Magnet (Magnefine) near PCM?

[Rhymingmechanic]

Could a magnet right nearby cause any problems with a vehicle's computer?

I flushed a quart through my power steering system this morning and was going to install a Magnefine filter. The magnet was strong enough to attract the nut driver I was using to tighten clamps.

I didn't install the filter since it would be right next to if not touching the PCM--which is under the hood between the battery and the p/s pump on new body style Chevy pickups.

By the way: I got the filter from NAPA for about $21. Part # ATP 1-8514. No hose or clamps included, but the label says Magnefine.

 

[buddy-lee]

It may; some of your modern cars' electronics are very voltage sensitive however minor, and magnetism can wreak electronic gremlins if strong enough and in the right area- I know the Magnefine filter, which is a superb product, by the way, has a temporary but ill effect when I placed a spare on top of my CRT computer monitor display; it may well have negative effects on unshielded electronic equipment. Perhaps you could just forgo the magnefine there and change PS fluid a bit more often then the average owner would. If you have an auto transmission, the Magenfine , which comes in 3 line sizes (1/2", 3/8, and 5/16) could be used in your auto transmission as an OEM rebuilders - recommended part, to supplement cleaner ATF fluid.

 

[brianl703]

Car electronics are designed to handle all manner of electrical gremlins.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Thanks, buddy-lee. It sounds like it might be wise to pass on the p/s filter, unless I can find a better place for it at the next fluid change.

My last project was putting a filter in the trans line. The stock line has a rubber section just long enough for the filter to fit into. That gets me either thinking or paranoid, though--I wonder if the magnet would affect an airbag sensor?

 

[Leo]

I would have thought it would only be an issue if the manget was allowed to 'move around' where the PCM is, because moving fields create current, not stationary ones...

 

[brianl703]

That too. It'd also have to move around quite fast in order to induce any significant current into the PCM.

 

[Bret Chase]

quote:

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Originally posted by buddy-lee:
, has a temporary but ill effect when I placed a spare on top of my CRT computer monitor display;

---

the ill effect on a CRT is due to the fact that a magnetic field is used to steer the electrons to the pixels. if you add another magnetic field (i.e. the magnet) to the steering fields, you will have distortion. unless you've got it really close to a flying magnet type sensor (causes same problem as with a CRT), or the magnet itself moves alot (induces a current) you really don't have anything to worry about.

 

[brianl703]

CRTs are really sensitive to ANY magnetic field. Simply get them near a fan or a transformer and you'll see the effects on the picture.

 

[PandaBear]

agree about car electronics are design to withstand lots of interference. Just the alternator and starter is enough to deal with.

A magnetic filter that is not moved around is ok, what you are going to worry the most is actually things like alternator, amplifier for audio, and if in a hybrid, the huge electric motor.

It is a sesame in comparison to a watermellon.

 

[Shaman]

IF you are really worried, tape it to the car wherever you want to put it, and then take it for a drive.

 

[JohnBrowning]

The magnetic field that filter has is of no concern. The case on the ECM/PCM should act as a Faraday(sp) Cage. THe unit should also be very well grounded and the main power should be heavily filtered and possably protected from spikes and reverse polarization! You vechile has been proably been tested against all maner of magnetic adn RFI fields in the lab adn also at Radio America antena farm in the USA.

IF you car used a floppy disc or an unshielded hard drive then magnetic energy would be an issue. Flashable chips are not sensitive to stray magnetic fields.

Now if ever you are hooking up high power audio or RF equipment then you are best to isolate all the power and rf lines away from the cars wireing as best as you can and some times addtional shielding can be of help.Good grounds or the lack their of usualy get most people in trouble! On the RF side anything less then 500Watts is usualy not an issue in modern systems!

 

[JohnBrowning]

FOr the record most vechiles electrical systems have so much noise in them that usualy a poor amature radiooperator is usualy trying to get his system set up to keep the vechiles noise out of his rig!!! We are talking about anti-static powder in the wheels, grounding the wheels and just about eveything els on the car. Putting together custom made filters and chokes to block specific harmonics being made by the chargeing or innition system etc......

I could always tell you if a Harley or a Ford was comeing down the road just by the noise I heard over my radio!!