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Coding Error Sends 2019 Subaru Ascents to the Car Crusher:
Usually, news of an automotive-related software issue involves an error like last week's GM recall of 1 million SUVs and pickups because of a steering defect in their electric power-steering module. GM stated that the defect can cause a momentary loss of power steering followed by its sudden return, which can lead to an accident, and already has in about 30 known cases. GM says a software update to the module available from its dealers will fix the problem.
But a software remedy can't solve Subaru's issue with 293 of its 2019 Ascent SUVs. All 293 of the SUVs that were built in July will be scrapped because they are missing critical spot welds.
According to Subaru's recall notice [PDF] filed with the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the welding robots at the Subaru Indiana Automotive plant in Lafayette, Ind., were improperly coded, which meant the robots omitted the spot welds required on the Ascents' B-pillar. Consumer Reports states that the B-pillar holds the second-row door hinges. As a result, the strength of the affected Ascents' bodies may be reduced, increasing the possibility of passenger injuries in a crash.
Subaru indicated in the recall that "there is no physical remedy available; therefore, any vehicles found with missing welds will be destroyed." Luckily, only nine Ascents had been sold, and those customers are going to receive new vehicles. The rest were on dealer lots or in transit.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by RandomFactor on Sunday September 23 2018, @04:02PM (3 children)
I recall my dad thinking about 'maintainability' in purchasing vehicles.
I'm trying to think of anyone I know that really does that these days. Hell the last time I told my wife to just pick up spark plugs and I would do them I got a pretty rude awakening at just how UN-maintainable a modern vehicle has become and wound up basically saying go have this done, I'm out (Drop the engine to swap plugs? Seriously???)
The ability to access and fix and maintain vehicles doesn't dominate the purchase time decision so the company goes a few hundred dollars cheaper and gets the sale.
Whatever happened to that modular phone?
В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Arik on Sunday September 23 2018, @05:05PM (2 children)
Everyone I know does.
Not everyone demands to be treated as fully human, of course. Those that do, are buying, restoring, maintaining older cars instead of buying new. But most are looking for some level of compromise - which means this is still one of the things they're thinking about, they're just willing to compromise it to a degree for convenience or whatever - but it's still a factor they consider.
"(Drop the engine to swap plugs? Seriously???)"
What make and model, seriously?
"The ability to access and fix and maintain vehicles doesn't dominate the purchase time decision so the company goes a few hundred dollars cheaper and gets the sale."
It's almost a half full half empty perspective thing as well though. It's horrifying how much of this crap people will put up with - but the other side is this IS actively driving people away from new vehicles in large enough numbers to boost the used and vintage markets very noticeably, and surely that's a sign that there is some hope?
"Whatever happened to that modular phone?"
The manufacturers figured out that they could get enough people to buy compromised crap at high profit margins and then pay again and again and again through that, and therefore have no motivation to bring anything sane to market.
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 1) by Acabatag on Sunday September 23 2018, @07:34PM
A Bell 2500 set is a modular phone. If you disassemble one, you'll find there are components with date codes going back years. When a phone was removed from service, it went back to a depot and was turned into components.
This was even more so the case on pre-touchtone 500 sets.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Pslytely Psycho on Sunday September 23 2018, @09:51PM
Buick Skyhawk, Chevy Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, and Olds Starfire of the '75-'80 model years were equipped with a 3.8 liter V-6 that was very large for the size of the engine compartment on these small cars. The result was that, in order to change the spark plugs on the right bank of the engine, you had to disconnect the motor mounts, attach a chain hoist, and lift the engine at least a few inches in order to be able to access those plugs.
My '97 Camaro 3.8L is easier to do the plugs if you disconnect the exhaust manifold, or better yet replace it with a header. You can do it without but I usually end up making a blood sacrifice to the NGK gods trying to get my sausage fingers into the tiny areas the set back engine requires to access the damned plugs. The number six can't even have a proper socket wrench placed on it. You put the socket on and use a thin open ended wrench to loosen and tighten as there is less than an inch clearance between the top of the plug and steering components.
If memory serves me I believe the old '58 'Squarebird' T-birds had the same problem with the rear two plugs being inaccessible without lifting the engine a few inches.
Yeah, engineers don't have to work on them, and mechanics don't design them. Lot's of cars are very difficult to do routine servicing on.
Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.