Are there any problems purchasing used chips?
Do they have any sort of life span?
How do you find your code?
Any help would be appreciated.

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'97 XLT SC, Teal with lower Black. 4.6, Moderatly customized. One of a kind. Born 5/96




[This message has been edited by 97customXLT (edited 02-16-2000).]

 

97customXLT, If you don't find a used chip with the same code as you have it has to be "re-flashed" and that cost is about $110.00. I don't know of any life span. I would imagine it would be like most other hardware/electonics - pretty darn long. Your code is located on your computer and on the passenger side door jam - before ordering one I would check the one on the computer.

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99 F150 XLT Silver 2WD S/C 4.2 5-speed, Pioneer DEH P4000, Superchip, Flowmaster muffler // Rear door switch guards - check them out at http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/show/5031

 

Dear 97customXLT,

The one thing you need to make sure of, just as Darin mentioned, is that the used Superhcip is the *exact* same computer code as your vehicle is. If it's not, by the time you pay for the reflashing fee, you could have gotten a new Superchip for less. And, Superchips themselves will not reflash it for you, only a Modem Dealer can do that for you.

As far as the "lifespan" of a Superchip, there is no shortening of the life of it just because it's used. Each Superchip is guaranteed for the Lifetime of the *original* owner. Superchips has on occasion honored the guarantee to a non-original owner, but you can't count on them doing that. So if you by it used, which we do encourage if it's the same code since it's a good bargain, just make sure that whoever you purchase it from will assist you with any guarantee issues with Superchips if need be.

Superchips uses industrial/automotive-grade wide temperature range EEPROM chips, so they are very reliable, and have to be to be able to operate in the extreme temperature ranges that motor vehicles are exposed to. The point being, they do use top-shelf raw materials, so the Superchip should last for years and years.

To find your computer code, open your passenger side door, and look in the front part of the doorframe, in between the door hinges, and there should be a sticker with 3 letters and a number on it, like YSL2, IMP4, HAL4, TBL2. etc., those are just some of the more common codes for the 97 F-150, and there are others as well. If for some reason your code sticker is not there, then you can go to the computer. The computer is mounted inside the cabin on the passenger side, just above the passenger's kick panel. It is held to it's mounting bracket by a black pressure clip, or slide-off clip. Just pull that clip off, and look on teh back of the computer where the clip was covering, and you'll see another code sticker right there. (The computer won't fall out when you remove the black clip, as it's still attached to it's wiring harness.)

Feel free to give us a call if you need any assistance, & good luck!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

I got my Superchip used - works like a charm. If you don't find a chip for your specific computer code in the F150online classifieds - you really ought to contact Mike Troyer.

Tom in Tacoma

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1998 F150 XLT S/C 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS, 4X2, Moonlight Blue, all the factory bells & whistles except for leather seats. Lund Deflector, Lund Premier Tonneau, K&N, Body-color painted Throttle Cover, blue wire-looms, Pentaliner S/R, Window tint, factory side-steps, Infiniti component speakers up front, Polk Audio speakers in back, Superchip on an FOU1 code(same as NASCAR edition). Tom in Tacoma (Washington not Toyota)
Go check out http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics for the second best website for F150's

 

My used one works great. Mike T. actually found it for me. Lucky me!

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler,Class III Reece load distributing hitch system, full wiring including trailer battery charging system, Escort Sensor II Brake controller, Superchip

 

Mike,
These other guys talk of you getting used chips for them. Is this something you deal with also? I have a '97 4.6 w/ code IMP4.
e-mail me at TheWerst@aol.com

Thanks, Brandon

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'97 XLT SC, Teal with lower Black. 4.6, Moderatly customized. One of a kind. Born 5/96

 

I think it's just luck if he happens to get one returned or traded in and such and you just happen to have the right code. You should call him and let him know what you are looking for. With an older truck and a common code like you and I have your chances are better that you will get lucky. Mine was IMP4 also.

 

Dear 97customXLT,

Yes, there have been a few instances where we got a used Superchip, and made it available, but it's not very often. Most people are better off financially by selling their used Superchips to someone else with the same computer code, simply because the price at which we have to sell used Superchips is about the same as their owners can sell them to other vehicle owners for, so we can't allow that much in terms of trade-in value, and I hate to see anyone taking a big loss. At the moment we do not have any used Superchips that would be of any use to your particular vehicle, unfortunately.

So if you can find a used Superchip with your same computer code, it's usually a good bargain and we do encourage that! But to make sense financially, it's got to be the exact same computer code, so you don't have to pay somebody to reflash it for you.

If you like, you can give us a call and I can go over all the details & aspects with you.

Good luck with your truck!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Dear cphilip,

That's right, we did get lucky for you, didn't we? It doesn't happen often, I'm glad you were able to take advantage of that. Like you said, it was just a matter of luck.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

Other than once in High School it's the only time!

 

Hey cphilip,

Back in my day (when the Dead Sea was just sick), it was rare to get lucky in high school! Nowadays it seems like almost everyone "gets lucky" in HS.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

 

They get other things in High School now too! Those were the days. I really feel sorry for the kids today with all they have to worry about. All we used to worry about was how to get laid, beer and a joint.

 

Me thinks Mike is being a wee bit modest about his high school daze. Heck I don't think it - I know it first hand. Shame shame Mike. You shouldn't fib like that.

You should always keep in mind that I'm lurking in the background ol' friend.

Tom in Tacoma

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1998 F150 XLT S/C 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS, 4X2, Moonlight Blue, all the factory bells & whistles except for leather seats. Lund Deflector, Lund Premier Tonneau, K&N, Body-color painted Throttle Cover, blue wire-looms, Pentaliner S/R, Window tint, factory side-steps, Infiniti component speakers up front, Polk Audio speakers in back, Superchip on an FOU1 code(same as NASCAR edition). Tom in Tacoma (Washington not Toyota)
Go check out http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics for the second best website for F150's

 

Hi Tom!

Yes, you rascal, I know you're always lurking, and I know that you *know* about my high school days. Musicians tend to get lucky a bit sooner, perhaps?

My point was simply that back then, you didn't have the majority of HS students having sex like you do now, that's all. Back then it was a big deal, or at least that was my impression, whereas now not nearly so, so it was just a casual observation.

And don't you go dropping names from my past here, you sneaky devil, or I'll start telling on *you*!

It was great "meeting" your daughter last nite in chat. I can't wait until the Norfolk Rally, we definitely have some catching up to do!

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Online Superchip ordering system:https://www.f150online.com/scpp/index.html

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 02-18-2000).]