Got my R9 but have not yet installed it as I'm hesitant becuase I have to disconnect the battery and lost the customized setting and radio preset of my aftermarket stereo.

What will happen if I just switch the chips without disconnecting the battery?

 

I have had that very same problem before, and I talked to an older friend of mine about it, and this is what he said, and it worked for me.

get an old car power adaprter and cut the wires a good length (long enough) from the ends so that you can hook it up to a 9 volt battery. The batter is not strong enough to short anything out, but it is strong enough to keep your radio memory intact. See what I mean? If you can take from the power system from the power point, you can give right back. Just be sure to plug it in right before yo disconnect the battery and do the same when you plug the batter back in.

See what I mean?

 

I have had Superchips installed three times at the factory, and the battery is never disconnected by the tech. Aslo, when I got my truck back from the intercooler replacement, I installed the Superchip without disconnecting the battery. The only advantage I can see is the fact that the old program will be totally erased from memory making a quicker adaption to the new program. In that it does not fully adapt immediately anyway, what's the point. I did disconnect it prior to taking it in for service because I wanted all remnants of the R9 chip erased from memory. Then it serves a good purpose IMHO.

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Sandy (Spider) Scott
Skydive69@msn.com
Apopka, Florida
99 White Lightning #2091 DOB 6-8-99
Airaid air box (S&B Filter) & Superchip
Kills:
Last 4 generation Mustang GT's (Including Cobra)
Audi S4
Dodge R/T

 

My experience mirrors that of Sandy. I cannot count the number of times I have removed/switched/traded between different versions of the Superchips and PSP chips and never disconnected the battery.

I have no idea if my technique is correct, but I take the truck out to a deserted strip of road or a large area under construction with some decent empty roads and do a number of no wheel spin hard launches and then out on the Interstate where I do a number of 40-80 or 90 bursts. Seems to work ok for me, but then that is all sotp stuff as I have not raced it on a timed strip so don't know if I get all the benefit all that fast.
Bill

 

From my understanding, it does not harm the chip to not disconnect the battery. The only thing it does is delay the application of the new program as the computer has to read/compare/overwrite existing mappings versus "here they are, use them." The same can be said for switching between programs for those with multiple program chips.

By disconnecting and draining residual voltage from the electrical system then installing the chip, you will (At least I do) notice an immediate difference. Then after about 30 miles, the benefits of the chip are in full effect.

Just my $.02

Please correct me if I am in error as I neither wish to convey nor possess misinformation.



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Brake Late, Dive Deep

Speedin Bob
'99 'Red Rocket' Lightning #2504, 6/17/99
NLOC # 438
13.56 @ 100.89, 1.97 60' on F-1's
JL Ram Air, R9 Chip,Keyless Entry, Retrax Bed Cover, Shackles, Wet Okoles, Mobil 1/FilterMag, Corners & Tails
Autophysics filter FOR SALE [9" x 3.5" Red Trim]

 

The "key words" GOTECHS said "Got my R9 but have not yet installed it". So this probably means the contacts on the PCM have not been cleaned. If that is the case YES you must disconnect the battery and pull the PCM.

Matter of fact you may have to go through this a couple times if you did not clean contacts well the first time.

When I had a custom chip burned by Houston Performance on the Dyno Michael would may a dyno run and if he was not pleased pulled chip tweaked it some more and plugged back in without disconnecting the battery. So yes it can be removed and put back in without disconnecting battery. Remember the contact were already cleaned.

To really get the most from any chip it should be done on the dyno and tweaked to the max.

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John Armstrong
2000 Red Lightning

 

If you've cleaned your PCM connector already, don't need to disconnect the battery to switch chips. It's just the MOST safe technique. Check this out, I switch between programs with the flip switch while the truck is idling. Just don't do it while actually in drive, due to the spark/fuel and timing setups being different.

 

Thanks, Guys.

Special thanks to Bob for the trick location.

 

Maybe it's just me, but I do not loose any presets from my radio. And I have done this countless of times,and yes for at least 10 minutes each time....any one else??

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Spiro-"The Greek"
BLK. #1476

Best run to date
12.753 @107.98
Best 60` 1.81
Best m.p.h. 107.98
@ 4700 lbs.
"Empty Pockets Racing"Drag Race Team NJ-DE
Spiro99SVT@aol.com
LAUNCH HARD

 

yes,you are right,all you lose is the clock but it might differ on an aftermarket

 

Thanks for the responses.

I currently am using the PSP Chip and also purchased the R9 some time back but have yet to install it.

I was hesitant as I did not want to disconnect the battery and lose my customized settings in my aftermarket stereo.

My PSP is just the slap-on type whereas the new R9 I received is a flip-chip. Still have to figure a location for the switch.

 

GoTech,

I found a trick place to locate the switch.

If you open the glove box and look near the latch assembly, there is a factory slot cut out on the left side holding a small bundle of wires. It is just right for the switch and you can close the glove box without it touching the switch arm. To make install easier, undo the glovebox "catch" and let it open to better expose the wiring route. Just fish the assembly up and behind the "plumbing" and snake it into the slot. No cutting or drilling whatsoever, it is accessible, and out of sight.

Good luck!



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Brake Late, Dive Deep

Speedin Bob
'99 'Red Rocket' Lightning #2504, 6/17/99
NLOC # 438
13.56 @ 100.89, 1.97 60' on F-1's
JL Ram Air, R9 Chip,Keyless Entry, Retrax Bed Cover, Shackles, Wet Okoles, Mobil 1/FilterMag, Corners & Tails
Autophysics filter FOR SALE [9" x 3.5" Red Trim]