As some of you know, our Camaro's and Firebirds have a "BlackBox" that monitors and stores data, I believe the last 5 seconds, about our driving. I think there were installed on 1999 and above.

I never thought about it, till I read this:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...atoday/5165217

Does anyone know a way to disable it? Is there a law against disabling this Black Box?

 

I can't imagine its illegal to disable, that would raise a hellspawn legal battle. As far as how to actually disable it i couldn't tell ya.

 

i think they have been in our cars/others since way before '99. i know the vettes got them in the early 90's

Jon

 

I remember reading about this on one of the boards last year. It's tied into the airbags so disabling it could be dangerous. I'll search around and see if I can find the post.

 

Ahh! I bet you that its that silver box under the main console! Makes sense that they would integrate it with the air bags system, cause then it would be very hard to tinker.

 

Couldn't find the link I was looking for but found this while searching:

www.claimsmag.com/Issues/June02/black.asp

The article says it's under the seat, but I think you're right, it's in the console.

 

Why do you want to disable it?

 

just cause.. personally, the less tracking, the better, even if i'm not doing anything wrong..

If something is tracking me that doesn't have to be on, I'd rather have it off.

for example, how would you feel if they started tracking where you drive your car around? I wouldn't want to give that information out, else I would want complete control who has access to that information..

eh oh well..

 

The information could be used against you in court. Just make sure if you are in an accident that you are not at fault and you won't have to worry.

Hey, it's a good weight savings too if you remove it.

Mine is located in my console in my 98.

 

did u remove it? if so how?

 

No I haven't but would like to if it doesn't deploy an air bag.

 

If somebody really needs to do that, I'm sure they have better methods for that.

But... What ever floats your boat, I guess...

And no, that thing doesn't bother me one bit.


TS

 

The "black box" does not actually record anything. It does monitor a few things (throttle position, brake application, vehicle speed, and two others that I can't remember)

When the airbags deploy, the module locks the data that it monitored during the last 5 seconds.

So, the only data that is recorded is the 5 seconds prior to a crash that was severe enough to deploy the airbags.


I see no reason to disable it.

 

GM gave a California company permission in 2000 to sell a computer program to download data. Since then, information from black boxes has been showing up more frequently in accident investigations and in court:

Anyways, I personally think the "black box" thing is a hoax. If it was easy enough to just plug it in some computer and see the last 5 seconds of an accident, insurance companies would be the FIRST to use them.

 

OK. Here's my conspiracy theory. There isn't one single law that can be called undeniable unjust. There isn't one law on the books that you can point at and say "this is the problem". It's a combination of laws. It's all of the little laws, like seatbelts, helmets, blackbox recorders, smoking, I/M 240, etc that when combined will turn us into an oppressed society.

Think about it. It's not about the law itself, it's the presidence that a law can set that paves the way to more laws.

So they make blackboxes illegal to diffuse, and legitamate evidence in court. It's only 5 seconds, right? No big deal....but...that small infringement on your right to privacy paves the way to the next step. Incorporating a blackbox into the satellite navigation. So now they know the exact time, location, direction, speed, maybe even where you came from. Still not a huge deal...still for a good cause. OK, next step...the blackbox and satelilite navigation work together to report when you break the speed limit, roll through stop sign, run an orange light, etc. Now it can track you throughout your day, as well. Now it's a big deal, because you have a serious violation of your right to privacy...but it is still a good cause, right? It's so you won't break the law, or that law breakers can be brought to justice more efficiently. Next step, they can disable your vehicle if you miss a car payment, run from a cop, etc...now, you are no longer a free man, you are UNDER CONTROL. Which is exactly what ANY government wants. Control. And tax money....

Just think about it. Look at the EPA....who would have believed, 30 years ago, that it would be illegal to "tamper" with your own vehicle? Go back to 1964 and tell a guy with a '64 GTO that he's not allowed to rejet the carb, advance the timing, or run a full tube header. he would tell you that could never happen. Now take your Z28 to an emissions inspector and have him take a look at your LT's and custom tune, and see what he says. It was orginally for a good cause. But it is that exact pathway that has caused nearly every aspect of your life to be more complicated and expensive.

OK, this is really long, sorry.
Stepping off soap box.
Scott