What if the code reader does damage the ECM, and don't say it could never happen...
I didn't say that. I said it's highly unlikely.
I also said I've never heard of an ECM being damaged by a code reader. Code readers are passive with regards to electrical output, and the electronics on the ECM are set up specifically to prevent electrical spikes that would fry the chips.
...and the truck won't start because of it and you need to be towed to a repair shop. There's your proof that an unauthorized entity hooked up to the ECM.
Yeah, an there's your rock-solid proof of who cooked the ECM, too.
I'm pretty sure that would void the OEM warranty.
Maybe, maybe not. It depends on how much information you give to the tow truck driver and the repair shop about the circumstances. Tell them you pulled over for inspection and "it just wouldn't start," and they have no way to prove that a code reader did the damage, unless the officer volunteers that information. But if the officer volunteered that kind of information, it would give rock-solid a whole new level of rock-solid and they'd absolutely be on the hook for the cost of the repair.
I know its a lot of if's but it just could happen...
Yes, I suppose it "just could happen", but take the number of cars and trucks in the world that have OBD and OBD-II ports (roughly 600 million), times the percentage of cars and trucks in the world who have code readers attached to them by individuals, shade tree mechanics and dealers on a daily basis (let's go with an extraordinarily conservative 10%, as many vehicles have code readers permanently attached, so 60 million), and then take that number and multiply it times the number of days in a year, and there's your chances of it "just" happening. 60,000,000 X 365 = a 1 in 21,900,000,000 (1-in-21.9 billion) chance of
your specific ECM being damaged by a passive code reader. It's just about the same chances of a meteor landing on your house (1-in-[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
182,138,880,000)[/FONT], give or take.
Just havin' a little fun here. Don't get all rankled.
When reprogramming the ECM, to change the speed limiter settings,
that's when the ECM is likely to be damaged if it's not done properly and with the proper static charge safeguards. It's like flashing the BIOS of a computer.
...and I for one will not take that chance.
Not much of a risk-taker, I see.
Chances of:
Dying from choking on food: 1-in-370,035
Serious injury from shaving: 1-in-6,585
Death from vehicle accident: 1-in-6,539
Serious injury from mowing the lawn: 1-in-3,623
Fatally slipping in bath or shower: 1-in-2,232
Dying within the next year from any kind injury: 1-in-1,820
I drive a van so this is not an issue for me personally, but if I were in a truck I would almost certainly not reprogram my ECM for Canada. If that meant no Canada, so be it. Upon entering Canada I am doing so with the explicit understanding that I will not break Canadian laws. Forcing me to limit the vehicle via the ECM is nothing more than Canada telling me right up front that they don't believe me.
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