Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!rutgers!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!tektronix!tekcrl!tekgvs!jans
From: jans@tekgvs.GVS.TEK.COM (Jan Steinman)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: ??: computer-controlled engines
Message-ID: <3777@tekgvs.GVS.TEK.COM>
Date: 4 Aug 88 18:30:37 GMT
Organization: Tektronix Inc., Beaverton, Or.
Lines: 32

<I've heard the following rumors about digital engine-control computers: 1. 
They contain a register which records the highest speed at which  the car has 
been driven.>

Not without a drive-line transducer, they don't!  This is possible on models 
with factory cruise control, otherwise it would be an added cost that probably 
isn't worth the return.

<2.  A new car's computer assumes default parameters, and sets new ones  as it 
"learns" the car's performance over 50 miles of driving.>

I don't know the specifics (Where did 50 miles come from?  How does the 
computer "know" 50 miles -- see above.), but my '86 Ford Ranger seems to do 
this.  For a brief period after changing from super to regular (or vice-versa) 
it runs a bit rough.

<3.  The federal government has funded research (thusfar unsuccessful)  to 
discover a ray like Batman's which stops car engines,...>

See #1.  If it costs extra, there will be a big stink about getting it in.  
Look at what it took to get the auto industry to add pollution control and 
crash restraints!  I think this particular bit would be costly.

<4.  Radio-frequency interference can jam the computer,...>

I've not experienced this, even when using 100 watt HF gear into short 
antennas, or 30 watts of VHF into a rubber duckie.  My after-market 
performance-computer went nuts, however!

:::::: Software Productivity Technologies -- Experiment Manager Project ::::::
:::::: Jan Steinman N7JDB	Box 500, MS 50-383	(w)503/627-5881 ::::::
:::::: jans@tekcrl.TEK.COM	Beaverton, OR 97077	(h)503/657-7703 ::::::