Doomsayers and all that

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

I happen to know someone that could run a  new batch of outdated IC boards 
if the components were still available. It ain't that hard. If the IC is 
available then it can be populated and sold for not a lot of money per 
unit. The IC itself is another proposition, but eventually I think it 
likely that a type of universal ECU will be readily and economically 
available for retrofit to electronically regulated cars.

Skilled workers are another problem entirely. It is not a bad thing that 
components (parts!) are getting cheaper and more reliable. I do not quibble 
at the cost of R&R a part that used to be repaired. Spark plugs are a case 
in point, I mean who would bother to clean and regap a plug these days? A 
new plug is maybe $3.00, probably less. Newer plugs are more expensive but 
require no maintenance for 50,000 miles.

Replaceable components are the answer as labour gets expensive. this is not 
a problem. My current fleet of cars has mostly electronic engine 
management. the electrics are incredibly reliable. Even the "frontline" 
parts, the sensors, rarely give trouble. The ECU are essentially 
bulletproof, never even heard of one failing. the sensors are pretty well 
bulletproof, I've replaced the odd temperature sensor and that's it. The 
ignition timing sensor (crank or distributor), the air pressure sensor, the 
AMM, the knock sensor (turbo car), and so on are original on all my cars.

Roll on electronic controls, replaceable body bits, and so on, it works.
Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta,Canada
91 Alfa 164L

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