Odometer fraud

[corvette66]

The many times I have pulled my digital dash out to inspect for shorts, I have always wondered what keeps people from just unplugging the odometer motor, heck it even has a harness to just pull it out. So dose the computer know if someone tampers with it? Is that what deters people from this scam? And even still, all one would have to do is take the gear off the motor, this way the motor is still running but the miles are not roll'n. and the computer wouldn't be the wiser.
I don't drive my car enough to bother with that, but for thoes who use their vettes as daily drivers............
I'm not say'n you should do it, just wondering what would deter someone from this

 

[grapeknutz]

The CCM records and displays the odometer readings, just changing the dash cluster wont change the readings.

 

[vetteboy86]

I think on the 91 and up the display is digital. On earlier vettes the odometer isn't. You would think the computer would know if this harness was unplugged, but I dont know. I guess you have to realize that the computers in our cars are anciet history by todays standards. All I know is that my girlfriends dad's honda noticed the odometer wasn't working. He had driven it all summer without it working and never noticed it(wifes car). It do anything. He took it back to the honda dealership and they fixed it. I good project, but an illegal one at that.

Craig

 

[corvette66]

grapenutz,

im sure replacing the cluster wouldn't do anything, like you say. but what i was thinking, was... if you remove the gear on the odometer motor, the motor is still running, so the ECM will not see anything wrong, but the miles are not gunna be click'n down.
I was just wondering how smart the 80's technology was

 

[ProEMTPFF]

The new digital stuff CAN be beat, I've seen it. One of the hardest digitals to beat are the new Fords and I've seen it done. So, I'd imagine the '80's are no problem at all.

 

[Alloydude]

A friend of mine had the odometer unplugged on his 86. with no ill effects. Frozen in time at just over 18,000 miles. I don’t think it matters one way or the other to the ECM. You’d think it would be integrated into the dash cluster somehow to prevent it from accidentally being disconnected. :eyerole I personally prefer to know how many miles are actually on my vehicle or any vehicle I purchase.

 

[c4cruiser]

The CCM records and displays the odometer readings, just changing the dash cluster wont change the readings.

This is true only on the later C4's where the odometer reading is a digital display. The CCM records and displays miles driven. The CCM can be replaced but because the CCM has certain values programmed into it (the VIN for example), CCM's canot be easily swapped between later cars. If a new CCM has to be installed, only a dealer can provide them and a special programmer is needed to set up a new CCM. Even if one is installed without going thru a dealer, a new CCM cannot record any further mileage after 100 miles are driven without first being programmed.

 

[Ken]

... what keeps people from just unplugging the odometer motor?

In a word - INTEGRITY. I know there are dishonest Corvette people out there, but I don't know many personally. I hope we have an honest community here.

As for the CCM recording everything, that doesn't apply to the earlier units. Change the odometer and nobody would be the wiser.

 

[corvette66]

interesting stuff guys,

be careful who you buy from eh

 

[ProEMTPFF]

be careful who you buy from eh

Yep, thats why I bought my dad's '86 because I know EVERYTHING about it and I know the 6800 miles that was showing on it was true actual milage. Now it has a whole 7000 miles on it in the two months I've had it.

 

[corvette66]

an 86 with only 7000 miles wow thats a keeper!!!!!!

 

[ProEMTPFF]

an 86 with only 7000 miles wow thats a keeper!!!!!!

That she is! I remember the day my dad brought her home when I was 16 years old back in '86. I finally talked him into selling her to me just two months ago. she was 100% original, I changed a few things BUT I kept EVERYTHING that came off of her. I even have the original goodyear gatorbacks. The wife came to me at the firestation the other day and gave me a cake that said "Your going to be a daddy". I in turn said "Well I hope so one day". She said "No, you are" and showed me the 3 pergancy test. The first words to come out of my mouth was "Well, I'm NOT selling the vette!". She did'nt find it funny but she does understand. Now, I found out its going to be twins and still the vette will NEVER leave me. Its like part of the family to me. Oh yea, I'm a professional Firefighter-Paramedic.