Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 16:56:39 -0500
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: electronics rant, (don't read it if you don't want to)
In-Reply-To: <RxFk1m01l3wi3L201xFmWY>
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---- Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Even more petite and mundane than this (but probably not as annoying) is the key for the new-to-me 2005 Dodge Caravan. Does all the fancy open/close/hatchlift/etc., but it's a chip key. I read the owner's manual to find out what I'm up against and learned that I can have a matching key cut, but if it is not a programmed chip key it will let me start the engine but the immobilizer will kick in after three minutes and cut off the engine. Probably a dealer only part even if we want a spare or two, and you can bet >they won't be cheap. Hate the big plastic lump in the pocket and prefer a flat key. No deal.
The electronic key for my Prius is a dealer only item, and costs $200 to replace. It only starts the car (if the key is in the car, even if in my pocket), and unlocks it (again, if in my pocket). But no hatch lift or other fancy business. However, I have to remember to push a key kill button if I leave the car for several days, or the 12 volt start battery will be depleted by the signals the car is emitting to ask the key if it is in the vicinity. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
Stephen
________________________________
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 2:11 PM
Subject: electronics rant, (don't read it if you don't want to)
Fellow listers: Keep your old vanagons, they can be fixed.
Please forgive me for posting a NVC rant.
My Toyota Prius has a display unit, called the Multi-function Display, in the center of the dash. This unit has a touch screen which is the means of controlling the AC, heater, audio, and is how one switches among various informational readouts. Mine failed, it will no longer take any instruction. Touching it just elicits ............. nothing. So, I cannot change the heat from face to feet (or the AC), I cannot change the AC or heat fan
speed. AC works, I don't know about heat. AC works on "automatic," which means the car, via some hidden sensors and computers, decides what temperature setting, where to blow air, and at what speed. Radio presets are only accessible via this unit, also, so no can use. The radio (and cd player) works, and there is an old fashioned tuning knob, so that's ok. Sound volume even has an old fashioned knob.
Arghh!!
Toyota dealer wants (yep, written quote) $6312 for this gem of some idiot engineer's or marketing guru's dreams, installed. Or, they will install an "exchange" unit (reconditioned) for $2964.
This does have a more generic point -- why are such electronics used, when simple mechanical devices serve as well or better? Oh, I know the answer -- profit. But even at that, I could buy a lot of computer for $6312. Of course, that's all this device is, an in dash computer.
Keep
your vanagons, they can be fixed, and such electronics are becoming more and more the norm in automobiles.
I found a used unit with half the miles that my car has for $150. I can install it myself, or the dealer will install it for $200. But what is the logic of buying used electronics that have shown a propensity for failure?
Arrgh ........ !!
mcneely
--
David McNeely
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