ECU Question

[Laurel]

I'm just curious about this. I had a little look at the ECU for the Avant and was surprised that it looks not too different from a motherboard for a computer. So was wondering...

...1) if you were to wire up the ECU to a standard computer, what would show up on the screen? Could you manipulate the software already on there via computer? Or is another machine required in order to view the ECUs contents?

...2) Would it be possible for the ECU to be bugged without affecting the car's performance? Or could you upload a virus into it?

and 3) Surely cars weren't always running with these ECU thingys in them, seeing as computers came about long after cars....so before this advanced technology was created, how did the old cars work??

If anyone could shed some light on the subject, I would really appreciate it.

[S2central.net]

Are you latent engineer ?

To answer your Q's directly though ---

1 - You can't just wire it up to a PC... But yes there is a little gizmo that can be used by a PC to see and edit the contents of the chips storing the ECU software.

2 - Yes you could but all kinds of nasty software into an ECU if you had the knowhow... Making it run crap or whatever.

3 - If you have the time and inclination - there are some good books about (and websites) that explain the evolution of engine management from the days of yore when Mr Otto invented the 4-stroke engine up to the current state of art. Its really quite interesting - I couldn't do the subject justice here myself - its quite a long complex story, but I could do a potted version if I ever found the time !

[Rusty]

Connecting the ECU to a computer is basically how remapping is done nowadays. Older cars like the S2s have the large chips reprogrammed separately but a box can be used to simulate the operation of the ECU via a computer. All related I guess but only with the right connections and software...

[Laurel]

Oh interesting!! After dwelling on a few novel ideas I thought about writing a James Bond -esq thriller and thought it would be cool if you could store secret information/documents on an ECU because it would be one of the least likely places to hide such a thing!!

I've been nagging Ross with questions and since the engine isn't in the car yet, I've been at his back to show me all the parts and he let me have a look at the ECU! Got me excited which is really, really sad I suppose. lol

[S2central.net]

Laura - you need to get out even more than me !!!

But yes - technically you could store odd / secret things inside the empty space of chips in an ECU if you really wanted. Modern ECUs have much higher amounts of space than the S2/RS2 genre - but even there you could sneak in something seripticiously to the small amounts of space without affecting operation of the engine.

[PeteRR]

Laura, you're a girl after our own hearts. Which is kinda cool....but also kinda scary!

[Rusty]

It's all 1s and 0s to me

Your hero/heroine could store the information on the car of an unsuspecting member of the public and then they become involved. A bit like Bourne manages to do each time.

[Sonic]

Yes you could but all kinds of nasty software into an ECU if you had the knowhow... Making it run crap or whatever.

So thats how Herbie came about!

[Laurel]

It's all 1s and 0s to me

Your hero/heroine could store the information on the car of an unsuspecting member of the public and then they become involved. A bit like Bourne manages to do each time.

Ooh good idea!! I'm really excited about this because I've been wanting to write a proper gadgety action book for ages.

[Jamo]

Will you be able to colour the pictures in the book?

[Laurel]

Will you be able to colour the pictures in the book?

*Slap* Cheeky devil.

[Donker]

Make sure to make the car in the book an S2

[Keeper of The Kitten]

It really doesn't matter if it's technically accurate - the vast majority of movies don't adhere to any of the physical and mathematical laws that real life has to live by, and neither do a lot of books - but full marks for being so thorough in your groundwork! (And for giving all the old farts here an excuse to start another technical debate)

[Jamo]

*Slap* Cheeky devil.

Isn't that kind of action what got you pregnant? I'll get my coat