Chip Removeal Question
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Whitehorse, Yukon
Chip Removeal Question
Hi fellas,
I have the Diablosport chip and had a quick question about remval.
(I'm guessing everything involving this would be the same with both Superchip and the Diablo.
When I first had it installed, the dealers instructions were as follows:
He said: "Anytime you want to remove it, just pull it out of the slot"
To put it back in, just insert it back in the slot.
The only rule was to make sure the key was removed from the ignition.
About a month ago, I pulled the chip out because I was doing an experiment to see what effect it had on my gas mileage.
I reset the computer also when I took it out.
After running 4 tanks of fuel without the chip, I decided to install it again last night.
I removed the key from the ignition, and secured the chip back into where it belongs. Then I reset the computer.
Shortly after, I was looking through the instructions that came with the chip, and it says:
"Never install or remove the chip while the ECU is connected to the wiring harness"
Can I, or did I possibly damage something by not following these instructions?
The truck started up fine after the re-install and reset.
No trouble lights and everything works perfectly.
Should I disconnect the ECU from the wiring harness in the future when I do this again? Or is this just a safe guard.
Thanks for any help
Habibi
I have the Diablosport chip and had a quick question about remval.
(I'm guessing everything involving this would be the same with both Superchip and the Diablo.
When I first had it installed, the dealers instructions were as follows:
He said: "Anytime you want to remove it, just pull it out of the slot"
To put it back in, just insert it back in the slot.
The only rule was to make sure the key was removed from the ignition.
About a month ago, I pulled the chip out because I was doing an experiment to see what effect it had on my gas mileage.
I reset the computer also when I took it out.
After running 4 tanks of fuel without the chip, I decided to install it again last night.
I removed the key from the ignition, and secured the chip back into where it belongs. Then I reset the computer.
Shortly after, I was looking through the instructions that came with the chip, and it says:
"Never install or remove the chip while the ECU is connected to the wiring harness"
Can I, or did I possibly damage something by not following these instructions?
The truck started up fine after the re-install and reset.
No trouble lights and everything works perfectly.
Should I disconnect the ECU from the wiring harness in the future when I do this again? Or is this just a safe guard.
Thanks for any help
Habibi
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 1997
Posts: 9,417
Likes: 11
From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada
I have had a superchips since 1997 and I have done both. When I am pressed for time I just pull it out. I am fully cognisant that it can cause chip or even PCM failure. All it takes is a bit of static discharge and poof...... It is cheap insurance to disconnect the battery. It also allows for a quicker re-learn of the PCM because of the reset. Remove at your own risk.
regards
Jean Marc Chartier
regards
Jean Marc Chartier
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Habibi,
The reality is that as long as the ignition is locked and the keys are out of the ignition, then no current will be sent between the J3 connector and the performance chip, so it can be removed or replaced, just as I told you, as that is *me* you are talking about.
However, you were told that this could be done *only* in direct response to your specific question about that. We *NEVER* encourage anyone to do it that way. If you will remember, I told you that we prefer to have the battery disconnected before doing anything related to the electrical system like that, and I also told you why. We have never told anyone that the proper way to install or remove any performance chip is with the battery still connected. We *HAVE* told several people who have specifically asked if this could be done that it could be as long as the ignition was locked and the keys were out of the ignition, so no power would be sent to that circuit, but that we do not prefer to see it done that way.
You will find that most manufacturer's instructions will tell you to disconnect the battery because that way the person *can't* make any number of mistakes related to allowing current somewhere it shouldn't be during service. Manufacturer's docs should always err on the side of caution, as if they don't, someone somewhere will swear they were never told, or try to blame it on the vendor or the manufacturer, etc. when they fry something.
Like the 2 young men that thought it was a good idea to completely ignore all of our instructions & documentation as well as the manufacturer's instructions for the Superchip, and decided that the Superchip should be installed WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING! And they wondered why the engine stalled...............................
Now that's an extreme example obviously, but that actually happened, and more than once, though of course the majority do things right.
From your description, it sounds like you're fine, but I do hope you will change your procedure and disconnect the battery before doing anything related to the electrical system from now on, as that's always the safest bet in just about any situation, and then you don't have to worry.
Good luck & have fun!
The reality is that as long as the ignition is locked and the keys are out of the ignition, then no current will be sent between the J3 connector and the performance chip, so it can be removed or replaced, just as I told you, as that is *me* you are talking about.
However, you were told that this could be done *only* in direct response to your specific question about that. We *NEVER* encourage anyone to do it that way. If you will remember, I told you that we prefer to have the battery disconnected before doing anything related to the electrical system like that, and I also told you why. We have never told anyone that the proper way to install or remove any performance chip is with the battery still connected. We *HAVE* told several people who have specifically asked if this could be done that it could be as long as the ignition was locked and the keys were out of the ignition, so no power would be sent to that circuit, but that we do not prefer to see it done that way.
You will find that most manufacturer's instructions will tell you to disconnect the battery because that way the person *can't* make any number of mistakes related to allowing current somewhere it shouldn't be during service. Manufacturer's docs should always err on the side of caution, as if they don't, someone somewhere will swear they were never told, or try to blame it on the vendor or the manufacturer, etc. when they fry something.
Like the 2 young men that thought it was a good idea to completely ignore all of our instructions & documentation as well as the manufacturer's instructions for the Superchip, and decided that the Superchip should be installed WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING! And they wondered why the engine stalled...............................
Now that's an extreme example obviously, but that actually happened, and more than once, though of course the majority do things right.
From your description, it sounds like you're fine, but I do hope you will change your procedure and disconnect the battery before doing anything related to the electrical system from now on, as that's always the safest bet in just about any situation, and then you don't have to worry.
Good luck & have fun!
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 664
Likes: 1
From: Whitehorse, Yukon
Thx Jean Marc, and ty Mike for a well written detailed response.
I will disconnect the battery from now on anytime I remove/install the chip. (Better to be safe than sorry)
This is why I love this place, a regular "college of knowledge"
Regards
Habibi
I will disconnect the battery from now on anytime I remove/install the chip. (Better to be safe than sorry)
This is why I love this place, a regular "college of knowledge"
Regards
Habibi
