Just for some background/description: https://www.ifixit.com/News/52123/the-coming-battle-over-hacking-your-own-car
I first heard of this a few years ago while searching for the way to disable the Fasten Seat Belt reminder chimes on my 2012 F150. That hack didn't require any computer software or diagnostic interface cables but some software applications (like Forscan (http://forscan.org)) did show up in search hits for 'f150 hack mods' so I glanced at it but never really considered buying the equipment at the time, but we'll be getting a new Ranger for the wife soon and I'm rethinking this now. Some of the mods like 'Bambi' or 'police dark' mode might have some safety and security advantages too. I'd love to disable the courtesy lights from coming on whenever I shut off the truck and open a door for example, besides illuminating you to everyone around it also ruins natural night vision briefly until your eyes readjust. The double horn honk when I double lock the truck with the key fob is another annoyance I'd like to disable.
Anyone have any experience with or considering this?
The closest I've come to anything like this was successfully confirming my strong suspicion that my stripped down 2016 Kia Soul, so basic it didn't even have cruise control, actually does have that feature, factory installed.
I figured with everything in cars, including throttle linkage and wheel spin sensors being electronic, it would be cheaper for a car manufacturer to equip all models with the same basic ECU, rather than make one with cruise control and another that doesn't. And just omit the switch gear for the features they want absent on their base models.
I bought genuine Kia cruise control switch gear and a new wiring harness online, swapped out the parts on my steering wheel and ... son of a gun ... I now have factory cruise control. Right down to the functioning green "Cruise" and "Set" lights on the dash of a vehicle that supposedly didn't have them.
Everything being electronic on vehicles these days is both a curse and a blessing. I won't be gloating if we ever experience a serious EMP-type incident.
Other than that, all only thing along these lines I've heard of is modding the ignition controls and throttle response to eke out a bit more power from the engine.
I do however, strongly, STRONGLY endorse the right to repair/right to modify/maker movement.
One other random thought: I didn't read the article you linked to, so I don't know if it mentioned this, but vehicle car manafacturers are increasingly using software updates to add/enable/support "optional" features. Except drivers don't actually own those features outright when they pay extra for them. The emerging trend is to sell the consumer a license to have those features, one that remains active only so long as the consumer continues paying an annual fee. And certain features are in danger of going away if the manufacturer stops supporting them. I think I read somewhere where nav system map updates in certain older vehicles, sold as a lifetime feature, are no longer available because the updates were being pushed via 3G cellular technology, which is now being phased out.
Quote from: majorhavoc on May 15, 2022, 05:44:54 AMI think I read somewhere where nav system map updates in certain older vehicles, sold as a lifetime feature, are no longer available because the updates were being pushed via 3G cellular technology, which is now being phased out.
Let me just quickly address this issue. It's not that nav updates were being sent out via 3G (nav updates usually aren't sent OTA, they're done with a flash drive) it's that traffic data (and other features like 911 calling, OnStar, etc.) was being updated via 3G, so that's what would stop working.
Most manufacturers have addressed this with a dongle that gets plugged into the OBD II port and works via 4G... for an extra cost, of course.
One of the reasons I love my 1999 Jeep Wrangler is its simplicity. Its analog except for one small computer unit. And you can buy refurb units from an outfit for not to much. Which you could put away protected from an emp. But more importantly I feel confident that I can fix anything on my vehicle if it came down to it. I have fixed most everything I've come across.
This era Jeep is the last of the truly "utility" vehicles. Ones that were purposely built to be able to run and be fixed if they ever broke down in the middle of nowhere. And is optimized to travel in and over as much of this environment as possible.
I was so disgusted with my previous 2011 GMC Yukon. I bought this Jeep. I couldn't fix anything on it. And there were about 20,000+ parts on it engineered to fail at some point.
Before that I had an older but new purchased Yukon. With a dealer warranty. It took two trips to the dealership just to get the cig lighter replaced. Once to have it officially diagnosed and the part ordered. A second to come back to have it installed. That was the last vehicle I bought new. And the last American made vehicle we owned. Except for the Jeep.
Since then every vehicle, except my Jeep, has been a gently used Japanese car. Honda or Toyota. And I can't tell you how easy or hard they are to work on. Because nothing has had to be replaced. Routine maintenance has been minimal.
I have not gotten deep into the mods in question in this thread. Being able to kill the lights is an important one tho. And didnt think of when i updated all my interior lights to LED. I could have chosen red. For better night vision and clandestine operation.
We used to take red fingernail polish to the inside of the interior light lenses. In all of our surveillance vehicles. I have not had to equip a surveillance vehicle in many years tho. I'll have to ask my employees about this. Being able to kill running lights is probably something they do.
There is a simple fix on Jeeps like mine for killing the door chime. As Offroaders are constantly getting in and out to check clearances and other issues.
I have not understood stock in car nav screens for some time. I had a thunderbird with one of these early systems. And you had to update it with a dvd iirc. Even at the time it was easier to carry a portable garmin unit. As you could update via usb. But once cellphones and mapping came out. I have not seen the need. Just another item to break and need repair.
There is a famous tesla mechanic on youtube. That has a very famous ongoing battle with tesla and being able to repair your own car. I think all of this is bs. Just another way for corp america to stick it to consumers and repairmen alike.
I actually saw a toyota commercial a while ago talking about how bad independant mechanics were. And how you should only trust the toyota service centers. What a slap in the face to probably a majority of toyota parts buyers - independant shops.
Quote from: Moab on May 15, 2022, 07:18:40 PMI have not understood stock in car nav screens for some time. I had a thunderbird with one of these early systems. And you had to update it with a dvd iirc. Even at the time it was easier to carry a portable garmin unit. As you could update via usb. But once cellphones and mapping came out. I have not seen the need. Just another item to break and need repair.
Here's how I view it:
Our in-dash nav unit on our Jeep is always going to be a few years behind actual road changes. It's the nature of the beast because even the most recent update is going to be two years behind current reality. That's how long it takes companies to gather the info, double verify it, compile it, then release it as part of an update (most are done twice-yearly). But I don't update our unit every time they release a new set of maps and POIs because at $165 each that gets expensive. Updating every 2-3 years suits us well enough to get where we're going in a general sense. If not, and more accurate info is needed there's always at least one cell phone and Google Maps. If that backup fails (no signal, etc.) I do have the most recent Open Street Maps version for all of North America on the phone. And if that fails (dead battery, broken phone, etc.) there's paper road maps of most of the states I've been to tucked away in the preps and they get updated from the free maps at welcome centers and the ones I used to get from AAA. And last but not least, I have a large format current year road atlas in every vehicle. I seldom get lost for very long. :greenguy: