Car Computers

[mMhCkB]

As I am sure all of you know, most of the actions a car takes are controlled by a computer. I am wondering if its possible to add functions to this computer. If so, it "should" be possible to add a storage device and turn the cars internal computer into an mp3 player.

Just an idea,
mM

[sna]

what if your mp3 player chokes on a bad MPEG frame and dies?
don't even go there, it's risky business.

sna

[disavowed]

i'm sure you could write your own SEH for that :)

[mgazza]

Originally posted by mMhCkB@Dec 28 2003, 07:22 PM
As I am sure all of you know, most of the actions a car takes are controlled by a computer.* I am wondering if its possible to add functions to this computer.* If so, it "should" be possible to add a storage device and turn the cars internal computer into an mp3 player.
Just an idea,
mM
505


all the ECU in a car just listens to variable resistors and changes the fuel mix rather like a carbretter usted to do on old cars. as well as "sniffs" your fumes to make sure there are no blockages and monitors emmisions. various other tasks have been changed by this computer also such as the distributor is usually now replaced and controled by a cam sensor.
thats all they do. usually one chip with a 4k eprom or something onboard. you can however "flash" the chip so you can contol the engine with your own program.. lol not advised tho.

[illiax]

Depending on the year and make of the car there are several options available. The one I am most familiar with is obd1 and the use of the romulator to simulate the eprom in the ECU for on the fly variable tuning. I agree with Mgazza that there is not enough processing power to do much of anything with it. Plus you are also missing things like a DAC and storage. You are better of adding a old tower to the trunk of your car and using a power inverter to run it. There are several DIY pages covering how to install and create such a system.