Question: Hacking The ECU For Better MPG
Vincent, I have read several of your articles and know that you are an expert in the automotive field. I enjoyed your ECU article in ABOUT.COM, but need more information about the subject.
I have a small R&D team who have been working on an inexpensive after-market product that generates and introduces hydrogen (HHO) into the engine air intake. Our objective is to increase MPG and reduce emissions on cars and trucks.
We have made excellent progress on the Hydrogen Generator device (the "HODPOD") that will integrate with any car and generate the needed HHO (Hydrogen on Demand) at a rate of 2 Liters per minute at 20 AMPS.
However, our next big hurdle is to understand and control the ECU signals ... either the input signals from the sensors, or/or the output signals from the ECU to the EFI, Timing and gas pump systems
Are there any hints or tips that you might offer on the best way to over-ride the ECU signals (either input or output) with a 3rd party "black box"? We have interest in either buying a current "black box" or designing and building our own for this purpose.
Answer:
As much as is known about Electronic Control Units there is no way to hack into them. Electronic Control Unit s are sealed and cannot be hacked into. There is no interface to tie-in to an Electronic Control Unit to enable reprogramming the Electronic Control Unit. Hacking into an Electronic Control Unit will void any warranties for that particular vehicle.
If an Electronic Control Unit of a vehicle is hacked into, it may cause the vehicle not to run or not perform at its designed peak efficiency. It may also create a dangerious or otherwise unsafe condition resulting in death or dismemberment.
The Electronic Control Unit controls Acceleration (Except Wide Open Throttle), Cruise control, Deceleration, Warm Idle, Limp-In Operation,Ignition Switch on (Zero RPM), Engine Start-Up (Cranking), Engine Warm Up, Wide Open Throttle (WOT), Ignition Switch Off and many other functions of engine and transmission function.
Vincent Ciulla - Vincent Ciulla has been a professional automotive technician for over 35 years and is a certified master technician with experience in ...
