ECU y2k issue

["Andrew Jackson (CCC-REO)" <Andrew.Jackson@digital.com>]

Do we *KNOW* that the ECUs don't hold the date - or are we just assuming
that they don't because we can see no reason for it?

I'd *guess* that most older ECUs would be OK, but some of the more
recent ones might hold the date.  Isn't it true that the computers on
some BMWs hold the date - and warn you when its time for your next
service etc?  I also seem to remember reading that on some cars (Fords?)
the explosive trigger for the airbag is deactivated after a certain
date/time to avoid problems/injury when they're being scrapped etc?

Of course, one would hope that newer car-computers which *do* hold a
date would be y2k compliant.  But is it wise for these concerns to be
dismissed out of hand?

In general - the y2k problem should not be underestimated. OK, if a VCR
gets confused when it hits 01/01/00 then its not a big problem. But if a
life support system in a hospital gets confused  then the consequences
could be a little more worrying.
On a personal note, most of the people I know who work with computers
are hoping to go and hide on a remote computer-free island on 31/12/99!

Andrew Jackson
(hoping to be out of IT Support by December '99 :-)