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Automakers to Make Diagnostic Codes Available
Rubbersoul writes "As reported on /. a few months ago independent auto repair shops are a bit tense about not having access to car computer diagnostic codes. Well it seems that now the auto makers will share these codes after all. According to an article at CNN the codes will be available to all professional mechanics as well as amateurs working out of their garage at home. Good to see the auto makers came around on this one, even if it did take Congress to help a bit."
All your custom engines are belong to us...
Really, is it THAT good of an idea to let people hack their car's computers? Sure, i go with the whole idea that if someone wants to blow himself up, then have at it... but in a car, that's potentially putting other people at risk... and that ain't cool.
Now I have to buy cars only with CarFax on them, because I don't trust that 'mod-chips' won't be placed on cars to roll back the mileage a little. Yet another step in the degredation of the automobile industry...can't wait for jet packs!
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The modern term is 'PCM,' or Powertrain Control Module -- they're being integrated in most cars now. :D
More importantly, what relevance does this article have on slashdot? How many people here are auto mechanics!? Oh wait, michael posted this, now it makes sense.
Now those same 31337 doods who put a 12-inch high spoiler (unpainted for the first 3 months, since they have to save up their McDonald's salary) on a Honda Civic are going to start hooking up neon lights and a speaker system to their diagnostic code system.
As an owner of "beater" cars, I can honestly tell you that those codes do not matter one bit, and are only there to get you ripped off by auto mechanics.
My beat-up Chevy Celebrity has had that yellow "Service Engine Soon" light on for years, and it runs just fine.
The whole thing is nothing but government waste, as there's a lot more pressing issues at hand than forcing companies to publish every single detail of their trade secrets.