Hey Mike... got a question. I just got back from Italy (3 years) to find out that my dad removed the chip. He said that out of the blue the truck would stall while running down the road. When he took it in, the ford dealer said that the chip was deleting code and causing problems. I had no problems with it before I left (for about a year), so I'm thinking that he used the wrong gas or something.
My question is, will the chip actually cause any actual damage to the computer? I want to burn the tank of gas that's in the truck, then try to install the chip again to see for myself, but he says that I will fry my computer (don't think so). By the way, he is a parts manager at a ford dealer in Deland, FL.
One think that he changed while I was gone was he intalled an Air Aid kit in my truck, but that shouldn't have an effect I wouldn't think. Maybe I can take my truck/chip in to get it looked at.
Thanks... and this is a great service that you provide!
Leon
Sanford, FL
1999 5.4 F-150 XLT

 

Hi Leon,

Welcome back!

Most Ford dealership service, parts, etc. staff actually know very little about how that J3 connector's circuit where a performance chip attaches works, and what the problem actually is. They tend to blame the non-Ford part in these kinds of cases, and they are sure they're right simply because without the non-Ford part, there is no problem! But in reality, with the Superchip it's usually not the chip itself at all - instead, improper initial installation is usually causing the actual problem, even *years* later. We've seen this scenario many times, and it's very easy to solve.

You can use the search feature here to retrieve any of the literally thousands of previous posts where we've been over all of this in detail - the icon is in the upper right corner.

I have no idea what is going on in your case, we'd have to have the vehicle here for that - but when a vehicle with a performance chip exhibits a no-start or stalls, usually the first thing to check is the installation of the chip. If the stalling was actually related to the use of the Superchip, over 98% of the time that is going to be a simple connection-related issue - meaning the Superchip is not properly communicating with every contact on the connector. That is generally due to something not being done thoroughly during initial installation, which can affect operations even years later, after a long time of symptom-free driving.

Usually a problem of stalling or a no-start with a Superchip installed is either the connector was not fully cleaned of literally 100% of conformal coating anywhere on the surface of the J3 connector that is covered by the slot on the Superchip when it's pushed onto that connector..... OR, the Superchip was not properly taped in place on the back of the PCM, so that it can't slowly back off over time due to normal driving. Railroad tracks, speed bumps, the occasional curb, etc. - just the normal vibration of vehicle operations can sometimes cause the Superchip to slowly back of the connector if it's not taped in place on the back of the PCM.

If you want to give it a try, run the 87 down until the low fuel light first comes on, then fill it up with premium gas. Then completely re-do the entire Superchip installation from scratch - don't just put it on, redo everything from *scratch*. Remember, anytime you are removing or replacing a chip, make sure your keys are NOT in the ignition, and then disconnect the battery as your first step. Remove the PCM from the vehicle, take both covers off (top *and* bottom) and completely reclean that J3 connector correctly, making sure that *NO* conformal coating is anywhere on the connector - not just the contacts, but in between, etc. - every bit of surface area of the connector that is covered by the slot on the Superchip when it's pushed on, must be 100% free of all conformal coating. If not, sooner or later you *will* have a problem. And yes, in a worst case scenario, that can actually cause damage to the Superchip and/or the vehicle's PCM - that is possible in a worst-case scenario, though that is an extremely rare event. That does not happen when the Superchip is properly installed.

Here's the main point: Due to the clear color of the conformal coating, it requires more effort to be able to see it when you are cleaning the connector - especially when you have a lot, or even most - but not *all* - of the coating removed. Use a magnifying glass or something to enlarge your view of the connector's surface area, and put it under a direct bright light *indoors* (not sunlight!) as well, so you can really see it. Also, most are doing their first-ever installation of a Superchip in a FoMoCo vehicle (which is different from others automakers in this regard), so they don't know all the ins & outs, symptoms & causes, etc.

Overall, the main problem is with people not getting all of that clear-colored conformal coating off, but thinking that they have - and then not taping the Superchip in place on the back of the PCM. Those are the two primary causes that account for over 98% of all no-start or stalling issues in FoMoCo vehicles with a performance chip installed.

So get out your original documentation for that Superchip (and just the 1-page manufacturer's instructions are NOT enough, you need better docs to describe how to clean that connector properly), and completely re-do that installation from scratch. If you only have the manufacturer's 1-page instructions, look in the how-to articles here, you will find a link to a decent how-to on the Superchip installation that will give you better details than just the 1 page original doc. If that blue Superchip was originally purchased new directly from us, then we would also have sent out our additional supplemental documentation in addition to the manufacturer's docs, so the owner has a better idea of the entire process.

Going back and redoing the installation will most likely take care of that problem so you can get back to enjoying your Superchip.

Glad to hear you're back home, & good luck with your Superchip!