Ive been hearing about this lately, too. I cant believe it either. Problem is, with newer cars, whether you're "allowed" to work on your car or not, just opening the hood seems to be a daunting task.
Seems like car companies are making it so difficult to do anything that the days of the backyard mechanic are dwindling quickly. 

______________

Another great reason to own a C3. Not sure how this would affect people with '81 or '82 cars, but those are pretty easy to de-computer. I love the part about never owning the car, just buying a license to use it for the rest of it's life !! Good luck with that !!

______________
John Sigmund

I thought the same thing...wtf?

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Thank God I live in Canada, do you know how hard it would be for that to happen here?  People drive miles just to get to a garage


______________

  It'll never work!  The amount of people put out of work will cripple the unemployment system.  Now that The General has closed so many dealerships there are not enough places to go for the system to work. The ones still in business cannot possibly keep pace with the need. POLITICS will have to be changed, as not enough people will have their fingers in the pockets of the lowly day to day worker who will foot the bill.

______________

Click on image for full view

WHAT ????  Are you all Crazy!!!!!

______________
          



(click to see a larger image)

MAN!

______________

I don't understand. Are they saying you can't fix software related items only? Or they say you can't fix anything?

______________

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

This particular bru-ha is over the software written into the vehicle control modules. Changing a line of code, or modifying certain operational parameters is akin to tweaking the distributor timing, installing headers, or swapping a carburetor on an older car. Even back then, these things would usually void the warranty. The issue is after the warranty expires, the manufacturer no longer has any say in what is done...so they should just shut the f up. What they are attempting is to keep anyone for modifying the programming period....warranty or not. They can already tell if the program has been modified on a vehicle, and that's all they need to deny ANY warranty work, even thought your warranty issue might have nothing to do with a modified PCM. Windshield wipers/power windows/left brake light quit working? Sorry...you voided your warranty by reprogramming the PCM.



______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Yeah on some cars they can tell by the "flash" count. If the ECU has been flashed by the dealer say 2 times and they go to do some diagnostic work and they see for example 4 on the count...not good. They can void your warranty on the spot. 

______________

GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

One of the stupidest things I've EVER heard! Big Brother here we come!

______________
"Down on the Boardwalk...

(Click image to see a larger version}