Hi everybody. I just installed my S/C today and noticed my trucks performance has gone down. Two days ago with approx 1/8 of a tank remaining I filled up on Sunoco 92 in preperation for me S/C and have been driving around on it since. Today my S/C arrived and I installed it. I had a typical "no start" problem, except in my case it wasn't dirty contacts, it was the computers bracket pushing on the chip just enough.

The problem is my truck now hesitates for about a half second and makes a "cough" sound when going from idle to 1/2 to WOT. I can ease it into WOT, with little to no hesitation, but if I mash the pedal I get detonation.

I did a before and after test, and this hesitation wasn't occuring before. I decided to remove the S/C and disconnect the battery for 10 mins. Same problem with the stock program. So I put the S/C back on and put ~40 miles on the truck with no improvement. What's going on here? I disconnected the battery (over an hour) when I added the K&N a couple weeks ago and I got no hesitation then.

No check engine idiot lights or anything. Is this just Fords adaptive strategy working against me? Anybody experience a similar problem? Mike, I will be contacting from the office tomorrow as soon as time allows.
Thanks all!

 

Here's my sig if it helps...

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2000 F-150 XLT, Styleside, White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, New: Ford Bedliner

 

I'm confused, in your 3rd paragraph you said that you removed the chip and you had "Same proplem with the stock program" Are you saying that now that you've added the chip and taken the chip out, that your truck hesitates (with & without chip)?????

Also, the no start problem is not because of bad cleaning or failure to put the chip in correctly. No start comes about because on some trucks, "FORD" didn't put all the contacts on the computer board. This can "only" be fixed by having those contacts sauldered on.

To reset your computer, you do not have to wait that long to reconnect your battery. Just disconnect your battery, go turn on your head lights (this drains all excess power). Turn them back off and go connect your battery. 5mins, 10tops!!

I've also heard that even a little bit of reg mixed w/premium can cause adverse affects. Try to run that tank out quick and refill again w/premium.

Mike will have to help w/the other concerns you have

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2k F250 CC SWB 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate)

 

My no-start problem was caused by the computers mounting bracket putting pressure on the chip. My chip seated flush with the metal case and that was enough to cause it to intefere with the mounting bracket. Removing the plasic clip and replacing it (temporarily) with duct tape cured my no-start problem.

After installing the chip I got a "chuff" sound followed by a half second hesitation which I didn't have before installing the chip. I removed the chip, disconnected the battery to reset the computer and tried again without the chip and the problem was still there.

I'm willing to accept bad gas, but why was it still doing it without the chip? Thanks for your reply Tina!

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2000 F-150 XLT, Styleside, White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, New: Ford Bedliner

 

Make sure you reset your computer. Do not put the chip back in. Continue to run w/out chip and see if your problem goes away. If not, take it to Ford. Continue to buy premium but maybe at another gas station. If problem clears up, reinstall the chip and see what happens next.

 

Howdy Y2K,

Sounds like it may be the octane that you now have in the tank. If you look in the owners manual you will see that Ford doesn't recommend using Premium fuel in these vehicles. The strategys are designed to run on regular gas. When you mixed the Premium fuel with the remaining regular fuel in your tank you ended up with a lower octane than 93 and thats probably causing the hesitation with the chip. As the chip is optimized for premium fuel. When you removed the chip the premium fuel now in the tank is causing a driveability issue with Fords strategy. You need a complete tank of premium fuel with the chip and you should be alright.

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2000 F-150 Lariat, Flareside, Black, SC, FOxFO, 5.4L, 4R70W TranZ, 3.55 Limited Slip Rear Axle, Garmin Street Pilot Color GPS, Bed Rug, ExTang Saber Tonno, CatchALL Floor Mat's, VentShade Visors, Limo BLaCK Tint'd Windows, PIAA Platinum Super White Headlight Bulbs with XTra Technology, FLoWMaSTer 40 Series MuFF, Mobil 1 5W-30 and Motorcraft 820-S Filter, SuperFReaKiN - FLiPCHiP Cal'd for Regular and Premium FueL,

Soon..............

AiRaID FIPK, Expedition Front and Rear Sway Bars, F-1 HooD, P305/75/R17 BFG KO's, 3" Body LiFT

www.tnugent.com/

 

Yeah, after speaking with Mike T., we've come to a preliminary conclusion that fuel quality is the issue. I'm gonna try to use up this tank as soon as possible and then try a different brand, complete with a battery disconnect and relearn cycle. Then I hope everything clears up, if not I'll pull the chip and bring it into the dealer.

Mike suggested I try Sunoco Ultra94 or Mobile Super (93), so that is what I will do in a few days. I do like the improved shifting though, although the 3-4 upshift on highway acceleration is still a bit too delayed for my likeing. Thanks all!

 

To all:

For everyone reading this thread, and those offering suggestions (thank you all very much, by the way!)....

Y2KOffroad & I have had a few discussions over the phone about this. First last evening, when he was getting the no-start, and he has cured this by following the instructions we include in our 3-page tips sheet that goes out with every Superchip we ship. (Which, by the way, we point out should be read thoroughly FIRST, before hitting the panic button if anyone has any type of problem, so everyone please read all your documentation *before* installing your Superchip, that's why we wrote it!) Specifically, there are some mounting brackets that will have a "lip" on them that has to be moved to that it does not slowly push the Superchip off the back of the computer, and it's pretty obvious when this interference happens. The other point is that you always have to put the black pressure clip back on lower with the Superchip isntalled, of course, as from the factory it's right where the Superchip goes.

Based on our discussions, at this point we suspect that it's a fuel quality issue. We've spoke with Superchips directly about his code, and it does not have this tendency, no other complaints like this to date. We have also seen this type of thing happen with Sunoco 92 when they also make the Ultra 94 available, as that blend of 92 just isn't up to snuff in some areas of the country. The "Ultra 94" is probably going to be OK, but the Superchip only requires 92 octane at sea level to make it's rated power gains. So after our discussion, he is going to try Mobil premium, and do another battery disconnect and then drive it for some miles, and see what happens. If this is a fuel quality issue, we should see it clear up in one tank or so.

As Lone Wolf mentioned specifically, the programming has to have tue fuel type required, and deviation from that can (not always, but *can*) cause driveability problems of the nature described here. We'll know for better in 1-2 weeks, as he tries another fuel brand.

Thanks to everyone who has helped out with their responses!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System

 

Well, I must say that I'm not having any luck with my chip as of yet. I've tried 3 different gasoline brands with mostly similar results. My first was Sunoco Super 93, then Mobil premium, and finally Sunoco Ultra94. The Mobil gave me the best relief from my problem, but it was still there. And soon after each fill-up I did a computer reset per Mike T.

Here's a re-hash of my synopsis:
The problem is my truck now hesitates and makes a "cough" sound when going from idle to WOT mashing the pedal. The engine also suffers from momentary detonation coming out of the hesitation.

I can verify that it didn't do that before the chip because right before I installed it I took a trip to the local abandoned shopping mall (doesn't every community have one of those these days?) and did a few seat of my pants tests to get a "before chip" feel. There was no hesitation or detonation.

What's worse even after removing the chip and resetting the computer I still have that problem. Something in the chip, or related to its installation has caused something to change and I don't know what it is. Mike, I'll be contacting you tomorrow, in the meantime anyone have any advice?

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2000 F-150 XLT, Reg Cab/Long Box, Styleside, Oxford White, Dark Graphite Int., 4x4, 4.6L, 3.55 L/S, Off-Road pkg (Skid Plates, Cab Steps, Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers, LT265/70R17SL), Class III Towing pkg with Heavy Duty Cooling pkg, 4 wheel disk ABS, Overhead Console, Factory In-Dash CD, Remote Keyless Entry, and Sliding Rear Window.

Added: K&N FIPK, Cabin Air Filtration, Ventvisors, Ford Bug Deflector, New: Ford Bedliner, SuperChip

 

I'll bet it has nothing to do with the chip. When you installed your Fipk you may have damaged or done something to the Mass airflow sensor when transferring it to the Fipk. I had a bad Mass Airflow Sensor and had similar problems. Dealer had to replace it. I put stock intake back on, removed the Superchip and took it to dealer. Codes showed bad Mass Airflow Sensor. If that is problem hope you can get it under warranty. Part is around $130 and labor brings cost between $300 and $400 dollars. Mine would hesitate when I hit accelerator, would idle a little rough and sometimes cough. Once Mass Airflow Sensor replaced I put Superchip back in and it ran perfectly.

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2000 F150 SuperCab, Short Bed, 4X4, ORP, 5.4L, Auto Trans, 3.55LS, Captains Chairs with power drivers seat, rear slider, class III towing package, remote entry with alarm and just about everything you can get on this truck. Added a Ford bug deflecter, floor mats, a Dynamax Race magnum muffler and 3" mandrel bent pipes, Superchip, K&N FIPK Gen II, Bilstein shocks and Redline Synthetic oil.

 

Well I would blame the FIPK ringing the MAF, however I put the FIPK on 3 weeks before the chip, and the problem didn't surface until the chip was put in.. I'm not a believer in coincidence, something must have happened.

However, I am tempted to purchase an OBD-II scanner to see if any codes are present.
Any recommendations?

 

Holy sh*t!! That's a lot of labor! I just noticed that!!! But if it can be fixed under warranty it's worth the effort going back to stock!

 

I think that if you cannot find the problem, you will have to put stock intake back on and remove chip and take it to dealer and have it checked under warranty. Do not tell dealer about Fipk or chip and just let them run a diagnosis on it. If truck still does it without both, then it is something else on truck and not Fipk or chip. After replacement of Mass Air Sensor on my truck, I replaced the Fipk and chip and it runs great.

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2000 F150 SuperCab, Short Bed, 4X4, ORP, 5.4L, Auto Trans, 3.55LS, Captains Chairs with power drivers seat, rear slider, class III towing package, remote entry with alarm and just about everything you can get on this truck. Added a Ford bug deflecter, floor mats, a Dynamax Race magnum muffler and 3" mandrel bent pipes, Superchip, K&N FIPK Gen II, Bilstein shocks and Redline Synthetic oil.

 

Sorry you're having so many problems w/your truck. I too don't think it's the chip because when you remove the chip and reset the computer back to stock, then the truck behaves as if you never put on a chip at all. The chip codes are completely erased when you reset the computer so when your truck acts up then it's diffinetely some other problem. Put your truck back to completely stock and take it in to Ford to be checked. Make sure your reset your computer after removing everything.

 

HI Y2KOffroad,

The fact that the vehicle is now doing it with or without the chip clearly shows that something else is going on.

The Superchip is not going to cause any "damage", or make the vehicle run improperly, unless it is not getting the proper fuel, just to give you an idea.

The fact that this has happened during the same time as you installed the chip is most likely purely coincidental, otherwise we'd be seeing a lot of people having the same trouble, which of course we do not as you can see from all the posts here.

I would suggest calling me, and let's go over all of this in detail, ok?

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 06-07-2000).]