Slightly OT: Does OBD-II record the vehicle mileage in the computer?

A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
cover OBD-II equipped Toyotas.

The used 98 Chevy C3500 work truck I bought from my brother was
purchased off a used car lot - meaning that the odometer was more than
likely 'clocked' (rolled back) 10K to 30K miles (or more...) to
increase the resale value. I know it, I just can't prove it. ;-)

There's CarFax, but I'd hate to get one of their infamous "we have
eight pieces of data on this car" teases, and spend $20 to find out
that the data is my brother's and my name, and the mileage that we
reported when registering - nothing new...

Does the speedometer pulse count (IE the mileage) get stored in a
register of the vehicle computer? That would be an easy way to tell
if they had rolled it back, and by roughly how much.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:236sb1ta4er8b2mksjg0j6g4ugsrhi2tvb@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> cover OBD-II equipped Toyotas.
>
> The used 98 Chevy C3500 work truck I bought from my brother was
> purchased off a used car lot - meaning that the odometer was more than
> likely 'clocked' (rolled back) 10K to 30K miles (or more...) to
> increase the resale value. I know it, I just can't prove it. ;-)
>
> There's CarFax, but I'd hate to get one of their infamous "we have
> eight pieces of data on this car" teases, and spend $20 to find out
> that the data is my brother's and my name, and the mileage that we
> reported when registering - nothing new...
>
> Does the speedometer pulse count (IE the mileage) get stored in a
> register of the vehicle computer? That would be an easy way to tell
> if they had rolled it back, and by roughly how much.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--
>[/color]
I have never seen any information OBD II that lists vehicle mileage as
stored information.

If the vehicle has an electronic odometer, it is not so easy to roll it
back. To do so, someone would have to purchase the assembly and install it,
either from the dealer or from a junk yard. If the dealer replaces the
odometer, he is supposed to order it with the correct mileage already
recorded, that is, turned ahead to the correct mileage.

I suppose the odometer could have been disconnected for a while, but then
they would have had a check engine light illuminated the whole time and they
probably would not have had a functioning speedometer.

--
Ray O
correct the return address punctuation to reply

Bruce L. Bergman wrote:[color=blue]
> A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> cover OBD-II[/color]

nah dude, ODB died.

[url]http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493725/20041113/ol_dirty_bastard.jhtml?headlines=false[/url]

HTH.

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119767304.785116.276750@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
>
> Bruce L. Bergman wrote:[color=green]
> > A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> > cover OBD-II[/color]
>
> nah dude, ODB died.
>
>[/color]
[url]http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493725/20041113/ol_dirty_bastard.jhtml?headlines=false[/url][color=blue]
>
> HTH.[/color]

Hahah.

Josh wrote:[color=blue]
> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1119767304.785116.276750@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> >
> >
> > Bruce L. Bergman wrote:[color=darkred]
> > > A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> > > cover OBD-II[/color]
> >
> > nah dude, ODB died.
> >
> >[/color]
> [url]http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493725/20041113/ol_dirty_bastard.jhtml?headlines=false[/url][color=green]
> >
> > HTH.[/color]
>
> Hahah.[/color]

ODB's original name is Russell Tyrone Jones

1.) No, the mileage is not stored where you can find it with an OBD II code
reader. It _might_ be stored, but not within the reach of the OBD II.

2.) Why on earth would you buy a car or truck where you suspect the seller
is lying to you? If you bought the truck because the price was right, then
roll the dice and ignore the mileage. If you are concerned that the mileage
is altered, then you shouldn't have bought the truck.

3.) You might be able to inquire of your local DMV what the mileage was on
the paperwork when the vehicle was traded in. I don't know if they will tell
you anything.

4.) You can get CarFax for about 20 bucks. Spend the money.





"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:236sb1ta4er8b2mksjg0j6g4ugsrhi2tvb@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> cover OBD-II equipped Toyotas.
>
> The used 98 Chevy C3500 work truck I bought from my brother was
> purchased off a used car lot - meaning that the odometer was more than
> likely 'clocked' (rolled back) 10K to 30K miles (or more...) to
> increase the resale value. I know it, I just can't prove it. ;-)
>
> There's CarFax, but I'd hate to get one of their infamous "we have
> eight pieces of data on this car" teases, and spend $20 to find out
> that the data is my brother's and my name, and the mileage that we
> reported when registering - nothing new...
>
> Does the speedometer pulse count (IE the mileage) get stored in a
> register of the vehicle computer? That would be an easy way to tell
> if they had rolled it back, and by roughly how much.
>
> --<< Bruce >>--
>
> --
> Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
> Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
> 5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
> Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.[/color]

Jeff Strickland wrote:

[color=blue]
>
> "Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
> news:236sb1ta4er8b2mksjg0j6g4ugsrhi2tvb@4ax.com...[color=green]
> > A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> > cover OBD-II equipped Toyotas.
> >
> > The used 98 Chevy C3500 work truck I bought from my brother was
> > purchased off a used car lot - meaning that the odometer was more than
> > likely 'clocked' (rolled back) 10K to 30K miles (or more...) to
> > increase the resale value. I know it, I just can't prove it. ;-)
> >
> > There's CarFax, but I'd hate to get one of their infamous "we have
> > eight pieces of data on this car" teases, and spend $20 to find out
> > that the data is my brother's and my name, and the mileage that we
> > reported when registering - nothing new...
> >
> > Does the speedometer pulse count (IE the mileage) get stored in a[/color][/color]
[color=blue]
> 1.) No, the mileage is not stored where you can find it with an OBD II code
> reader. It _might_ be stored, but not within the reach of the OBD II.[/color]

Do you have service receipts for the vehicle?? If so, look for the
odometer in/odometer out numbers. If there's a discrepancy, it will
jump right out at you.

raa and peace out to ODB

"Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1119998609.006684.278660@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
>
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
>
>[color=green]
> >
> > "Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
> > news:236sb1ta4er8b2mksjg0j6g4ugsrhi2tvb@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
> > > A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> > > cover OBD-II equipped Toyotas.
> > >
> > > The used 98 Chevy C3500 work truck I bought from my brother was
> > > purchased off a used car lot - meaning that the odometer was more than
> > > likely 'clocked' (rolled back) 10K to 30K miles (or more...) to
> > > increase the resale value. I know it, I just can't prove it. ;-)
> > >
> > > There's CarFax, but I'd hate to get one of their infamous "we have
> > > eight pieces of data on this car" teases, and spend $20 to find out
> > > that the data is my brother's and my name, and the mileage that we
> > > reported when registering - nothing new...
> > >
> > > Does the speedometer pulse count (IE the mileage) get stored in a[/color][/color]
>[color=green]
> > 1.) No, the mileage is not stored where you can find it with an OBD II[/color][/color]
code[color=blue][color=green]
> > reader. It _might_ be stored, but not within the reach of the OBD II.[/color]
>
> Do you have service receipts for the vehicle?? If so, look for the
> odometer in/odometer out numbers. If there's a discrepancy, it will
> jump right out at you.
>
> raa and peace out to ODB
>[/color]


1.) You answered to the wrong person. I replied to a question that asked if
the mileage was stored, you replied to me as though I would have information
on a car that I don't even own.

2.) The OP just bought a used car -- truck really -- and hasn't got the
paperwork from the previous service history. Surely, if he had this
paperwork, he wouldn't be asking if the mileage could be extrracted from the
computer's depths.

3.) You're still learning, aren't you?

On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 15:38:37 -0700, "Jeff Strickland"
<spamcatcher@yahoo.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>1.) No, the mileage is not stored where you can find it with an OBD II code
>reader. It _might_ be stored, but not within the reach of the OBD II.
>
>2.) Why on earth would you buy a car or truck where you suspect the seller
>is lying to you? If you bought the truck because the price was right, then
>roll the dice and ignore the mileage. If you are concerned that the mileage
>is altered, then you shouldn't have bought the truck.[/color]

I didn't buy the truck off a used car lot - My nephew did almost two
years ago, and I had no idea he was going to do it till long after it
was a done deal.

I ended up with it after he abandoned his business and left my
brother stuck with the truck, after "daddy" sunk the money on putting
a new engine into it. The old one blew a rod (through the side of the
block, naturally...) at 120,000 (alleged) miles.

And the front end is WAY too loose for 132,000 (alleged) miles,
unless it was badly abused - it needs a full set of bushings, and
maybe ball joints. Gets the shakes like a shopping cart at speed.
[color=blue]
>3.) You might be able to inquire of your local DMV what the mileage was on
>the paperwork when the vehicle was traded in. I don't know if they will tell
>you anything.[/color]

Well, the Auto Club tried tiptoeing through the DMV computers and
they didn't find anything.
[color=blue]
>4.) You can get CarFax for about 20 bucks. Spend the money.[/color]

Might have to. But looking inside the vehicle computer for a hidden
register count was worth a try - all that would take is a full OBD-II
scanner to extract the info.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

Jeff Strickland wrote:[color=blue]
> "Learning Richard" <learningrichard@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1119998609.006684.278660@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> >
> >
> > Jeff Strickland wrote:
> >
> >[color=darkred]
> > >
> > > "Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
> > > news:236sb1ta4er8b2mksjg0j6g4ugsrhi2tvb@4ax.com...
> > > > A bit OT only because it's a Chevrolet. But the info might also
> > > > cover OBD-II equipped Toyotas.
> > > >
> > > > The used 98 Chevy C3500 work truck I bought from my brother was
> > > > purchased off a used car lot - meaning that the odometer was more than
> > > > likely 'clocked' (rolled back) 10K to 30K miles (or more...) to
> > > > increase the resale value. I know it, I just can't prove it. ;-)
> > > >
> > > > There's CarFax, but I'd hate to get one of their infamous "we have
> > > > eight pieces of data on this car" teases, and spend $20 to find out
> > > > that the data is my brother's and my name, and the mileage that we
> > > > reported when registering - nothing new...
> > > >
> > > > Does the speedometer pulse count (IE the mileage) get stored in a[/color]
> >[color=darkred]
> > > 1.) No, the mileage is not stored where you can find it with an OBD II[/color][/color]
> code[color=green][color=darkred]
> > > reader. It _might_ be stored, but not within the reach of the OBD II.[/color]
> >
> > Do you have service receipts for the vehicle?? If so, look for the
> > odometer in/odometer out numbers. If there's a discrepancy, it will
> > jump right out at you.
> >
> > raa and peace out to ODB
> >[/color]
>
>
> 1.) You answered to the wrong person. I replied to a question that asked if
> the mileage was stored, you replied to me as though I would have information
> on a car that I don't even own.[/color]

Wearing tight panties today, Jeff?
[color=blue]
>
> 2.) The OP just bought a used car -- truck really -- and hasn't got the
> paperwork from the previous service history. Surely, if he had this
> paperwork, he wouldn't be asking if the mileage could be extrracted from the
> computer's depths.[/color]

Yeah? You think? Ya never know, Cochise.
[color=blue]
>
> 3.) You're still learning, aren't you?[/color]

indeed.

"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:7at3c19340kv6bc8cdrjdogf8k2oog8mfu@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 15:38:37 -0700, "Jeff Strickland"
> <spamcatcher@yahoo.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >1.) No, the mileage is not stored where you can find it with an OBD II[/color][/color]
code[color=blue][color=green]
> >reader. It _might_ be stored, but not within the reach of the OBD II.
> >
> >2.) Why on earth would you buy a car or truck where you suspect the[/color][/color]
seller[color=blue][color=green]
> >is lying to you? If you bought the truck because the price was right,[/color][/color]
then[color=blue][color=green]
> >roll the dice and ignore the mileage. If you are concerned that the[/color][/color]
mileage[color=blue][color=green]
> >is altered, then you shouldn't have bought the truck.[/color]
>
> I didn't buy the truck off a used car lot - My nephew did almost two
> years ago, and I had no idea he was going to do it till long after it
> was a done deal.
>[/color]

This changes my response a bit. You guys, you and/or your nephew, have had
the truck for 2 years, this is plenty of time to stop worrying about what
the odometer says. Personally, I'd be looking at what is says now and what
it said then and know that in the last nn thousnad miles certain things have
come up that need attention.



[color=blue]
> I ended up with it after he abandoned his business and left my
> brother stuck with the truck, after "daddy" sunk the money on putting
> a new engine into it. The old one blew a rod (through the side of the
> block, naturally...) at 120,000 (alleged) miles.
>[/color]

It is difficult to tell if your nephew bought a piece of shit, or created
one by not taking care of things properly. I hate to ding on kids that I
don't know, but by the way the story is going, I'd have to think the kid
bears a certain load of responsibility for the blown motor. Kids have been
known to not put oil in, for example.


[color=blue]
> And the front end is WAY too loose for 132,000 (alleged) miles,
> unless it was badly abused - it needs a full set of bushings, and
> maybe ball joints. Gets the shakes like a shopping cart at speed.
>[/color]

If the truck is a work truck and is or has been overloaded, then it would be
reasonable that a set of suspension bushings might be in order here. I don't
recall what the make and year is of the truck in question, but as a work
truck, it has very likely been overloaded with amazing regularity


[color=blue][color=green]
> >3.) You might be able to inquire of your local DMV what the mileage was[/color][/color]
on[color=blue][color=green]
> >the paperwork when the vehicle was traded in. I don't know if they will[/color][/color]
tell[color=blue][color=green]
> >you anything.[/color]
>
> Well, the Auto Club tried tiptoeing through the DMV computers and
> they didn't find anything.
>[/color]

I suspect the mileage is accurate. When I was a kid, it was easy to set the
clock back, but it isn't so easy anymore. The odometer is typically encased
in a sealed unit that has to be broken to get into. If the odometer was set
back, it would be pretty easy to see if you bothered to take the speedometer
head out.

If you really suspect foul play relative to the odometer, the DMV would be
the place to go, but you guys acquired the truck 2 years ago, I'm not sure
what you hope to gain by knowing you were had. I'd prefer to think I wasn't
had, I just wound up with an abused truck that somebody else bought.


[color=blue][color=green]
> >4.) You can get CarFax for about 20 bucks. Spend the money.[/color]
>
> Might have to. But looking inside the vehicle computer for a hidden
> register count was worth a try - all that would take is a full OBD-II
> scanner to extract the info.
>[/color]

Now that we are getting more details, I wouldn't spend the time or money on
a Carfax report. It won't know the mileage through the various owners
anyway. It will know if the truck has been in a wreck that resulted in an
insurance claim, but that's about all it will know. I mean, seriously, how
is Carfax going to know the mileage? Somebody has to key this stuff in
somewhere ...

LR is prone to bouts of heavy drinking, but I'm sure it's not his fault.

On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 09:47:03 -0700, "Jeff Strickland"
<spamcatcher@yahoo.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Now that we are getting more details, I wouldn't spend the time or money on
>a Carfax report. It won't know the mileage through the various owners
>anyway. It will know if the truck has been in a wreck that resulted in an
>insurance claim, but that's about all it will know. I mean, seriously, how
>is Carfax going to know the mileage? Somebody has to key this stuff in
>somewhere ...[/color]

It's not earth-shattering, but it'd be nice to know. 98 Chevrolet
C3500 4X2 short cab, Smallblock V8 and 4-speed auto, Hydroboost power
brakes, 8' utility bed & full rack.

Yes, they could have abused the hell out of it to trash the front
end, but that happens to some degree with all trucks. And if you are
familiar with the wonderful glass smooth <Yeah, Right, Sure...> Los
Angeles surface streets and freeways...

The California DMV /does/ have the smog technician key the indicated
mileage into their computers at every smog check, and at every title
transfer the seller is supposed to write the mileage on the back of
the old title certificate.

If the DMV computers catch a discrepancy like the numbers going down
abruptly, they're supposed to investigate it - they can catch the
seller in the act of clocking cars that way, and can prosecute.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

"Bruce L. Bergman" <blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote in message
news:cuo6c111cuo234busd007aeb01p5ocdp2d@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 09:47:03 -0700, "Jeff Strickland"
> <spamcatcher@yahoo.net> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >Now that we are getting more details, I wouldn't spend the time or money[/color][/color]
on[color=blue][color=green]
> >a Carfax report. It won't know the mileage through the various owners
> >anyway. It will know if the truck has been in a wreck that resulted in an
> >insurance claim, but that's about all it will know. I mean, seriously,[/color][/color]
how[color=blue][color=green]
> >is Carfax going to know the mileage? Somebody has to key this stuff in
> >somewhere ...[/color]
>
> It's not earth-shattering, but it'd be nice to know. 98 Chevrolet
> C3500 4X2 short cab, Smallblock V8 and 4-speed auto, Hydroboost power
> brakes, 8' utility bed & full rack.
>
> Yes, they could have abused the hell out of it to trash the front
> end, but that happens to some degree with all trucks. And if you are
> familiar with the wonderful glass smooth <Yeah, Right, Sure...> Los
> Angeles surface streets and freeways...
>
> The California DMV /does/ have the smog technician key the indicated
> mileage into their computers at every smog check, and at every title
> transfer the seller is supposed to write the mileage on the back of
> the old title certificate.
>
> If the DMV computers catch a discrepancy like the numbers going down
> abruptly, they're supposed to investigate it - they can catch the
> seller in the act of clocking cars that way, and can prosecute.
>[/color]

This is correct, which is why we talked about the possibility that the Auto
Club might be able to get to the data. If you can get to the data, and we
already know the Auto Club can't do it, then the DMV itself would be the
only source. I suspect the title transfer will be the data that is most
useful to you.

My humble opinion is, you're stressing out too much about this. The mileage
is in all likelihood, accurate. Given the abuse the truck has seen, I would
not be surprised if new suspsension bushings fixed the front end, and the
previous motor work could arise out of any number of issues that have
nothing to do with 20,000 more miles than are showing on the clock.

In any case, good luck with that truck.

On Thu, 30 Jun 2005 03:49:23 GMT, Bruce L. Bergman
<blPYTHONbergman@earthlink.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
> The California DMV /does/ have the smog technician key the indicated
>mileage into their computers at every smog check, and at every title
>transfer the seller is supposed to write the mileage on the back of
>the old title certificate.
>
> If the DMV computers catch a discrepancy like the numbers going down
>abruptly, they're supposed to investigate it - they can catch the
>seller in the act of clocking cars that way, and can prosecute.[/color]

Problem is, we don't smog until the vehicle is 5 years old.
I will probably never smog a vehicle again. My '03 Tundra already has
118k on it.


--- Rich
[url]http://richlockyer.tripod.com/[/url]