Congress may require car companies to open the interface to car computers

[Cowracer]

Intersting story here:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/164817_gearheads15.html

Tim

[patrick m.]

let'em keep the codes, good service techs wil allways find the problem.
i think the problem is not "design codes". but repair and diagnosis information, mainly with ABS systems and air bag systems.
i dont know of ANY independent who will service an air bag sys, liability is to high especially in a "law suit" happy world.

[tom.mcinerney]

Good story; thanks, Tim. An auto parts guy told me the manufacturers went to OBDII in response to legislation to open/standardise diagnostic readouts.
I can see they might want to keep some aspects [PCM internals, entrance security] privileged, and i can understand they might be allowed to require expensive/proprietary interconnects for some interactive tests/settings.
But they should be required to either offer the required info, or a kit to allow owners or aftermarketers to provide a laptop/handheld readout of all diagnostics. And brake systems(ABS) should have provision to be serviced readily without an expensive interface.