I know that having a chip in a Lightning can cause some serious problems with some warranty work, but how many people have had problems with a dealer after taking the chip out? Have dealers checked the goop on the ECC's blade connection? Is there anyway to replace the goop? Are any codes stored in the ECC?



------------------
Scott Weatherford
351W 1993 LX 11.9 @ 118MPH (Drag Radials)
Black 2001 Lightning no timeslips yet
WWW.TheVL.COM/VENOM

 

According to the Moss-Magnuson Act... FEDERAL legislation... the manufacturer MUST prove in a COURT of LAW that the chip caused a problem with the vehicle. Otherwise repairs MUST be made under warranty. Do a search on the internet under Moss Magnuson, get a copy, and bring it to your dealer. Let him know that you know your rights, and he had better be prepared to pay the legal fees AND warranty repairs...

 

The service manager told me outright that I could chip it as long as it wasn't installed when I bring it in for service or repairs, kinda cool I thought. We'll see if they meant it or not as time goes by.

 

I got some crap from my service manager b/c of a chip. I took it out, but they were getting an "unknown program" when they tried to read the pcm, even after I reset it twice. I had to buy a new computer b-4 they would even work on it (I blew my tranny).

Sparky,

Where are you located?

------------------
Black '00
#2216

 

Oak Park Illinios just west of Chicago.

------------------
2001 Black Lightning
Born 01/09/01
Brought home 02/08/01
A.R.E. LS II W/wing
Bedrug
More to come
spark-doctor@mediaone.net

 

I'm located near Houston, TX. Does anyone know any "mod friendly" service departments in the area?



------------------
Scott Weatherford
351W 1993 LX 11.9 @ 118MPH (Drag Radials)
Black 2001 Lightning no timeslips yet
WWW.TheVL.COM/VENOM

 

I've wanted to chip mine, but was afraid of the warranty. As far as the Mag act, thats fine if you have the time and money to fight FoMoCo, i don't. That's #1.
2, I have heard several places what was posted above, they can tell if you chipped it even if the chip is removed.
Ah, but #3, the way around seems to be purchasing another, what do they call them? PCM? Another computer to use in case of warrranty work. So the cost of chipping should include a new puter too. I would still hint around my service mngr. first. Call me paranoid but an eng replaement is 10k!, who knows what a trani R&R is, a bunch. I personally cant take the risk of a voided warranty. Besides it's so damn fast now, do i really need it

------------------
Silver '00 Lightning.
#3962/4966 6/16/00
PSP filter kit.
JL 300/4 amp, JL-XR's, VR's and 10WO, Crossfire 75.2 amp.
Ligted Logos.
Xenon bulbs X 4.
Clear corners, Altezza tails on order.

 

I know first hand since I have been having issues with my tranny, Reddawgy, I agree with the price concerns. I asked the service manager the first time I took my truck in how much the tranny work was going to be. He said "A lot". I had to buy a new pcm b/c a chip had been put in and they said they could not read the computer.

------------------
Black '00
#2216

 

Hello, I had posted this in the "other drive train" section, 4x4 will not dissengage...

Hello Everyone!
I finally got the truck in to the shop. It turned out to be the GEM. They hooked her up to the diag computer and found "multiple" codes. Interestingly enough, the first question the service manager asked was if I have any "aftermarket electronics" installed IE: "Performance computer chip". At this time I don't, so my factory warranty remained intact. They even went as far as to make sure the conformal coating was not removed from the computer edge connector.
I was also having alarm trouble, it wouldn't shut off. It was possible that the alarm took out the GEM as well.
So, everyone with a computer chip, factory warranty, or ESP, be careful. If anything happens to the electrical / computer system, your warranty may be voided. I was also warned about my Airaid...
Atleast now I have a new GEM and alarm modules.

Still on the fence about buying a chip, and I'm more interested in buying the ESP.

Hope this helps...



------------------
1999 F-150 4x4 XLT SC FS ORP Dark Graphite interior, Dark Toreador Red, Power (Driver's) Captain's Chairs, 6 Disk CD, Remote Keyless Entry, Rear Slider
5.4, 3.73
Mods:
Manik grill guard, Westin Nerfs, Lund Moon Visor, Leer TSC600 hard bed cover, Duraliner Drop-in bed liner. Deflecta Shield II bug guard, Ford Vent Visors, Remote Start, Lojack, Airaid FIPK.
Issues:
5.4 "Slapper" replaced with New 2K at 12k mi.
Driver's Door Crack Repaired at 15k mi.

 

Thankfully I have a service manager that, in his own words, is an old gear head! The only thing I could do to my L that would make him cringe a bit would be nitrous. He is as interested in my improving timeslips as anyone. What a guy!!!

Later,
Jake...

------------------
2000 Black Lightning
#54 of 4966
NLOC #476
PSP full meal deal
Level 10 shift kit
SnugLid (soon to be Innovation Pro-Sport)
BedRug
Wet Okole seat covers
AIM 2" rear drop

13.870 @ 100.52 stock
13.087 @ 104.80 mods

jacobs@revealed.net

 

Hello all...

I want to make one thing clear. The Moss Magnuson Act is there to protect the consumer. The burden of proof in a suit of this nature is in Ford's lap.

If they refuse to warranty your vehicle, THEY must go to court and provide proof to avoid the repair.

If you are refused, go to a lawyer, and explain the situation. Most lawyers LOVE these kind of suits. Generally they will write a letter for little ($50) or no fee.

If FORD still refuses... (they won't), the court costs and legal fees are paid by Ford when they lose. It would be EXTREMELY difficult to prove that a chip caused the problem, considering the number of chipped vehicles on the road today. Most of the similarly chipped vehicles would have to have the same problem, and no stock vehicles could have the same problem. Otherwise Ford has not PROVEN beyond a reasonable doubt that the chip caused the problem. THEY KNOW THIS TOO!!!! That is why, after they discover you know it, thet will not argue. they will try to pull a fast one tho...

Now nothing is absolute. If Ford DOES by some MIRACLE prove the chip caused the problem, then you will have to pay YOUR lawyer only. Ford still has to pay their own legal costs. Don't you see? Ford loses either way... assuming you fight. If you don't fight, Ford CHEATS and pulls one over YOU.

Sorry for the rant...

 

Don't we have any lawyers on this board?

Where's Janet Reno?

Dammitt Janett- you're a ****!! J/K!

 

I got one in Houston. I take my trophys to mine and showem. Email me at noelvm@pdq.net and I'll tell you who to go to. There are too many looking eyes here.
noelvm


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"ANYTHING OTHER THAN 1ST, SUCKS" (D.Earnhardt)
99.5 Red Ligntning, Mobil 1, PRO-M 80 MM MAF/filter, Custom Superchip, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, CAL TRACS, MT ET Streets, best time (1/8) 8.19, Bugflector II, G&H Lens covers head & fog, 200 WT Pioneer 4 CH AMP, BOSE 301 SERIES IV SPEAKERS (IN BACK)LONESTAR RACEWAY 2000 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (AT 56)
70 Vette LS-6 454 (gathering dust in the garage)

 

Be sure to remove them thar 4" tips, muddn' tires and that thar confederate flag, 'fore go in to Billy joe johnnie rays auto repair shoppe Cuz YOU might chap thems boyz hides too!!

Awe heck, J/K

Spike

 

Noel, what you got to hide, buddy?