Even more petite and mundane than this (but probably not as annoying) is the key for the new-to-me 2005 Dodge Caravan.� Does all the fancy open/close/hatchlift/etc., but it's a chip key.� I read the owner's manual to find out what I'm up against and learned that I can have a matching key cut, but if it is not a programmed chip key it will let me start the engine but the immobilizer will kick in after three minutes and cut off the engine.� Probably a dealer only part even if we want a spare or two, and you can bet they won't be cheap. Hate the big plastic lump in the pocket and prefer a flat key.� No deal.
�
Stephen
�
 

________________________________
 From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
Sent: Monday, September 16, 2013 2:11 PM
Subject: electronics rant, (don't read it if you don't want to)
  

Fellow listers:� Keep your old vanagons, they can be fixed.

Please forgive me for posting a NVC rant.

My Toyota Prius has a display unit, called the Multi-function Display, in the center of the dash.� This unit has a touch screen which is the means of controlling the AC, heater, audio, and is how one switches among various informational readouts.� Mine failed, it will no longer take any� instruction.� Touching it just elicits ............. nothing.� So, I cannot change the heat from face to feet (or the AC), I cannot change the AC or heat fan
 speed.� AC works, I don't know about heat.� AC works on "automatic," which means the car, via some hidden sensors and computers, decides what temperature setting, where to blow air, and at what speed.� Radio presets are only accessible via this unit, also, so no can use.� The radio (and cd player) works, and there is an old fashioned tuning knob, so that's ok.� Sound volume even has an old fashioned knob.

Arghh!!

Toyota dealer wants (yep, written quote) $6312 for this gem of some idiot engineer's or marketing guru's dreams, installed.� Or, they will install an "exchange" unit (reconditioned) for $2964.

This does have a more generic point -- why are such electronics used, when simple mechanical devices serve as well or better?� Oh, I know the answer -- profit.� But even at that, I could buy a lot of computer for $6312.� Of course, that's all this device is, an in dash computer.

Keep
 your vanagons, they can be fixed, and such electronics are becoming more and more the norm in automobiles.

I found a used unit with half the miles that my car has for $150.� I can install it myself, or the dealer will install it for $200.� But what is the logic of buying used electronics that have shown a propensity for failure?

Arrgh ........ !!

mcneely