My engine chipping experience so far

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

Thanks Darren for that post. I appreaciate it and you are right ... we are working on it for the few guys this is affecting.

Again, good honest post.

Cheers

Robert

OK... So I have a chip-it installed on my Prado150 GXL TD.

I have a two sided story:
1) The chip has constantly let me down a failed from day one with limp mode problems over and over again since Easter! :-(
2) Justin from Chip-it WA is going out of his way to rectify the problem over and over. :smile:

I have been working with the Perth boys at Chip-it to try and resolve some of the reliability issues "some" 150 chip-it owners seem to be experiencing.
With several program and hardware modifications, my chip "now" functions perfectly whilst driving. 1280km to coral bay without a glitch. I am only now having issue if I leave the car idling. This is a drastic improvement. They have also loaned me the equipment to reset the code myself for when this does happen.

Some people say to me why bother and just get a refund (which has been offered to me!) but the improvement are honestly that good that i am will to try and stick it out. Justin and his team who have had my car for a few days with an interstate specialist have improved the reliability 80% and i'm sure they will get there.

It would be too easy to just give up on this product and we can't really expect Chip-it to own every model of car they sell a chip for!

The fuel savings alone (with careful driving) that i am seeing would result in the chip paying for itself in little over a year... Oh and the acceleration!

(Previously Darren253... Log-in errors!)

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

Give me a call Brooksy, we are now in the middle of a new release for the older vehicles too.

Cheers

Robert

Wow what a great explanation provided by chip it. I wonder though how that suits me with an older 90 series t/diesel. From what I can see on the chip it website, your chips are a bit too advanced for the older style diesels. Given this, Robert, do you have a view on which of the other 4 chips are more appropriate for my car, and importantly, will last the distance?

[VXWesty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VXWesty]

Hi Everyone,

Well so far so good with the RF filters on the wiring harness. I haven't had one limp mode during the three weeks they been fitted and before that it was happening every other day. I'm happy now

VWesty

[DGW Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DGW]

Hi VXWesty or Chip IT,

My chip goes on on wednesday and if this issue occurs, what is the reset / restart process ? I know it sounds a strange question but as I will be driving out of Syndey in peak hour traffic after the install, those unfortunate enough to be there understand what can happen when a car breaks down.

Thanks Dave

[VXWesty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VXWesty]

Hi Dave,

Really simple to reset... turn the car off, then back on again. The limp mode lights may continue to flash but you'll have full power back. I found that the warning lights would automatically reset after 6 or 7 restarts of the engine.

If you ask them to use a wiring harness with the RF Filters then you shouldn't have any problems.

VXWesty

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

I have the new harness but am still getting the limp home problem. Moreover, the rail plug doesn't properly click into the rail with the weatherseal inserted and on some severe corrugations it came off and I couldn't start the car. After 10 minutes of head scratching I found the fault and disconnected the chip.

Rob assures me there is a new chip in the works which should eliminate the RF problem. I would also suggest they look at their manufacturing process for the rail plugs as they should fit exactly the same as the OE stuff.

[DGW Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DGW]

Hi VXWesty,

Thanks, I wasn't sure if was a major reboot or not. I already have the chip but will ask about the different wiring loom. Should be interesting to see how it goes and I am looking forward to driving it. Very different to my old 2001 TD with all the electrics, sensors, airbags, abs etc but I wouldn't go back.

Thanks Dave

[VXWesty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VXWesty]

Hi All,

I guess I jinxed myself by publicly stating that all was good now! I had two limp modes over the weekend One came after heavier-than-ususal braking, the other while I was idle at traffic lights for a few minutes.

I sure hope Chip-It can find a solution.

VXWesty

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Interested to hear what the outcome is .... ive held off fitting one to my vehicle waiting to hear the feedback from the group buy. 10% discount doesnt cut it when fitting an aftermarket performance enhancer to a 60K vehicle that im intending to keep for a while.

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

Guys
I have had mine on for a while now and happy to say:
1. No faults, no limp homes, no issues at all really
2. Great performance on setting 4
3. Will probably drop the settings to 3 as it does blow a little smoke at full throttle if doing less than aroun 80-100kph.
I have been a little heavy footed just loving the power but its time to use this baby for responsible power and torque and start saving on the fuel.

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

Midlife: a blanking of the EGR will reduce the black smoke.

VX Westy: contact us to discuss.

Alternate: Chipping doesn't hurt your investment. If you need to remove the Chip for servicing you can ... takes 10 mins. I don't get the idea of your post. It's an accessory just like anything else

Cheers

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Alternate: Chipping doesn't hurt your investment. If you need to remove the Chip for servicing you can ... takes 10 mins. I don't get the idea of your post. It's an accessory just like anything else

Theres no "idea" behind my post. The simple fact is i have spent a lot of cash on this car and accessories and i am waiting to hear from the others before fitting anything that changes/manipulates the factory ECU settings . Fault codes, check engine lights, limp mode and black smoke.... im sure they are only teething problems but i'll wait till they are sorted.

Cheers

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

Theres no "idea" behind my post. The simple fact is i have spent a lot of cash on this car and accessories and i am waiting to hear from the others before fitting anything that changes/manipulates the factory ECU settings . Fault codes, check engine lights, limp mode and black smoke.... im sure they are only teething problems but i'll wait till they are sorted.

Cheers

Gotta respect that Alt, but my rig has cost approx $90k plus so far and is a July 2009 build. My take on the car and life is it only exists for a finite period of time. If I fail to maximise the experience of both then I have failed to enjoy both to the maximum.

Just my personal approach, but hey, that's why I also sook about some major scratches on my rig lol.

[VXWesty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VXWesty]

Midlife: a blanking of the EGR will reduce the black smoke.

VX Westy: contact us to discuss.

Alternate: Chipping doesn't hurt your investment. If you need to remove the Chip for servicing you can ... takes 10 mins. I don't get the idea of your post. It's an accessory just like anything else

Cheers

Hi Robert,

I've been in contact with Justin over here and he has been extremely helpful with trying different solutions. I'll keep in contact with him over the coming weeks as he assures me a solution will be available soon.

Cheers
VXWesty

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

OK, thanks for that

Cheers