Has anyone else had a chip failure? I don't know if it is the chip or the contacts. I have a blue plug-in Superchip installed in a 2001 Supercrew. A few weeks ago, my wife got in the Ford and I heard the starter running but no start. I tried it a little and it wouldn't fire up. I disconnected the battery, removed the Superchip, and then reconnected the battery. It then started, so I left it out, since my wife usually drives it. I put it back in just before we left on an out-of-town trip, and it started fine. However, about 50 miles into the trip, the tach and speedometer went full scale and then to 0 at the same time the engine died. I coasted onto the shoulder and took the chip back out. My next step would be to remove the computer so I could inspect the card edge. But since my wife usually drives this truck, I am reluctant to use the chip unless I know it is dependable. If it dies with her and I am not in the truck, she won't be too happy with me. But I miss the extra power (we pull a travel trailer occasionally) and the improved transmission shifting.

???

 

That would probably be rare as there isn't much in there to go bad.

Maybe it lost its programming??

Any corrosion??

I would give the manufacturer a buzz and see if they can help you or at least test the chip for you.

 

I bought it from Performance Products, Inc., but I sent a message to the manufacturer (Superchips) describing the problem. They replied to say "call us on the phone." I'm guessing they will say to take the computer out, open it up, and clean the board edge with an eraser. Then the only way to find out if that was it is to use it for a while. But my wife drives the truck now and she has not idea how to take the chip out if it quit. If Superchips offers to test it, I'll send it in (unless they want to charge me a bunch of money). It's just strange for it to be fine for 3 1/2 years and now wants to act up.

 

Rare? Maybe. But I had one that went bad several years ago...Blue single program Superchip. Its a long story, but that chip going bad is what started me using Mike's services...Best thing that ever happened in my opinion....

 

Hi DothanF150,

You have a very simple connection-related problem, so you need to go back and do a complete proper re-installation from scratch - not send it in for "testing". I'd bet a ten-spot that I will find conformal coating flakes in the slot of that chip, because 100% of the conformal coating was not removed to begin with. YO have to do proper diagnosis on your end before insisting on any "testing."

In a situation like this, we will not authorize an RMA number, we would tell you to use a magnifying glass and a a strong bright light to reveal the conformal coating inside the slot on the chip, then use a clean dry toothbrush (one that has never been used) to clean out that coating (looks like tiny flakes of dandruff). then you need to pull the PCM and completely disassemble it, removing both top and bottom covers, and remove 100% of all conformal coating from any surface of the J3 connector that gets covered by the slot of the Superchip when the module is pushed into place - that is where your problem is.

If the chip was actually failed, your truck would NEVER start with it installed. You have a simple connection problem, that is why you see the gauges do a sweep to peak and return to zero, dashes on the odometer, etc - all of that tells you very clearly that you have a simple connection problem, and need to go back and re-do your work properly.

I suggest using the SEARCH feature here to look up & thorough read and of the hundreds of posts we have put up here over the years about exactly what to do to fix this kind of problem - and when you are through, make sure to tape that Superchip in place properly as well.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your reply, Mike. I talked with Superchips and they said what I expected to hear, which is basically what you said but less detail. They said if cleaning the contacts doesn't fix it, call them back about getting it tested. I am just surprised to have difficulty after using it with no difficulty for over three years. And when I originally installed it, I was very meticulous about exposing the board edge while also being careful not to damage the contacts. I will inspect the board edge and the chip very carefully because I really want to find something to say "that was it".

The tuners Superchips makes now do have some advantages over what was available in 2002, even though the cost is a bit higher. With a tuner, you don't have to worry about the contacts. You also don't have to take the chip out when you take it into the dealer. And, you can reprogram at your heart's desire. My blue chip just has one program.

Another thing that points toward a contact issue is that I had removed the chip to take the truck to the dealer and reinstalled it not too long before my trouble started. Back when I first installed the chip, I made a strap with velcro and attached it to the box to allow me to easily remove the chip and reinstall it. It goes over the chip in the long direction and under the plastic clamp that holds the computer box.

After I get the chip back in, I probably should swap trucks with my wife for a couple of days until I can prove it's trustworthiness. I can get the chip out in a few minutes but she would be stranded (and I would be unpopular).

 

I just removed the computer, thoroughly cleaned and inspected the board edge, and thoroughly cleaned and inspected the contacts on the chip, and reinstalled everything. I didn't find anything on the contacts, they were clean. It only ran for a few minutes. I went and filled up with premium at a gas station about 2 miles from the house and it didn't make it back home. I did as Superchips instructed and they told me if that didn't cure the problem, call them back and they would give me an RA number to send it back for testing. Since I didn't find anything wrong, I really didn't think the trouble was over. Besides, if I didn't do a good job on the original installation, why would it work fine for 3 1/2 years?