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I just bought a 98 F150xlt Xtdcab with a 4.6l. The dealer said it had a chip but I really don't know much about them. Where can I verify if I actually have one or not, and if I do, how can find out which one I have?
If it doesn't require premium to run without engine ping then it probably doesn't have a chip. Open the passenger side door. Remove the kick panel and you'll see the computer. If it has a chip it will be sticking out of the back of the computer box.
I don't think I saw the computer. I took some pictures, I'll see if I can find a way to post them. When I removed the kickpanel, which was next to the door in the corner, I just saw black plastic housing that looks empty. I didn't see a circuitboard or anything like that, all this black box did was hold some wire connectors.
Its not a circuit board. its a box that sticks into the firewall, up high. You won't see any wiring connected to it (at least not on the passenger compartment side, there is a wiring harness connected to it on the engine side of the firewall.
I went back to take a look, I saw up high silver metal box that looks similiar to book. The edge look to be touching the firewall and the face to be touch the side of the interior. If this is it then I don't think anything was attached to it.
Yeah, that's it. If it has a chip then one side of it (the side facing towards the rear of the truck) will have a hole where the access cover has been removed. Sticking out of that hole will be a small module (the chip). If its a Diablo or SCT it will be a small circuit board module. If its a JET or Superchips it will be a black (JET) or blue (Superchips) module.
Would the chip go were the black rubber cover is? The metal bracket covers that. So I suppose if I did have one, that is where it would be located.
I'm not too bummed. I really don't listen too much to what a dealer says. I even questioned him on how he could be sure that is does have one. Anyways, I may go check out the diablo website and see about putting one in. Hopefully it's not too difficult or spendy. From what I have seen is that you do have a switch that can control what mode you are in. That would be nice. Anyways if anyone has reccomendations for please feel free to chime in with advice.
One other thought, this truck doesn't have any mod's done to it. I really only pull a 4,000 lb camper trailer during the summer months, but I would like to beef up the 4.6L that I have in the truck. Is putting in a chip the route I should go or should I do something with air intake or some other modification? What would be a good investment for my truck.