Automakers Try To Keep Repair Codes Secret

An anonymous reader writes "Can't get the trouble codes out of your car's computer? Congress wants to help. I think it's odd that they think it's your God-given right to reverse-engineer your car, but not your XBox. Why aren't the automakers bashing these third-party code readers over the head with the DMCA while they still can?" This debate has been going on for several years.

Proving once again...

[Anonymous Coward]

It's not that other people COULDN'T fight you. It's just that Microsoft makes the greater effort to go ahead and actively piss you off.

Woot woot... :-/

What if your car has an Xbox?

[Anonymous Coward]

Like on Pimp My Ride?

Re:get a new car company or get some smarts.

[Kenja]

But with the codes out in the open she could be charged by Joe Bob down at the corner 120$ to be told that the gas cap is loose rather then payign 120$ to the Kia repair place to be told the same thing!

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Biiig difference

[maxbang]

Eh, well, not when you mod your x-box with a 12,000 watt psu and figure, "What the hell, these controller cables can handle the load." I'm dead now. Incidentally, I'm writing this from Hades where all the shift keys have been removed from computers and I'm forced to read EULAs for the rest of eternity.

Re:Here we go ...

[SnowDeath]

It was always nice how easy it was to "disable" the bulb behind the check engine light on my old camaro...

Re:Or in other words...

[Profane MuthaFucka]

Depending on where you park the car, you could just leave it unlocked and someone will come along and remove the radio for you, free of charge!

Re:Hood welded shut?

[cmstremi]

And the gas cap welded shut too, so there's no chance that it is left loose?

Re:Saturn service

[Scutter]

You know, I've read numerous times and places that Saturns have really good service and support, but not being an auto nut, I had no idea whether it was just part of a big Saturn marketing effort.

I just turned in my Saturn SL2 that had 160,000 miles on it. It still ran great. I never failed once to have a positive experience when dealing with a Saturn dealership. They were great every. single. time.

On a side note, remember those Saturn "picnics" they'd have where Saturn owners from around the country would come? How did they find their car when it was time to go home?

Re:get a new car company or get some smarts.

[Anonymous Coward]

totally. It is too fucking bad that every darn fucknut has to fucking swear up a fucking storm. What can't they use another fucking expletive to spice up this fucking post. FUCK!

Re:Or in other words...

[LaCosaNostradamus]

"Special key", huh? That's what I call my Dremel. {whiiiiirrrr}

Re:I returned a new car after three strikes...

[ilsa]

They didn't tell you to open and close all the Windows before restarting?

They didn't try to reinstall the car's operating system?

Re:Saturn service

[four12]

How did they find their car when it was time to go home?

I have the amazing ability to remember a random sequence of letters and numbers.

Most vehicles have them stamped in metal plates on the front and/or rear bumpers.

Re:get a new car company or get some smarts.

[Anonymous Coward]

Guy takes his new-fangled, high-tech awe-toe-moe-beal to the country mechanic because the engine is mis-firing. The hick mechanic comes out and raises the hood. After listening to the engine for a while, he goes to his tool box and comes back with a very worn, well used ball-pean hammer. Leaning over the fender, he pulls back and give the side of the enginer a huge whack. The engine immediately begins to idle smoothly.

The country mechanic then hands the guy a bill for $500.00. Naturally, the guys gets all huffy. All you did was hit the engine with a hammer, how is that worth $500.00?. The country mechanic says, "You're right, let me adjust it."

Taking the bill back, he then hands the guy a new bill: Repair: $50.00, Diagnosis: $450.00. The country mechanic then says, "The value is NOT in hitting the engine, the value is in knowing where to hit it."

Everyone should drive a Cadillac!

[up2ng]

Press "off" anf "warmer" on the climate control, and you can do just about anything without a code reader ! saves me a shitload when I have to diag/fix her