I agree with the points that you made, Keith. Indeed, very true, electronics will not last as long as the car, yet the use of the car depends on them.

 
I like less electronics in my car as well which is why I tried to maintain my 2001 Hyundai Accent for as long as I could.

My dream car would be one that is modular, easy to repair, and has easy access to critical parts in the engine bay that can be replaced. 
The car version of a Framework laptop.

On Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM Keith Smith via PLUG-discuss <plug-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org> wrote:

I might step on some toes so forgive me up front.

You said "I am very interested in using a Linux based computers and Open
Source computer systems to diagnose and maintain automobiles..."

I'm an old guy. From around 1972 to around 1984 I was a muscle car guy. 
No electronics in those cars.  I like it that way.

I hate that cars have electrons.  I'm ok with an am/fm radio, electric
windows (to a point),  anything else is too much for me.

You buy a car today and it's electronics are outdated in 5 years.  The
car can go 30 years/300k miles. But the electronics cannot keep up.

Ok so what you are thinking of doing sounds exciting, especially if you
can replace the manufacture's electronics with some Linux based
homegrown system.

Right to Repair is a big deal and you might be on the leading edge of
something big...

Keith





On 2025-02-12 18:13, greg zegan via PLUG-discuss wrote:
> I have been wanting to ask about this subject as well because I am
> seriously considering this subject:
>
> OPEN SOURCING AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS
>
> Open Sourcing Automotive Diagnostics [1]
>
> OPEN SOURCING AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTICS
>
> I am very interested in using a Linux based computers and Open Source
> computer systems to diagnose and maintain automobiles.  I really think
> there could be an open market on repairs because of the cost of modern
> automobiles and tractors is so high.
>
> I use to work for CNHI for a short contract a few years ago and they
> along with John Deere are causing farmers to complain to the point of
> states like Nebraska coming out with laws making it legal for them to
> "hack" the computer system so they can use a malfunctioning computer
> system in a tractor and get their crop harvested or planted.
>
> I heard in the Ukraine they are openly providing hacks and cracks to
> the farmers so they can use the tractors saving them money.  American
> farmers were rumored to be downloading these tools to fix their
> computer systems here in America.
>
> I would really like to see free market forces in play for auto owners
> so they can remove factory equipment favor of open source products and
> computer systems that would compliment this activity.
>
> Beyond that, I would find it very interesting if there were a forum
> and symposium on this subject here in the Phoenix area.  It would
> offer a range of subjects such as securing your auto and how to get
> the most out of an auto.
>
> So if you have ideas please share.
>
> thanks,
> Greg
>
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qcBVxCZr4k
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