I disagree. Up until the hybrids came out most of the guys I know (even the non computer literate ones) have been able to work off scan codes and go to junkyards and pickup a xyz module and plug it in - no problem.
I've had few issues debugging ECM equipped cars - usually the codes will say the throttle position sensor or oxygen sensor is shot etc. $100 worth of parts and it is fixed. But dealing with high voltage inverters and drives and battery packs that cost $5K plus to replace is a new ballgame. I know of a lot of guys who do car work but aren't comfortable doing household wiring at 120/240 volts. I'm not sure the typical junkyards I know would even accept a hybrid as a scrap vehicle considering some of the battery disposal issues. >>I wonder if going that way and having almost 'open source' cars aren't a better way in the future. I have wondered the same thing. My daughter has a friend whose father converted a little Ford (Fiesta) with a kit and his kids drive it around town. He plugs it in via an outlet on the front of their garage. It won't get any beauty awards but it seems to be reliable for driving around town. And it is really simple. It will be interesting to see how the Chevy Volt is received by the general population. Dave Jack wrote: > But the same can be said for IC engines, with all the addon's, EC modules, > computers, updates, etc, ... Shadetree mechanics unless they are really > into it can't do much more than change the oil and check tire pressure > according to the manufacturers. > > There are folks doing full retrofits of cars to electric cars, and the parts > are available (but not down at your local AutoZone). I wonder if going that > way and having almost 'open source' cars aren't a better way in the future. > Most of the retrofits gut the IC paraphernalia and go fully electric rather > than > hybrid. Hybrid adds lots of extra 'stuff' to the equation. > > In my area many of the 'local garages' are getting out because the cost > of staying in the game (high cost of electronic tools) is more than their > business can handle. It seems you either 'get big' or 'narrowly specialize', > or die. > > >> <> ... Jack >> > > > > On Fri, Dec 11, 2009 at 11:58 AM, Dave <e...@dc9.tzo.com> wrote: > >> I love techie stuff as much as anyone, but don't you wonder what is >> going to happen in 6-10 years with some of these hybrids? When the >> battery packs are shot and the controls are flaking out, and the car is >> not worth taking to the dealership/stealership for repair work at $100+ >> per hour. Few shadetree mechanics are going to be able to debug them >> or be able to afford to replace the parts. Most of the shadetree >> mechanics I have known are not at all comfortable around high voltage >> DC. I have similar, but lesser problems now with my Ford 2003 6.0 liter >> diesel truck right now and it is fairly low tech in comparison. Some of >> the engine sensors are > $300 each. A good price for rebuilt injectors >> is $200 each - or $1600 for a set. Major repair estimates from the >> dealership might was well be rounded out to the nearest $1K. >> >> I sometimes wonder if some of these hybrids aren't way over engineered..... >> >> Dave >> >> Jon Elson wrote: >> >>> Stuart Stevenson wrote: >>> >>> >>>> Andy, >>>> This link doesn't say anything about starting by injection. I am sure it >>>> is BMW that has the starting capability. >>>> >>>> >>> The Honda Civic hybrid has some really interesting stuff going on. They can >>> lock all the valves closed, cylinder by cylinder to control displacement. >>> When it "auto stops" at a traffic light it closes all the valves so the >>> engine >>> doesn't shudder when it stops. You can't even hear it, but it takes at >>> least 5 seconds >>> to stop turning. I think they do the same on startup from the >>> on-flywheel motor/gen. >>> Whenever you take your foot off the gas it closes all the valves to >>> minimize the >>> engine drag. They also do stuff with variable valve timing so as to >>> minimize use >>> of the throttle plate. >>> >>> Jon >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> Return on Information: >>> Google Enterprise Search pays you back >>> Get the facts. >>> http://p.sf.net/sfu/google-dev2dev >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Emc-users mailing list >>> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net >>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users >>> >>> >>> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Return on Information: >> Google Enterprise Search pays you back >> Get the facts. >> http://p.sf.net/sfu/google-dev2dev >> _______________________________________________ >> Emc-users mailing list >> Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net >> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users >> >> > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Return on Information: > Google Enterprise Search pays you back > Get the facts. > http://p.sf.net/sfu/google-dev2dev > _______________________________________________ > Emc-users mailing list > Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Return on Information: Google Enterprise Search pays you back Get the facts. http://p.sf.net/sfu/google-dev2dev _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list Emc-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
