Are radio influences on ECUs possible?

Hello!

My VW T4 Caravelle, manufactured in 2000, with the ACV engine and a chip, exhibits a peculiar problem on the highway. When I pass a specific radio tower while using the cruise control (regardless of speed), the engine control unit malfunctions. Initially, it seems like the cruise control suddenly disengages, then it re-engages, creating an on/off effect like a loose connection, which is temporary until the cruise control completely shuts off. Accelerating is ineffective; the engine stops responding. Only pressing the clutch or brake pedal restores everything to its normal state. So, just like you would disable the cruise control by performing the same action.

But, as I already mentioned, this phenomenon only occurs in a very specific location. Right at that specific location, next to the highway, there's a radio mast that doesn't contain typical cell phone transmitters and isn't as tall as other masts.

Having observed this multiple times now, I believe this sender is the cause, as otherwise it would be a huge coincidence. I've never had such a problem before.

Best regards, Peter.

P.S.: No error codes found in the system's memory.

Hello,

In principle, this is possible. Even if the control units are housed in a metal box and have corresponding shielding on the connector, it is possible that the wiring harness acts like an antenna, which can lead to malfunctions in the ECU (regardless of the type). This is thoroughly tested during the development of a vehicle, both at the device and vehicle level, with very high levels of interference. However, it seems that it cannot be completely ruled out, as it is reproducible in your case. What's that old rule of thumb? The higher the frequency, the longer the faces.

Regards,
Stefan.

But, as I already mentioned, this phenomenon only occurs in a very specific location. Right at that specific location, next to the highway, there's a radio mast that doesn't contain typical cell phone transmitters and isn't as tall as other masts.


That doesn't matter. People are always complaining about cell phone towers. But no one cares that the FM transmitter right next door is broadcasting with a thousand times more power.

Try to figure out exactly what's running on the server.
Do you have an exact location for the mast?

'External influences on vehicle electronics can never be ruled out; I've witnessed several cases. For example, a colleague's BMW would always fail at the same location. It was absolutely reproducible and occurred directly within the radiation field of a radio communication tower.'
Unfortunately, all cables can act as potential antennas, radiating all sorts of signals and also interfering with the control units.
'All it takes is for one umbrella to tear, and then things start to happen (e.g.,)' (ABS or kilowatt sensors...)

My scooter would also occasionally misbehave, meaning it would jerk or stutter intermittently.
It turns out that the problem was caused by my phone being in my breast pocket. Every time I came out of an area with poor reception (like a valley or a forest) and my phone reconnected to the network with full power, it would cause the engine to stutter. The engine has a WFS (Wireless Frequency System), and I suspect that the signal from the phone's antenna is being picked up by the reading coil and then coupled to the ignition module.

CU Gremlin.

Hello and happy New Year!

Thank you for your responses. Looking at the development of a vehicle, with its countless radio tests involving the vehicle's electronics and the constant vibrations that the control units are subjected to, it's always surprising how all of this works so flawlessly despite everything.

I will find out the coordinates of the transmitter and I will also cautiously inquire at the post office about what kind of transmitter it is, because now I am even more interested.

Actually, I just wanted to rule out the possibility that it might be a defective batch of control units, and that I, of all people, installed one of those in my T4.

Greetings, Peter.

Is there somewhere near a highway a transmission mast (longwave, if I remember correctly) that emits such a strong signal that a shielding structure had to be built over the highway to prevent cars from stopping in large numbers?

Best regards, WarLord.

I know an example of a Fiat Punto that was driving on the road when it encountered a railway crossing next to a train station.
If you drove quickly and went over it, the car would just shake.
However, if you had to stop at that transition point, the engine would stall, and it wouldn't restart, even if you tried to coax it.

Either 50 meters back or 100 meters forward... and then, obediently, it started up again.
Every morning, every afternoon, the same thing happens, so it's 100% reproducible... The comment from the Fiat workshop was: 'Then they should drive a different route; we can't help them with that.'

Hi,

The workshop is right... at least until something goes wrong. And that immediately looks like gross negligence...

Regards,
Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Micha'