Consider This

[acdii]

You no longer drive a simple car. Back in the day cars were simple. Plugs, Points, Condenser, carburetor, the most complex component being the automatic transmission. Then came electronic ignition, Wonderful new invention, no more points to wear, or replace, just the cap and rotor every 30K or so. Then fuel injection came along and changed the way cars ran, no more choke to get stuck and flood the engine on cold days. Still simple technology since most were mechanical by nature.

 

Starting in 1995, computers were added to cars that use tables and algorithms to control fuel ratios and ignition timing, along with transmission controls to adjust shift points and pressures. While more complex, they were still easy to diagnose with the right tools.

 

Enter the mid 2000's, now not only do we have computers to control drive trains, we now have our first hybrids, along with computers that control more than just the drive train, but now also tie into the cars basic functions, such as HVAC, lighting and dash components. Another layer of complexity has been added, now you need not only the right tools, but a computer and training on how to use it.

 

Enter 2010, Cars no longer have any of the basics that they used to. Now computers have multiple computers that control just about every single function of a car, from the windows to tire pressure. No longer can the shade tree mechanic work on their cars, other than changing oil and spark plugs. You need sophisticated computers, loads of training, and yet it takes a team of people to diagnose a single issue.

 

Are our cars over complicated now? We love them when they work and hate them when they don't, and mainly because when something isn't working right, no one knows how to fix it. Welcome to the new age of automobiles my friends!

 

So keep in mind, when something isnt working in our cars, just think how complex they make them now. Sometimes its surprising how well they do work when every 1 and 0 lines up.

[inco]

Computers were around a lot earlier than 1995. In the year 1984 GM rolled out a Doug Nash transmission where the computer controlled the gear being selected. It was related to the speed you were trying to reach based on the position of your pedal! Go slow and it would drop into sixth gear. Go fast and you got all six. It was a wonderful tranny - not. They had to modify it and then of course it had to be re-certified by the EPA. Only automatics were available then. My Corvette order took 14 months as the GM system would kick it out every time there was a problem. Sport seats, tranny and black paint were the three ongoing issues.

Edited May 8, 2014 by inco

[acdii]

There were several early cars that were computer controlled, but I am referring to the average main stream production cars. OBDII became a standard mid 1995.