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ENGINE COMPUTERS AT CENTURY'S END

Engine computers — electronic control modules, or ECMs — began the trucking high-tech revolution in the 1980s. But will diesels stop running on New Year’s Day two years from now, as some fear, because of non-forward-looking software design?
Not likely.
Here is how the four major U.S. manufacturers replied to inquiries about their on-board computers and the year 2000:
• • • •
Caterpillar Inc.
www.cat.com
According to Brian Rolli, Marketing Development Consultant, Caterpillar engine electronics go out to the year 2036 and a new generation of controllers due soon will work indefinitely. “There is no problem on our end for the year 2000,” said Rolli.
• • • •
Cummins Engine Co.
www.cummins.com
There are no year-2000 problems with Cummins ECMs, said Rankin Carter, director of year-2000 compliance with Cummins, who added that the company is conducting an internal audit of other year-2000 issues. “When we have completed the evaluation, we will distribute and make known the results. One of the ways will be on our web page,” said Rankin. The review, he said, should be completed early in 1998.
• • • •
Detroit Diesel Corp.
www.detroitdiesel.com
“We have one small issue we’re going to take care of next year,” said Tom Diefenbaker, director of electronic product business development. “It concerns data from the engine, but the actual impact is on analysis software in the office.” The engine ECM itself has no problems, he said. “Anything we’ve done where the date is important is year-2000-sensitive. It’s been handled in the design,” Diefenbaker said.
• • • •
Mack Truck Inc.
www.macktrucks.com
According to Wayne Wissinger, manager of vehicle integration, Mack’s ECM base clocks are not year-2000-sensitive. Rather, each has a base date built in that will go out for 55 years. “There is no (year-2000) problem with that,” he said.

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