Black box...
Black box... Ok, so this weekend I was swapping out my monsoon cd player for a rockford, and upon trying to get the new cd player to fit, I realize there is a box in the way. So I remove the box and give it a good inspection. It is a plain black box, not very big, and it resided just behind the factory monsoon cd player. Is this the black box that logs information before a crash? I originally thought it might be the air bag controller but I discovered it to be located behind the shifter. If this isnt the black box, what is it and what does it do?
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The BCM (Body Control Module) is the "black box" that records data from the last five seconds before a crash. It is located under the right side of the dash near the back of the glovebox.
BTW, the NTSB has been putting "black boxes" with audio recording in pickup trucks for the last few years in an effort to study the driver's reactions in the moments before a fatal crash. In 49 states they found that the driver's last words were "Oh, ****!!!" but in Georgia they found that the last words were "Hold my beer - watch this!".
BTW, the NTSB has been putting "black boxes" with audio recording in pickup trucks for the last few years in an effort to study the driver's reactions in the moments before a fatal crash. In 49 states they found that the driver's last words were "Oh, ****!!!" but in Georgia they found that the last words were "Hold my beer - watch this!".
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Originally Posted by WhiteBird00
BTW, the NTSB has been putting "black boxes" with audio recording in pickup trucks for the last few years in an effort to study the driver's reactions in the moments before a fatal crash. In 49 states they found that the driver's last words were "Oh, ****!!!" but in Georgia they found that the last words were "Hold my beer - watch this!".
The black box is under the center console. Its not really black, its silver.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/pcm-diagnostics-tuning/91289-black-box-questions.html
You can see it here with a yellow label on it:
Too bad there wasn't a way to remove it. I don't like recording the last seconds of impact. They can use it to convict you court if you were speeding and caused an accident.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/pcm-diagnostics-tuning/91289-black-box-questions.html
You can see it here with a yellow label on it:
Too bad there wasn't a way to remove it. I don't like recording the last seconds of impact. They can use it to convict you court if you were speeding and caused an accident.
Originally Posted by rodent
The black box is under the center console. Its not really black, its silver.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91289
You can see it here with a yellow label on it:
Too bad there wasn't a way to remove it. I don't like recording the last seconds of impact. They can use it to convict you court if you were speeding and caused an accident.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91289
You can see it here with a yellow label on it:
Too bad there wasn't a way to remove it. I don't like recording the last seconds of impact. They can use it to convict you court if you were speeding and caused an accident.
Originally Posted by Time2Kill
Thats the air bag control module. The black box as stated above is the "BCM" or body control module which is clipped in underneath the dash behind the glove box.
The BCM controls the seat belts, interior lighting, fuel enable circuit, power door locks, keyless entry, retained accessory power (pwr windows, radio etc.), your rear hatch, the IP and the audible warnings for a start but it does not record anything. It might be black but is not really considered the secret "black box" that GM has been installing in all their cars.
http://camarossworld.com/FAQ/Camaro%20SS%20FAQs/#S2.4
2.4) What is the "black box?"
The "black box" is a device that records automotive crash data.
It's called a black box because because it performs some of the same functions as the "flight data recorders" used in passenger airlines. (Those are called black boxes because at one time they were black.) At the time of an event that triggers the airbags, the SDM stores the previous five seconds worth of the following information:
Acceleration/deceleration
Vehicle speed
Engine speed
Throttle position
Brake use
Driver's belt switch
The information, which can be read using a PC and appropriate interface hardware and software, is permanently stored and cannot be erased.
2.5) Where is the black box located?
The "Sensing Diagnostic Module" (SDM) is a small silver box located in the center console just forward of the console storage compartment.
The "black box" is a device that records automotive crash data.
It's called a black box because because it performs some of the same functions as the "flight data recorders" used in passenger airlines. (Those are called black boxes because at one time they were black.) At the time of an event that triggers the airbags, the SDM stores the previous five seconds worth of the following information:
Acceleration/deceleration
Vehicle speed
Engine speed
Throttle position
Brake use
Driver's belt switch
The information, which can be read using a PC and appropriate interface hardware and software, is permanently stored and cannot be erased.
2.5) Where is the black box located?
The "Sensing Diagnostic Module" (SDM) is a small silver box located in the center console just forward of the console storage compartment.
Originally Posted by glitch77
I told you it was in the console. 
Im sure that there is a way to kill it, someone should pull the +12 wire and see if the car still runs, I be it would.
Im sure that there is a way to kill it, someone should pull the +12 wire and see if the car still runs, I be it would.
Last edited by rodent; Dec 28, 2003 at 01:47 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 554
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From: NY
Originally Posted by SidewayzOZ
Are you positive thats it? My car has that, but when I looked at it I swear it was labelled air bag controller...
The best way to do this is to have the tools in the car. When your in an accident (serious one), remove the 2 screws holding the center console on, disconnect and remove the blackbox, carry it with you and hide it good (in case the car is not totalled) which you may want to put it back when the car is repaired so the airbags would work in case of a another accident.
I don't like the black box for 2 reasons:
If the other car is a older car and does not have the black box, that is not a fair justice.
It's MY car and i don't want anybody having information of my driving style.
Originally Posted by Midnight F-117A
I don't like the black box for 2 reasons:
If the other car is a older car and does not have the black box, that is not a fair justice.
It's MY car and i don't want anybody having information of my driving style.
If the other car is a older car and does not have the black box, that is not a fair justice.
It's MY car and i don't want anybody having information of my driving style.
Originally Posted by Midnight F-117A
It's an black box for sure, disconnecting it will disable the airbags, like an interlock.
The best way to do this is to have the tools in the car. When your in an accident (serious one), remove the 2 screws holding the center console on, disconnect and remove the blackbox, carry it with you and hide it good (in case the car is not totalled) which you may want to put it back when the car is repaired so the airbags would work in case of a another accident.
I don't like the black box for 2 reasons:
If the other car is a older car and does not have the black box, that is not a fair justice.
It's MY car and i don't want anybody having information of my driving style.
The best way to do this is to have the tools in the car. When your in an accident (serious one), remove the 2 screws holding the center console on, disconnect and remove the blackbox, carry it with you and hide it good (in case the car is not totalled) which you may want to put it back when the car is repaired so the airbags would work in case of a another accident.
I don't like the black box for 2 reasons:
If the other car is a older car and does not have the black box, that is not a fair justice.
It's MY car and i don't want anybody having information of my driving style.
"Hey, can someone turn this screwdriver, my arm is missing..."
I totally agree with you though. I don't like anyone getting info from my car that can be used against me in court.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
On the other hand, the information could also work in your favor. The best example is the guy who ran into and killed two teenage girls coming out of their driveway. He claimed he was going 45 in a 30 mph zone so the police were only going to charge him with speeding and careless driving. However, the skid marks and other evidence made investigators suspicious so the "black box" was checked. It showed he was going 106 mph (in a residential 30 mph zone) at the time of impact. The charge was promptly changed to vehicular homicide, he was convicted and is now in jail. If it had been your daughter or sister killed, wouldn't you be glad that justice was done?