for your car. In fact, most new cars today have a function like it. The PCM has to process data (and lots of it) for it to calculate how, where and when it must deploy airbags and belt pre-tensioners in the event of a crash. The last few seconds before the crash and the events during the crash are actually stored on the PCM. Obviosly some cars will store more than others, but don't think it's not out of the realms of insurance companies obtaining that info so they can push to either prosecute someone or void a claim. Big Brother is watching....

[C4B]

don't think it's not out of the realms of insurance companies obtaining that info so they can push to either prosecute someone or void a claim. Big Brother is watching....

When the vehicle is involved in an airbag deployment (ie. a big crash!) the PCM stores the final few seconds of data (eg. Throttle position, RPM, etc.) however for some reason the police / insurance do not get access to this information. It is only used by the manufacturer to validate / improve their crash modelling algorithm.

I can only assume that some sort of deal has been struck between the manufacturers and the police to prevent this data being handed over. I would imagine the car people have said, if you use this data against the owner of the vehicle, then we will turn off the "snapshot" mode in all future models so no-one gets it. But if you agree not to demand access to it, then at least we'll be able to make safer cars by using the data from the crashes.

[VX2VESS]

Holden Dealer in NZ told me they can check the runnining history of your car to see if you had moded your engine ie MAF/TB, bettween services then replaced with stock for service, is this true or just a crock.What can they actually check?

Redmike

nah, a modded maf only, maybe if you didn't reset the pcm the ltfts would be out a fair bit, which is only an indiction something was wrong.

the can't see edit changes either at the dealer using a tech 2, but they can feel them.

[the mooch]

When the vehicle is involved in an airbag deployment (ie. a big crash!) the PCM stores the final few seconds of data (eg. Throttle position, RPM, etc.) however for some reason the police / insurance do not get access to this information. It is only used by the manufacturer to validate / improve their crash modelling algorithm.

I can only assume that some sort of deal has been struck between the manufacturers and the police to prevent this data being handed over. I would imagine the car people have said, if you use this data against the owner of the vehicle, then we will turn off the "snapshot" mode in all future models so no-one gets it. But if you agree not to demand access to it, then at least we'll be able to make safer cars by using the data from the crashes.
Thanks for the finer detail. I knew there was definitely some storage of data by the PCM. The point I was trying to make is that the ECM's and PCM's are both more than capable of storing data. Whether they can tell if an engine has been modified only the guy using tech 2 can tell you. I dare say that they could tell you something had been altered just by the fact the data would be inconsistent with a stock engines data, thus giving the game away. With regard to the Airbag data falling into the lap of insurance companies for use in claims, would you be prepared to put a wager on it being available (the data) for them within the next ten years?? If we remember!! :beer: :cheers: