Automobile failure due to embedded problems?

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Part of my y2k preparations of course involve reliable transportation. Does anyone have any info on the likelyhood that late model cars and and trucks will fail because of embedded chip problems? When were chips first used? Can a car be tested? Are any auto companies publicly stating that they have successfully addressed the problem? Any information would be appreciated.

Steve

-- Stephen Gould (f64@dfw.net), May 14, 1998

Answers

Stephen,

I too was concerned about this issue:

The following from Toyota, New Zealand and Honda Technical Support, ex Moon Honda, USA 11 May 1998.

Honda and Toyota have electronic engine management systems in many of their vehicles.

These systems run fuel injection and electronic ignition systemss. They also generate scan codes which are read by mechanics diagnostic tools.

There are no problems with Toyota and Honda engine management systems because they do not generate time based codes. The scan tools used for diagnostic purposes may require replacement or upgrade. Honda and Toyota seem to have matters in hand in this area at the moment.

To be absolutely sure purchase a vehicle with traditional coil based ignition and traditional carburation avoiding electronic fuel injection and chip based electronic ignition. Take a course in vehicle maintenance anyway.

Happy motoring..

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), May 14, 1998.


The following excerpt was written by Todd Day who is the list moderator, and ECU (Engine Control Unit, aka car computer) wizard.

"All you guys with 1989-1994 DSMs might want to take another car to the parties on Y2K eve... or arrange for a tow truck. 1995-98 ECUs seem to be Y2K compliant, as far as I can tell (an OBDII requirement). If you don't want to be seen at the party without your DSM, for $100, I can fix your ECU so the overflow problem won't happen until 2089. I've set my ECU to the bewitching hour, and the results aren't pretty. The overflow causes a mask bit to be set which prevents the spark plug in cylinder 3 from firing, but doesn't stop the fuel flow. The fuel flow in that cylinder actually doubles due to a side-effect of the spark bug. This creates some pretty spectacular backfires, I must say... One hell of a way to welcome in the new century.

"Oh yeah - this bug happens at December 31st, 1999 at midnight (or January 1st, 2000, depending on how you look at it) in the CENTRAL time zone. That's because the cars were all built in Illinois. So for you East Coasters, it will occur at 1am, and West Coasters will experience it at 10pm."

-- Markus Fromherz (Markus_Fromherz@yahoo.com), May 20, 1998.


I think the best thing to do is to press the dealer of your car for answers. So far, as an example, I learned that a Dodge Caravan has an engine control system, which has no calendar inside, and a body control system (for radio, etc.), which has a calendar. The dealer is waiting for information back from Chrysler whether the body control system is Y2K-compliant, and what, if any, issues might arise.

-- Markus Fromherz (Markus_Fromherz@yahoo.com), May 20, 1998.

I've got a 1988 Ford sedan and a 1988 GMC 4WD pickup. Am I in good shape?

-- Pastor Chris (chrisbr@ptinet.net), May 21, 1998.

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