i got mine just like in the picture, and worked 1 shot, so unless you see your traces just like on the pictures you have to keep going

 

Well I don't have the F5 or even a DP, but I took mine down to the copper. All tin gone. Yeah I know what it says. Worked first time out and every time since. No hiccups at all. As the sites say, take off and clean again. I didn't feel like doing it again.

 

When I installed my tuner a few weeks ago I had the same problem. I took it back out and started over again, I also was woeeied about the connector being overscuffed/cleaned. I noticed the plastic housing was pinching the wire and also it must have moved the connector somewhat. So i broke off a section of the plastic housing where the wire and connector are coming out. Then I used duct tape to hold the wire and chip. then the truck started fine and works great ever since. I believe the plastic housing was causing the problem. try that before taking more off the connector. Jeff

 

If the switch is doing the light dance it is making some contact since it is getting power. But if the WTS light is not comming on something is preventing the PCM from doing its self test.

 

I had the exact same problem when I put in my DP tuner last year. I FREAKED OUT. I just bought the truck and my wife was ready to kill me. I got lucky and Jody answered the phone on a sunday, told me the same thing... CLEAN IT BETTER.
So, an hour later, truck fired right up. I did a little cut-out on the trim pieces around the computer so I could get better access without pullin the thing out again. Now I can pull my tuner out in 2 seconds if needed. What happens is the contact have a thin, must be hard, glaze over them, I polished the snot out of both sides the first time, but had to do it even better. I used prep pad, like you use for fine sanding bondo.
Now, I have noticed that every so often when I roll the key ahead, the WTS light does not lite and fuel pump does not kick on. When this happens, the truck will not start. Just hit the key again, maybe a little slower, and it all works. Also, this happens almost all the time now for me, The chip will stick in a program, it will grab from either end, I have stock at one end and high idle at the other. When it sticks, you just have to shut the truck off and restart it and all is well again. I am beginning to think a bad battery is causing this, as the problem did not start untill I forgot to plug it one night. I had a HARD time getting her to start and ever since, it does not like cold starts and the programmer sticks.

 

Jeff, you have to take it apart, and after you clean it again, and put DP back in, use duck tape to seal it, moisture and humidity will ruin the contacts on your PCM, normally this is the reason why they covered with silicon to prevent that,
i sealed mine with ducktape and no problems, so you have to do it if you want to avoid problems, and sooner rather than later it will be a problem

 

I will do that as soon as I get a free bay in my shed. Got a little mechanic business going right now, trying to make a few extra bucks to pay for my fuel.

 

Alright fellas. I spent another couple of hours doing this a few more times.
First time, could still see just a little silver on the traces - same thing
Second time, nothing but copper - same thing
Third time, cleaned everthing with rubing alcohol, and used the old mutlimeter. Turns out i can't check them all (the board overlaps to where i can't quite get to a few), but all that i checked are good.

I can't clean it up anymore. If i do, i'll be losing copper!

BTW: it fits plenty snug still... This is reminding me of my old nintendo days... clean clean clean... reinsert!

 

BHD, let me get this out of the way, first. You did remove the 6 small bolts, and took apart the PCM so you can get to both sides of the circuit board, correct? I wanted to make sure because that was something very easy that could be easily overlooked. Anyway if it still doesn't work, don't frustrate yourself, Jody will work it out with you.

 

YES! good call though... i can't say how many times i've overlooked stuff like that. It's almost like you know me.

I won't mess with it anymore. I built a little hinge door on the plastic cover so i can put in the next one without removing the cpu again. That bolt in the middle of the wiring loom is a real pain for my hands!

I just wanted to make it work so bad! The more i researched on here why it wasn't working, the more i found posts talking about how awsome it is! I CANT WAIT!

 

If you drop the driverside wheel well liner it makes that bolt and connector much easier to access

 

He sent me another and all is good... works too well! I need a new clutch now!

 

Good to hear bhd..........let the PMS commense