Oh, I don't think it would damage the ignition- that would be a
rather unpleasant anti-theft device. I was just thinking it might
refuse to start until the computer was cleared.
There would be no reason to use bulky equipment in that type of
application- a small microchip could easily contain the info needed.
All it's supposed to be is a code so the vehicles electronic system
can recognize it. It would be annoying to the driver to have to haul
around a huge honkin' key. The microchips used for pet ID cost about
$25 retail- we're not talking super expensive technology here. The
size of the chip in that application is driven mostly by the size of
the little bitty transmitter-no need for it to be bigger, since it's
a weak and passive signal. When used on cats and dogs, it is
injected under the skin between the shoulderblades- they have very
few nerves there, and there's enough space there on most critters to
implant a small laptop.
Anyway, it's a similar need- just a short code that in the pet ID app
is read by a handheld scanner, on a vehicle the electronics/computer
could handle it.
However, I'm not saying my Dakota definitely has this- just that the
owners manual says it does, so I assumed that it did. And I am sure
that my dealer was NOT lying when they told me it did (as someone
suggested he was), even if it doesn't. The dealer would have had no
reason to lie, as I had already bought the truck. He could have been
mistaken.
Flip
---- Begin Original Message ----
From: fawcett@uism.bu.edu
Sent: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 20:42:29 -0500
To: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net>
Subject: DML: Re[5]: DML: Remote Start Key question
Bummer. I'd up the anti and say I'd pay for a new ignition if the
dupe damaged
it, but it doesn't sound like you're game... Oh well, just trying to
make it
interesting. :-)
As far as I know the optional ignition keys are not malicious, I.E.
they either
work or they don't. The lawsuits would be incredible if they were
malicious!
Can you imagine, "Sorry honey, I put my Honda key in you're Daks
ignition by
mistake. I guess you'll have to replace the whole ignition now and
not be able
to use it until you do, huh?". I really don't think so.
As far as microchips go, sure, specialized chip sets can be
incredibly small.
I'm sure they could fit it into the current handle, but that's not
the
implementation that I've seen or heard about. Miniaturization comes
with a
price and I don't think it's cost effective or necessary to get that
small yet.
For biological applications, yeah, I suspect extreme miniaturization
is
critical.
I guess you'll just have to take my word for it that standard
equipment Kota
keys are not electronically coded to the vehicle... For the '98
& '99 model
years anyway.
Tom
http://www.care2.com - Homebase for people who care about the Environment!
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:47:16 EDT