Dumb Question About Vehicle Computers
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 816
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From: Sandy Hook, CT
Dumb Question About Vehicle Computers
This is something that's always puzzled me-what causes a vehicle's computer to fail....I mean to fail enough to warrant replacing it. I've owned many, many cars & probably more trucks and have never had to replace a computer. Whenever I've thrown a check engine code, 9 times out of 10 its only been an 02 sensor or something to that effect. The reason I'm asking this is I've noticed a ton of posts stating that "the computer has just been replaced" or, "I've just had the computer rebuilt"..just kind of mystifies me...
Roger
Roger
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Des Plaines, Illinois
Age and weather will degrade contacts and solder joints. Static charge can kill electronics quickly. Power surge, like hooking a battery up backwards can roast one. There are tons of reasons, but in the case of these trucks, the ECC was used dating back to the early 80s, and they've been though countless hot summers and freezing winters.
Like anything else, the components will expand slightly in head and contract slightly in the cold, wearing down joints and wiggling chips from sockets.
Of course, hardware like this does have a normal failure rate. Under the potentially harsh conditions these automobile computers operate, I'm surprised they fail as infrequently as they do.
EDIT: I can see QL's point too. A lot of times an ECC might be just fine, but nobody has the equipment to test them (well, Eco did, but he's long gone...Subford might as well) and the aftermarket is a replace, don't repair kind of operation. Chances are folks that have swapped them, haven't really needed to.
Like anything else, the components will expand slightly in head and contract slightly in the cold, wearing down joints and wiggling chips from sockets.
Of course, hardware like this does have a normal failure rate. Under the potentially harsh conditions these automobile computers operate, I'm surprised they fail as infrequently as they do.
EDIT: I can see QL's point too. A lot of times an ECC might be just fine, but nobody has the equipment to test them (well, Eco did, but he's long gone...Subford might as well) and the aftermarket is a replace, don't repair kind of operation. Chances are folks that have swapped them, haven't really needed to.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,667
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Main reason I have seen is the grease dries out in the computer plug and then someone power washes the engine and aims the wand right at the computer plug. Then when they start the engine they say they smell something burning.
The only thing that will go bad in them with age is the Electrolytic Capacitors. Then you can replace the Capacitors. But 85% of the computer that are sent back have nothing wrong with them.
The only thing that will go bad in them with age is the Electrolytic Capacitors. Then you can replace the Capacitors. But 85% of the computer that are sent back have nothing wrong with them.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 26,898
Likes: 3
From: southern md
howdy subford good to see ya
thanks for the informative post as usual
