Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars

Post by jcgrillo » Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 5:06 AM UTC

colechristensen wrote: post #121

bluGill wrote: post #27

I used to work for a company that made third party scan tools. We had racks of ecus disconnected from the car with just a diagnostic connector and power. nothing got to a real car without first trying it on the rack. I remember on time we figured out a bmw (pre obdii) had the bytes offset from the standard documentation (it was a semi-standard protocol that some other cars used at the time), we went from we communica…

I spent the last week successfully reverse engineering my car / various scan tools to get the right information to diagnose a fuel pump problem (and to do so without the incredible awkwardness of many of the tools) It's pretty amazing what Claude + Ghidra + knowledgable coaching can accomplish. It was basically just setting direction, setting up an incremental workflow with the right kind of documentation, and questi…

Post by dostick » Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 5:27 AM UTC

varenc wrote: post #99

From the article > Tesla offers a “Root access program” on their bug bounty program. Researchers who find at least one valid “rooting” vulnerability will receive a permanent SSH certificate for their own car, allowing them to log in as root and continue their research further. Pretty interesting. Sounds like Apple's Security Research Device Program[0], where you're loaned a rooted iPhone, but with a clear qualificati…

Post by Dylan16807 » Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 5:50 AM UTC

girvo wrote: post #22

slfnflctd wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not saying there's anything wrong with your perspective (lots of terms get in muddied waters, it's common and not a problem if everyone is on the same page), but this is what I just found on Wikipedia: "Early on, the notebook computer and LCD vendors commonly used the term LVDS instead of FPD-Link when referring to their protocol, and the term LVDS has mistakenly become synonymous with Flat Panel Display Link in the…

Yeah I saw that too which is why I posted my comment, it's surprising to me :) LVDS for display cables was an incredibly term in that context. Even still is sometimes despite them mostly being eDP (embedded-DisplayPort) now, which is quite incorrect hah

Post by jeffreygoesto » Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 6:24 AM UTC

girvo wrote: post #10

It's funny to hear LVDS be described as an "automotive" cable when all of my run-ins with it are for connecting laptop displays to their main-boards! (though that has a very different connector on it, and its a very general term for the signalling protocol from what I remember)

Post by jeffreygoesto » Thu, Mar 26, 2026, 6:29 AM UTC

nandomrumber wrote: post #61

ferongr wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>then I needed to find a brake controller that can work with the higher voltage (14.4v vs the normal 12v) Put a voltmeter on the battery terminals of a regular car at 2000rpm and note the voltage. You'd be surpised (the alternator can produce as high as 15V on some cars).

I typically fault anything above 15.6V as “that’s a bit high, your alternator might be on its way out” when working on automotive / caravan / camper van appliances and accessories.