i bought a diablosport chip recently for my 98 2.3L 5 speed ranger, and i cant get the truck to start with the chip in. i have throughly cleaned to a the connections to a shine and even taken the truck to the dealership to see if possibly the code had been changed on the computer. they told me it was still the same code so i was wondering what i should do next.
thanks,
-dave

 

Does the Anti-Theft light flash really fast when the chip is in and you try to start it?

Ken Payne
[img src="/dcforum/User_files/webmaster/usaflag.gif" valign=top align=left] Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

hmmm........i dont remember i will have to check that out and get back with you. thanks
-dave

 

the theft light did not flash, but the check engine, battery, and check gauge light came and stayed on when i put the key in and turned it. have any idea what is wrong?
-dave

 

Okay....

A blinking theft light means you got one of the Ford computers that Ford left a jumper off on. If this had been the case, your computer would have needed the jumper put on but its not so we'll move on to the other possibilities....

Based on what you've told me either the chip isn't making complete electrical contact on all the pins, the wiring harness wasn't completely tightened down or the stock ECU has been reflashed.

First, use a small flathead screw-driver to carefully scrape off the pins and in between them. If there is any milkly or brownish coating left it needs to be removed. Also, make sure no grit has gotten into the chip module connector. The stock computer has two metal coatings on the pins (copper under the silver). If you get down to the copper, stop. There's no need to go that far. Also, make sure you get the top and bottom of the connector since the bottom of the connector has less clearance for cleaning. About 90% of the no-starts are caused by incomplete cleaning. Its easy to miss some of the coating, I've done this myself even after installing many chips.

Second, did you disconnect the battery and leave the keys out of the ignition when installing the chip? If not, then you could have damaged the chip (Diablo can test for this).

Third, did you just plug the wiring harness back in and try starting it or did you completely tighten down the harness and reinstall the ECU box? The box needs to have the harness completely tightened down or the connectors inside of it do not make full contact.

Fourth, if none of these are fix the problem, then the chip itself may be at fault but this likelihood is slim. If this is the case, we'll swap it out.

Fifth, if swapping out the chip doesn't fix it, then the stock ECU has been reflashed, even if the dealer says it hasn't. Chips, if they are not physically/electrically damaged, will always start if they make electrical contact AND they are burned for the correct ECU code.

Ken Payne
[img src="/dcforum/User_files/webmaster/usaflag.gif" valign=top align=left] Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

well i cleaned it thoroughly again, put everything back in place and the same thing is happening. if i remember correctly though, i dont think i disconnected the battery when i put the chip on the first time. so maybe the chip is fried. =(
so what action do i need to take now?
-dave

 

Call me at 770-806-1955, 9 am - 5 pm, Eastern Standard Time to arrange a swap out. Please follow the instructions about the ignition key and the battery as failure to do so can burn out your ECU. Diablo doesn't cover the ECU from failure to do this.

Sorry for the delay replying, it got lost during the upgrade this weekend.

 

thanks for all your help ken
-dave

 

 

Ken Payne,
I am new to this site, and also to the Chip stuff.. I just had a chip put in my 2001 Ford Excursion (7.3L diesel ). My "Theft" light does flash really fast when I first start my truck, but then gets slower and eventually stops.. Do I need to have something fixed? or just let it keep doing that... the truck runs GREAT!
Thank you
Fred

 

Try posting as a new thread. You've responded to a 4 year old topic.