Dealing with Outdated Automotive Software?

Jan Hendrik Montag asks: "My car mechanics had problems to fix a problem in electronic motor management with my 14 yr old Audi. That was not too surprising. But as my mechanic consulted a Volkswagen/Audi-company, they received the answer, that my car is too old and they don't have the appropriate devices and software to read my cars' mind. I just wonder, what will happen in 20 or 30 years to then-vintage-cars from today? Shouldn't there be a necessity to declare old car-software and diagnostic devices open-source just to make sure a collector then can repair his/her car just as it is possible to repair an old car from the 60's? Or will those cars be doomed in case of failure? What would be a solution?"

Comments

Necessary? not really

[Grab]

There's no great secret to controlling an engine, so I don't see the point. If we want to think about this in computer terms, the engine controller is comparable to a text editor. Everyone knows what they do, there's a standard file format, no surprises. You don't like one, or the person maintaining it gives up, you use another one.

For some time now, you have been able to buy generic engine controllers which just need calibrating to work with your car's engine (I know, I work for a company who makes them). These aftermarket ones used to be pretty dumb - time, emissions legislation and cheaper microcontrollers have made a big difference to this now though. In fact, it's not inconceivable that an aftermarket one would give better performance/economy/emissions than the old one, by having more accurate calculation, better modelling of engine behaviour, etc.

Maybe there's someone who's desperate to use only original equipment, who will insist on using an engine controller with a dodgy old 8-bit micro when the cheapest Ford is coming off the production line with a 32-bit micro. I don't see the point in it myself. The engine controller doesn't change the character of the car (if calibrated to give a similar response to the old one), so replacing it shouldn't be an issue.

Grab.

Re:Necessary? not really

[KhanAFur]

This might be true if all the computers are doing is controlling the engine. Now we are moving into drive by wire where the computer is doing more and more of the control. In the future it is going to be harder and harder to buy and drop in some off the shelf controller. There are even a lot of cars today that this is just not possible with.

I've worked with engine control computers and I know it is just not that easy.

-Mary

How many options do you want?

[R2.0]

#1: Your mechanic is full of shit. I believe current VAG dealer diagnostic tools analyze your year, and if the current ones don't, it's not like dealers just throw away older diagnotic tools.

#2: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/
Buy the diag tool yourself. Tell mechanic to get bent.

#3: 1989 Audi? Might not have OBD-I, and the engine controllers back then didn't have a bunch of diagnostics. Sounds like you may have a lazy mechanic who doesn't want to take the time to actually diagnose your problem instead of plugging in a connector and charging you $90.

#4: http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html
Megasquir t DIY Fuel injection controller. There are a shipload of Audi's running this, and the mailing list is quite friendly

Talk to this chap

[gsx1400]

I've owned several audis, including an '86 80 sport, a 1990 5cyl 100, and a 1995 S6. This guys website is full of useful stuff. He markets a kit for the palm pilot that should answer your needs Remember, far more energy is used, and more CO2 is produced in building a car than it will produce in its lifetime, so keeping old cars running is good for the environent!