My engine chipping experience so far

[bigCake Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bigCake]

CEL on the freeway is a major safety issue!

[Chip It Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chip It]

yes we do have loyal customers and because other chip companies are experiencing the same starting issues and our price and product provide more features and more benefit.

[bigCake Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bigCake]

So for the safety, is it better to connect the earth even if the starting issue will happen?
I think it's better than seeing CEL on the freeway at least.

Will the starting issue do any damage to the engine?

Thanks

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

I spoke too soon, second chip worked well with the earth relay initially, but CEL came on the next day. I've now fitted the original chip with the loom with the earth relay, so far so good.

But my optimism is severly dented and I have no great faith that this will work.


Muffla,

Well said, I feel like a guinea pig or an unpaid R&D mechanic.

ChipIt,

Below are some quotes from yourself including dates,

12-05-2011, 12:34 PM
"it took us a whilst to crack this one. But we did crack it"

26-05-2011, 07:20 PM
"Piece of cake... intructions are step by step and the chip is plug and drive."

30-08-2011, 01:51 PM
"Problems have been addressed and fixed in any case."

06-12-2011, 01:51 PM
"all issues fixed"

28-01-2012, 10:31 PM
"The issue was done and dusted."

31-01-2012, 10:10 AM
"seems like an installation/wiring harness issue WITH YOUR CHIPS."

Your information so far has been misleading at best. First quote re this starting and CEL issue is from May last year, 10 months ago and the issue, despite your reassurances to the contrary, still exists.

Is there a ChipIt workshop in Brisbane I can take my car to have it fixed?

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Chipping thus far, as a potential swinging chip customer, no way on gods earth would i fit something so unreliable to my Prado and i am really surprised others have done so considering the issues that have been raised todate.

When you read about the steinbauer chip installs and the happy customers it would be well worth considering paying the extra $$ for reliabilty, safety and just bloody peace of mind. I know i will considering this one.

[BNEGXL Member Find all posts View Profile Close BNEGXL]

frederick,

I think you're right, I went the chipit because I prefer their methodology of performance gain, increasing boost as well as fuel changes, so far it does perform well but the reliability issues it has caused to my car haven't been worth it.

and despite chipit's assertions to the contrary, Steinbauer,
a/ is not having these same issues, (source, this forum, 3 owners and Steinbauer themselves at the Bris 4X4 show)
b/ does not have the water ingress issue the chipit has,
c/ does not need to be removed for vehicle servicing,
d/ is genuine "plug and play",
e/ does not "rattle", so you don't have to remove the cover and insert a business card,
and the real kicker,
f/ pay more initially, remove it when you sell the car and you will get most of your money back selling it on ebay.

It may not be as technically advanced, but it works!

[frederick Member Find all posts View Profile Close frederick]

Bnegxl, ditto to all that mate.

[Chip It Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chip It]

I would say this is correct.

The starting issue is NOT that the vehicle wont start AT ALL. Rather it starts on the second crank instead of the first.

No engine damage will occur.

So for the safety, is it better to connect the earth even if the starting issue will happen?
I think it's better than seeing CEL on the freeway at least.

Will the starting issue do any damage to the engine?

Thanks

[Chip It Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chip It]

Yes, like you we too spoke too soon. We in all honesty thought the issue was fixed with the earth strap.

However the earth is causing a delayed start issue.

What is the fix for this? SIMPLY RUN THE RELAY WE SUPPLY FOR FREE!!!

1) The relay will drop out the earth on cranking
2) The relay will activate the earth after engine start.

If this seems too hard for you or if you feel you have been ripped off please feel free to call the office for a refund.

Regarding Steinbauer injector style chip. We have the same injector style chip. Their price $1500 - $1600 and give you 20% more power. Our chip is $1349 and provides 25% more power.

We have both types.

[Chip It Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chip It]

Regarding point c) Who says the other chip does not need to be removed for servicing???

If you have engine failure with that chip (or any chip) the manufacturer will try to rip you a new a55.

Please remember guys, it is not for us that you are removing the chip before servicing. It is for your benefit so you never have an argument with the dealer/manufacturer for warranty requests. This goes the same with any chip.

For example if I told everyone that it is fine to go to the dealer without removing the chip you would feel all warm and fuzzy inside right up until the dealer says "You got a chip on that". Then you will have to argue with them to show the chip didn't cause the issue.

We are just trying to short circuit that argument.

If it make you feel better, and it make us look better I should rather NOT give owners the correct advice. But this is NOT my style ... even if it scores me brownie points by telling porky pies. I would MUCH rather have given people the truth about how dealers and manufacturers view after-market parts.


Like I said, if you want a injector style chip than yes you can buy one of those same steinbauer chips from us too. Cheaper and more power and play and play and water proof. But you will not get the performance of the Fuel Rail chip or have the chip available on cruise control!

YES that's correct, since the steinbauer chip references the throttle it DOES NOT WORK ON CRUISE!!

frederick,

I think you're right, I went the chipit because I prefer their methodology of performance gain, increasing boost as well as fuel changes, so far it does perform well but the reliability issues it has caused to my car haven't been worth it.

and despite chipit's assertions to the contrary, Steinbauer,
a/ is not having these same issues, (source, this forum, 3 owners and Steinbauer themselves at the Bris 4X4 show)
b/ does not have the water ingress issue the chipit has,
c/ does not need to be removed for vehicle servicing,
d/ is genuine "plug and play",
e/ does not "rattle", so you don't have to remove the cover and insert a business card,
and the real kicker,
f/ pay more initially, remove it when you sell the car and you will get most of your money back selling it on ebay.

It may not be as technically advanced, but it works!

[downunder Find all posts View Profile Close downunder]

Well i have been doing research on the steinbauer, and they can now do it on cruise control. So That issue is not a problem anymore.
I would like to go the fuel rail as as i think you do get better fuel efficieny vs injector control. However the conserns with starting and fault codes does not give me the confidence of reliability. Therefore if i do not hear these issues are sorted before i decide to chip my prado one engine has goine though run in, i will play it safe and go the Stainbauer.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

After 20 pages devoted to this thread it appears that most pages are prodominantly targeted at the Chip It Module so one starts to question why other products of similar nature aren't being discussed here. I can see that Chip It offer slightly more output from their chip but it is really worth all these problems I asked myself?

Its sad but from what I can see, Chip It are selling their products with no guarantee that it will function correctly, instead relying on a loyal customer base to weed out reliability issues on their own $70k cars? I do appreciate the customer support that Chip It offer their wounded buyers but seriously guys, this is crazy. A well researched and developed product such as this should provide function straight from the box, instead its as though we are the guinea pigs solving all the problems?

Its been mentioned here early on but it seems very strange that a product designed for a particular model of vehicle can offer so many different outcomes? Some need this earth, some don't, some need this, some need that.....If the module is the same and its fitted to the same car, why would there be so many variables???

Im glad there are those that are prepared to devote their time and money in working with Chip It to weed out all these failures, at least then it will one day be a product worth buying.

Good Luck guys.

Dear Muffla

I respect your observations, but would like to point out two things:
1. Just as there are Non Chip-it customers not posting here because they don't have issues, so are there Chip-it customers who don't have issues.
2. Perhaps (and I only assume) the problems are for a minority, and as can be seen, Chip-it are not shirking away from the issues.

As a very happy customer (120 series and yes I paid a lot more than $70k) I will not hesitate in promoting the Chip-It chip. I do feel for those guys having problems and hope they get sorted out. I do beleive the Chip-It guys guarantee their product as per the money back guarantee they provide in writing!

I can only speak for myself, I am very happy with the result. On my trip back to Adelaide from Perth pulling an overloaded camper trailer and with my roof racks carrying around 200kg (yes I know the limit) I was easily able to overtake the speed limited road trains when I needed too.

I am aware there are at least 18 members of this site that are at least happy (don't want to overexagerate) with their Chip-it chips and have not had any problems.

Finally, openly admitting I am NOT a diesel expert, my amature advice would be if anyone wants some more power, get any cheap chip, BUT if you want a lot more power without sacrificing a proportionate amount of fuel, buy a Chip-It. Some dyno results are on my build up for those considering all the facts. It should be noted that the results were done while I had a fuel line problem and on a stinking hot day which adversely effected the results. That aside the results are great.

[Sambo150 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sambo150]

This thread just gets more and more interesting the longer it goes on...... So glad I can live with the seemingly inadequate power of the stock item.

[Chip It Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chip It]

Thanks for the support MLC. Most companies do not come on forums because negative talk however minor does have a way of causing more issues than not. When companies try to answer honestly the rebuttal may often look like "just selling". In many cases it may be but in others it is just trying to tell it as it is.

In no way do I disrespect the info given on these forums as they do allow customers to see the REAL DEAL.

We are out there as the ONLY Australian company making our own chips. ALL OTHERS ... THAT INCLUDES ALL ... import the chips from China/Taiwan or Europe (which probably are made in China anyhow). Not saying this is bad as the labour rate is what adds costs to any product, but keeping profits here in Australia does appeal to most Aussies.

MidLife is correct, many customers are happy with the product and may NEVER speak up. However, as you know if someone has a negative experience they will tell the world so companies shy away from forums for this reason.

Being on here just allows us to get direct and quick replies to people that support us so we take the good with the bad.

Having a money back guarantee also allows people to "test" to see if what we say is true or not.

Please keep in mind ANYONE that has a starting issue PLEASE contact us for a FREE relay FREELY POSTED out to you so that both the starting AND the CEL issues are taken care of.

Guys (and gals) please know we are here to take care of issues and needs of our customers. If you do have concerns feel free to call me 0412 304030 or email me [email protected]. I am more than happy to assist.

Cheers

[Chip It Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chip It]

This thread just gets more and more interesting the longer it goes on...... So glad I can live with the seemingly inadequate power of the stock item.

Try a Chip Sambo ... you will never look back. 30 day money back guarantee !