Posted on 04/20/2015 8:34:32 PM PDT by Rusty0604
Automakers are supporting provisions in copyright law that could prohibit home mechanics and car enthusiasts from repairing and modifying their own vehicles.
Allowing them to continue to fix their cars has become "legally problematic," according to a written statement from the Auto Alliance, the main lobbying arm of automakers.
The dispute arises from a section of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that no one thought could apply to vehicles when it was signed into law in 1998. But now, in an era where cars are rolling computing platforms, the U.S. Copyright Office is examining whether provisions of the law that protect intellectual property should prohibit people from modifying and tuning their cars.
Aftermarket suppliers and home enthusiasts have been modifying ECUs for years without dire consequences. By tweaking the ECU codes, ...they've boosted horsepower, improved fuel efficiency, established performance limits for teen drivers and enhanced countless other features. These innovations have contributed to a "decades-old tradition of mechanical curiosity and self-reliance," according to the EFF.
Those innovations could be curbed precisely at a time that automakers believe personalization of vehicles is emerging as a significant trend. Software is allowing for all sorts of technology, such as 4G LTE wireless connections, and motorists can use this software to choose from an increasing array of infotainment options. But the car companies, paradoxically, want to be the ones doing the personalizing.
The EFF thinks the industry's desire to block exemptions has more to do with profits than safety. As software becomes easier to update, automakers could sell these performance upgrades on an a la carte basis. Because a favorable ruling would strengthen their control of the software, the car companies could potentially force consumers to only have their vehicles fixed at their dealerships or preferred repair shops.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoblog.com ...
Thank you, I’m a lucky guy.
And where in the Constitution does it specify that government has that power. They can pry my wrenches from my assumed room temperature hands.
I don’t see how this doesn’t run afoul of various personal use exemptions.
I’m guessing the car industry lawyers know it does, but want to make a strong on the record statement (along with unenforcable official policies) so that when someone tweaks their software in a way that makes their car catch on fire (burning their family alive) the car companies can escape legal blame.
The rear plugs on a Sunbeam Tiger couldn't be accessed without jacking up the engine. (Ford 260)
My old 72 F-100 short bed 4x4 doesn’t see many miles anymore but I sure do love it. 300 straight 6 4 in the floor, manual hubs, mechanical windows and bench seat. Nothing fancy as far as tires or lift kit’s pretty much just like it came off the floor. I’m still running the old oil bath filter. It’s got 122,000 miles and has yet to leave me stranded, except for the time I blew 2 tires at the same time. Mudflap hanger off a semi fell off and went under the left side before I avoid it. other than going into the engine there’s not a thing on it I can’t fix. Yes my 2014 GMC 2500 4x4 is far more comfortable and will run circles around the old Ford but it’s just doesn’t have the same feel to it. My wife says their going to bury me in that old truck.
For years, ‘secret’ illegal memory chips have been available to bypass the pollution controls and other HP robbing systems on the late model cars. Some even allowed you to tune the ignition systems and timing for max HP.........................
I would have told them that the ignition is what caused it to stop running and to come and tow it to the shop. lol
Headlight was out (allegedly) on account of a burned pin, and yet no mechanic would simply use a pin puller and FIX IT. I was so pissed off... I am glad I kept my '91 Jetta diesel with 315k on it... everything on that car I can fix myself.
You need to make friends with your local general aviation airport.
Good sets of keywords in search engines can save time and money. There’s a lot of good information on publicly viewable Internet discussion boards for troubleshooting Jeeps. On Jeeps with computers, getting the trouble codes (even with the key switching combination for some year models) helps with most electronic repairs.
But sometimes, the computer’s self-diagnostic outputs don’t help much. Here’s an example. A woman’s Cherokee would turn over but wouldn’t start. She spent over $400 at a garage on random ignition work before having it towed home without a repair. After a couple of questions, an acquaintance of hers put a crank position sensor on it within a few minutes to get it going. Some men posting answers to discussion boards have experience with likely failures.
Searches for YouTube videos can also help. There are videos showing good ways to do some of the tougher repairs. There are also some tutorial sites with text and photos for doing transmission swaps and the like. It can be time-consuming, though, getting past search engine spam (dealers and the like).
Typically the best are make-specific forums.
Agree, lots of good info.
I get held up on specific tools, oddball fittings, and being butterfingered.
A 5 dollar barb to step down to the right line to adapt from a mechanical fuel pump that failed to an electric unit has me stopped until it arrives.
Glad for Amazon.
There was a good tutorial on crimping and soldering that was a good refresher. I bought a good one like the one on youtube was using. What a difference.
It’s fuel line bending and especially flaring where I go through grief. Glad I don’t have to do it much.
The only computer related part is the ignition module on an aftermarket distrubtor. A night and day difference.
The wiring for signals and the like is dead or very frail. Wire replace and test as I go. I would like to rig up a backup light switch that will trip when shifted. Saw a few ideas.
Heat shrink is another new friend.
If you do tweak it, do you have to disclose it if you sell the car? Is there a way to restore it back to factory settings?
-PJ
If is is just messing with the software then yes it can be restored. If it was a hardware tweak then possibly not.
Megasquirt is very interesting; thanks for that link!
We had no trouble getting our transmission fixed.
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