Toyota secretive on 'black box' data

I find it insulting that Toyota would claim not to monitor brake/abs and accelerator position in any crash recording systems.

 

Interesting how they don't monitor the systems when they are at fault and do monitor the systems when they are not at fault.... I wonder why that is?

 

Do all Toyotas have this system or is it just USA models?

 

It is a company secret - if you don't know the answer to your question, you must not be worthy enough. I don't know the answer to your question, so I am definitely not worthy enough.

 

All toyota's have ERDs. I do not know if they record the same information in different regions. I am not even sure if there is a laptop in Europe with software installed to read the things.

 

So why have it then? Is it a system they're testing or is it a 'get out of jail free' card for when law suits against them turn nasty?

 

Has anyone around here tried to interface with the box and see if they could pull any data from it?

It would also be nice to know if the box can be owner disabled without botching up some other part of the electronics.

 

AFAIK the Toyota Prius repair manual is silent on the question of EDR, so I do not know whether this functionality exists; and if so, exactly where the data is stored. If it exists, maybe the SRS ECU stores the data since that ECU is supposed to be replaced after airbags are triggered.

 

It's really beginning to sound like Toyota knows what the computer problem but they refuse to implement a fix.

My guess is that it would require some computer sensor replacement that would require serious rebuilding of current cars. The recall cost on 8 million cars would be prohibitive.

But if this continues and they don't do anything, I would think they could have bigger problems.

 

This is going to get incredibly bad for Toyota...they have known all along. The largest car company in the world and this has been questioned for 6-7 years, do you really think they don't know? Maybe Mr Toyoda does not know, but do you really think nobody at toyota knows?

 

Can the experts here offer some insight here re the implementation of ERDs in Prius? How detailed is the captured info. What is captured. Is the 2010 version even more comprehensive. etc.
You folks seem to know a lot of the specs in the various software systems in the Prius, and perhaps the ERD as well.

From what's coming out (in the Press...) this could be extremely damning for Toyota. If the 'ERD holdback of information in court cases' and the acceleration issue is a glitch in software/electronics, hold on....

 

First, a comment on the black box -- from George Carlin:
"If the "black box" flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff?"

:focus:

Back on topic, there is a disquieting issue which has been raised in lawsuits involving the former Big 3 -- the alleged practice of comparing the economics of adding a safety feature to a car vs the cost of instead paying off those lawsuits which occur without it.

I don't know either way whether if this has ever been established in court, but it has been alleged numerous times -- such as in the stopped Crown Victoria Police Interceptors some of which burst into flames when hit from behind by another car at hi-way speeds.

But, in concept, it's an attractive allegation. Wouldn't cars stop faster if they all had disc brakes front and back? Couldn't still-stronger metal be used in some crash-prone areas of the car (where it wouldn't negate the energy-absorbing crush zone for accidents)?

And so, Toyota has probably had similar discussions and perhaps some fall along these lines and might come to light even if the ultimate cause of the problem is different.

 

I am a 2006 Prius owner and have always talked up about my Prius, but I think its about time Toyota stepped up to the plate and really fix the problem. Already there are reports of acceleration problems after the fix. There is no way you can convince me that the recall for the floor mats have anything to do with the problem. If the problem is in the ECM that would probably effect every Toyota with the same module back as far as 2001. I have not had the problem yet but it could occur when the right set of conditions are met. Will I buy another Toyota product, I am really not sure, if you would asked me that question 6 months ago I would said yes. If they are sweeping the ECM under the carpet then my answer is a definate NO.

 

Keep chanting ... I'm certain the gloom & doom forcast will happen... someday


What's really bazar is how normally the personal injury attornies (though they call their group "Consumer Attornies" ... if you want to be polite) are a hated lot ... accused of stiring up more than what's really there. And yet now, a much larger than normal minority seem to cling to their every word. When THEY say Toyota is hiding something (just try to disprove a negative) ... it makes GREAT press ... and so regardless how unfounded, the press need to sell advertising ... and DRAMA SELLS.

So the policy holders (Manufacturers GM, Toyota, Ford, etc) WILL get their insurance rates jacked up ... passed along to you & I via the cost of production of future cars ... for the 10 or 12 deaths out of the 30ish fatalities (out of what ... 8 million cars) hoping to cash in. Then the insurance industry (THE strongest lobby in the nation) will arm twist congress for even higher hurdles in order to recover for ALL claims. Remember that, next time you need a medical specialist for your liver or back or cancer or what ever.
aint america great?


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If it is the ECM (and it could be the ECM; that and the Traction Control VSC) function is where I would be looking), Toyota could be trying to sweep it under the rug for a simple reason - COST. If they had to replace the ECM hardware in every car they made since 2002, that expense would erase the current balance in the Cash account on Toyota's Balance Sheet.

 

Here's the Toyota FAQ on ERD published back in Sep 2008.

Secretive? Hardly.

 

Regardless of the critics, the problem will be solved when the inventory of readers reaches at least 100:

55 days and counting to April 30
​

Bob Wilson

 

Because the aircraft would be too heavy to fly. Engineering is always a compromise.