99 F-150 w/ Super chip A week ago it just stopped running The shop that has been working on it said that It was a fuel pump. It turned out not to be the pump.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what it might be?
They keep saying it must be the computer, this is not good because they have already charged me for a $500. pump. it has only 50,000mi on it.
and has been running fine. They did say something about the injectors were not energizing? They claim to be running tests on it, i'm just not sure how good they are.

 

Take out the chip and see if it starts. Make sure the key is out of the ignition before pulling it. If it starts, then you need to yank out the computer, pull it apart and follow the instructions for cleaning the computer board which was included with your SuperChip. If you have a digital odometer, it will show lines across the display...which is a tell-tale sign it's a bad connection.

One other thing you might look at is the emergency fuel cut-off which might have tripped off. Look up the reset instructions in your owner's manual. This is a safety device which cuts off when it senses the truck is in an accident or if it is violently jarred.

Did you already pay the mechanic(s) for the pump? Sounds like a bayfull of Bufords are a workin' on your truck.

 

In nearly ever instance of a vehicle with a chip losing power, it's a problem with the connection the chip is making to the computer.

You should also get your money back for the fuel pump since it wasn't faulty.

 

Find another shop to work on your truck. Sounds like their feeding you a bunch of baloney. Post on the CHIPS forum.

 

Thanks for your info.
I'm going to pull the truck today and send it to the dealer.
I did tell the shop about the chip and they said it was still in solid, I also taped it in place. and cleaned the conection very well before installing the chip. I've had the chip for 3mo. or more and it's been no problem.
The truck would start for just 3-4sec. then die. then nothing, then it would start and run for 3-4 sec. and stop. I wondered if it could be a falty key.

 

I just found out from the shop that it was the key that we had made from ford that went out. and they are going to take care of the fuel pump that was put in by mistake. I'll still have to go around with ford on the reprograming the hole car. But thats better then replacing the computer. Thanks again for the info.

 

Can you tell me a little more about the "key" issue. My truck just cut off twice yesterday. I have a SuperChip and they said it was the fuel pump and after that checked out OK, they blamed the SuperChip.

 

I just had the same thing happen yesterday on my F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L. I've had my SuperChip installed since Mar without a problem. Yesterday I was basically coasting down a hill and everything went off. The only way to start was to recycle the key all the way to off and back to on. The truck ran just fine after that. I called my dealer and they said the same thing.......It's the fuel pump.

It happened a second time before I got it in. They looked up a TSB and then went to the computer and found my SuperChip. They blamed it on my chip and had to download the correct program for the truck after removing the chip.

I had my chip professionally installed by a Ford Motorsport dealer here in the local area. They do the same thing for many F-150s and Mustangs. It was the first thing I checked when it happened the first time. It was just as secure as the day it was installed. I'm not totally confident that it was the chip.

 

As far as the problem with the Superchip, it is generally not the chip it self.

It is usually not the connection being loose either.

The problem is the COATING on the "plug-in of your vehicle computer. This is where the Superchip plugs into your computer.

The whole computer box needs to be unbolted from your wireing harness and removed from your vehicle. Very easy to do. The superchip needs to be unplugged from your computer. Then unscrew the computer box lid. Then examine with a focused bright light and a magnifying glass, the plug-in on the computer board. You will see 15 little contacts on each side for a total of 30 contacts. Is there coating on any of these contacts? Is there any coating in between the contacts? If so, remove coating, but do not scrape down to "copper".

 

iron horse,

You are telling me that it could be a coating issue after running the truck flawlessly since Mar when the installation was done?

 

Yes.

There are several experts on these boards that can go into detail, I only have my experience with it and what I have read on these boards.

I installed my own chip. I cleaned the computer plug-in myself. I used a box knife razor blade, rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips. I thought I had removed all the coating. Afterwards, I clipped it in, and used clear packing tape and taped my chip to the computer box.

For two or three months it ran great with no problems.

About a month ago it stalled while pulling out of a parking lot. I did not look to see if guages went wacky. Restarted and went on.

Then about two weeks ago, after I had installed a 2/2 lowering kit and was test driving it, the guage needle arms began moving forward and backward and my anti-theft and battery lights came on, then the truck just "died". I rolled to the curb and restarted it. It did this twice within 10 miles.

The only thing I did was as follows:

1. Asked for help on this site and got it!

2. Checked for anything "loose" or damaged. Found nothing.

3. cleaned battery posts and cables.

4. Pulled computer box and chip out. As suggested, I took a very bright light and a magnifying glass and I found COATING on one single little contact out of 30 contacts on the computer "plug-in", I also found some COATING in between the contacts. I removed the COATING.

Then I went on my version of National Lampoon's Family Vaction and drove a little over 3700 miles through the mountains, Death Valley, "storm bursts", insane San "Berdoo" stop and go traffic, and the bumpiest/pothole/crater filled U.S. highways with no problems.

Now a week after my "tour of the west", I still have no problems...with my truck. ha!

 

That is exactly what he is telling you. You would do well to listen. The conformal coating issue is one that plays out in the EXACT same way...time and time again.

Don't make the mistake of thinking because you had it "professionally" installed, you won't have a problem. The odds of having a conformal coating problem actually go up when one has someone that is getting an hourly pay do it. Take it back to them and let them clean it up better if you believe they will do a good job. Maybe you can get them to let you take a look at it after they pull out your computer. Even the slightest trace of coating can interfer in the data process. Also be aware that if the coating has contaminated the chip itself....that will now need cleaned also.


Rocks

 

One more hint....If you want to see if the problem is something else. Simply disconnect the negative battery cable. Pull out the chip. Turn the headlight switch on for at least 5 minutes to drain risidual power from computer this will allow the computer to reset. Turn switch back off. Reconnect the negative cable and start it up. Run without the chip for awhile and see if it acts up again.
If it does, it ain't the chip. If it doesn't...then try to clean up the conformal coating better.

Rocks

 

Yikes...I just read one of your posts where you said they reflashed your computer. You now need a different chip.
Go to the people that sold the chip to you for reprogramming...door number 3.


Rocks

 

OK. I'll pull the computer. You say that's easy to do. I have to pull the battery. Any trick to pulling the wiring? After I loosen the bolt in the center of wiring harness, is there anything else attached to the computer to be undone?

Should rubbing alcholol and q-tips be sufficient to remove any coating? I don't want to scrap anything if I don't have to!