Problems
Problems
I believe my chip is ruining my PCMs. I got a code for an internal control ROM error(P0605). I replaced the PCM and left the chip out for 2 weeks. It was fine during that time. I then install the chip and a day or two later the check engine light came on. Is then something I can do to get the chip reflashed or replaced and have the PCM reflashed or replaced?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
From: Sparks, Nevada
Hi King
Try contacting Mike Troyer thru his sig. Sometimes he can respond even on week ends....Meantime till you get update
I dont think the schip can ruin a pcm. If PO605 code set..its probably from the schip. being installed. Chip overrides OEM program...till you pull it out. Dont know if that code could also be for another problem?
You may already know...schip. code has to be same as PCM code.
I think chip either works or dosent...all or nothing.
Just simply reply till you get full tech. update.
Good luck...OT
Try contacting Mike Troyer thru his sig. Sometimes he can respond even on week ends....Meantime till you get update
I dont think the schip can ruin a pcm. If PO605 code set..its probably from the schip. being installed. Chip overrides OEM program...till you pull it out. Dont know if that code could also be for another problem?
You may already know...schip. code has to be same as PCM code.
I think chip either works or dosent...all or nothing.
Just simply reply till you get full tech. update.
Good luck...OT
Had it installed over a year before the light came on. I am going to have the codes pulled from this one to see what it is. If it is the same code then I will probably just get another pcm and forget about the chip. I have also noticed it is pinging with the chip and 92 octane lately. It was even doing it with the old pcm.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
King James,
Your chip isn't ruining your PCM's, not by a *long* shot, so you don't have to worry about that.
This is one of the things we go over very specifically in our supplemental Performance Products documentation that everyone who buys a Superchip directly from us here at Performance Products gets, this P0605 error code. It's SUPPOSED to be there *anytime* you have *anything* connected to the J3 connector on the back of the PCM, that's Ford's design.
A P0605 code is nothing to worry about when it's present with a chip installed and gone when the chip is removed, that is exactly what's *supposed* to happen.
This is exactly why we point out the P0605 error code specifically in our documentation, should somebody who doesn't know how the J3 circuit actually works scan for error codes & see it. Usually most technicians are smart enough to know better, but many times some of us mere mortals are not (of course, as it's very specific knowledge), so that's why we mention it in our PPI documentation, to avoid just such incorrect assumptions from being made and the resulting panic & incorrect blaming of the performance chip is avoided..
It's what we refer to as a "false" error code in the case where a performance chip is installed, as it's *supposed* to set that code, and all that means is that the PCM's internal EEPROM chip isn't functioning, just exactly as is *supposed* to happen anytime you install any performance chip on any Ford EEC-IV or EEC-V PCM!
This has to happen for any performance chip to work, and all that is going on here is that when you attach the performance chip (any performance chip, not just a Superchip), the Ford PCM turns off it's internal EEPROM chip & seeks it's instructions externally via the J3 connector from the performance chip. Just exactly as that circuit was designed to operate by Ford, they designed that into the EEC-IV PCM in the early 80's back when that PCM was originally designed, because the internal chip back then wasn't flashable (eprom versus eeprom), but more importantly nor has it every been replaceable, it's always been a surface mount, unlike other automaker's PCM's of the time which used a simply socketed eprom chip that was easily replaceable. So Ford needed a way to load different software versions, thus they designed the J3 circuit for that purpose, and performance chips simply take advantage of that existing design, that's all!
Give whoever you bought your Superchip from a call for Tech Support if you like, & they should be happy to explain all of this to you. If that was us, then you already have all of this info right there in your PPI documentation.
Bottom line? Forget about the P0605 code and treat it as if it does not exist, as it's always supposed to be there anytime any chip is attached to the J3 connector, and disappears as soon as you remove the chip, and will *not* cause any check engine light. In other words, engaging the J3 external override data path circuit basically works like an on/off switch for the PCM's internal EEPROM chip, and simply determines where the PCM gets it's instructions from, either it's own internal EEPROM or externally via the J3 connector, from the EEPROM inside the performance chip.
So relax & have fun, you're OK.
If you're having detonation problems crop up after using the chip for awhile as it appears from your description, then your fuel quality has dropped and you need to change brands and use only the best quality premium gasoline available (no offbrands or no-names, and no Exxon, either). It's also possible that you could also have any of dozens of different vehicles problems that would also cause detonation (O2 sensor, EGR, PCV, & plenty more areas & problems can & do cause detonation!), but it's not your PCM's P0605 code having anything to do with that.
Good luck!
Your chip isn't ruining your PCM's, not by a *long* shot, so you don't have to worry about that.
This is one of the things we go over very specifically in our supplemental Performance Products documentation that everyone who buys a Superchip directly from us here at Performance Products gets, this P0605 error code. It's SUPPOSED to be there *anytime* you have *anything* connected to the J3 connector on the back of the PCM, that's Ford's design.
A P0605 code is nothing to worry about when it's present with a chip installed and gone when the chip is removed, that is exactly what's *supposed* to happen.
This is exactly why we point out the P0605 error code specifically in our documentation, should somebody who doesn't know how the J3 circuit actually works scan for error codes & see it. Usually most technicians are smart enough to know better, but many times some of us mere mortals are not (of course, as it's very specific knowledge), so that's why we mention it in our PPI documentation, to avoid just such incorrect assumptions from being made and the resulting panic & incorrect blaming of the performance chip is avoided.
. It's what we refer to as a "false" error code in the case where a performance chip is installed, as it's *supposed* to set that code, and all that means is that the PCM's internal EEPROM chip isn't functioning, just exactly as is *supposed* to happen anytime you install any performance chip on any Ford EEC-IV or EEC-V PCM!
This has to happen for any performance chip to work, and all that is going on here is that when you attach the performance chip (any performance chip, not just a Superchip), the Ford PCM turns off it's internal EEPROM chip & seeks it's instructions externally via the J3 connector from the performance chip. Just exactly as that circuit was designed to operate by Ford, they designed that into the EEC-IV PCM in the early 80's back when that PCM was originally designed, because the internal chip back then wasn't flashable (eprom versus eeprom), but more importantly nor has it every been replaceable, it's always been a surface mount, unlike other automaker's PCM's of the time which used a simply socketed eprom chip that was easily replaceable. So Ford needed a way to load different software versions, thus they designed the J3 circuit for that purpose, and performance chips simply take advantage of that existing design, that's all!
Give whoever you bought your Superchip from a call for Tech Support if you like, & they should be happy to explain all of this to you. If that was us, then you already have all of this info right there in your PPI documentation.
Bottom line? Forget about the P0605 code and treat it as if it does not exist, as it's always supposed to be there anytime any chip is attached to the J3 connector, and disappears as soon as you remove the chip, and will *not* cause any check engine light. In other words, engaging the J3 external override data path circuit basically works like an on/off switch for the PCM's internal EEPROM chip, and simply determines where the PCM gets it's instructions from, either it's own internal EEPROM or externally via the J3 connector, from the EEPROM inside the performance chip.
So relax & have fun, you're OK.
If you're having detonation problems crop up after using the chip for awhile as it appears from your description, then your fuel quality has dropped and you need to change brands and use only the best quality premium gasoline available (no offbrands or no-names, and no Exxon, either). It's also possible that you could also have any of dozens of different vehicles problems that would also cause detonation (O2 sensor, EGR, PCV, & plenty more areas & problems can & do cause detonation!), but it's not your PCM's P0605 code having anything to do with that.
Good luck!
Last edited by Superchips_Distributor; Jan 12, 2003 at 05:31 PM.
Thing is that the code is coming without the chip also. When I remove it I disc. the battery and turn the lights on for 10+ minutes. I understand it coming on with the chip but not without it. I also don't understand why it would go for a year+ without coming on then just start coming on all of a sudden.
