power chips
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 128
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From: Kalamazoo, Michigan
power chips
Got this off another forum. Has to do with GM., but maybe also apply to Ford
1<SUP>st</SUP> post
"Seeing the question about keeping exhaust off a camper, it reminded me of what I'd seen recently at work. In the February edition of emerging issues for GM technicians, they talked about aftermarket power chips and software to increase power in diesel and gas engines. They showed us how to detect the non GM software and if we find a vehicle has aftermarket software/chips, we are to void the complete powertrain warranty. Even if you take the chips off, or return to factory settings, they can be found.
For those out there who are thinking of making modifications to increase power, if it's not GM approved, don't do it.
Just thought I'd pass this along... "
2<SUP>nd</SUP> post
"They were emphasizing situations that a major mechanical condition like holes in pistons, extreme heat damage, stuff like that. The other time you would get caught is when we update programming. Many times there is new software to deal with drivability problems. When we connect to the PCM, the last step before the new software is installed is the interface checks and displays what is in there already. Non GM software comes up as unknown calibration. Power programmers install their own software that stays in the PCM even if you select factory settings and remove the programmer. There again, the calibration file doesn't match any known GM file so it shows as unknown.
They would probably like it if we did check everything we worked on, but I don't have that kind of time. I probably would only go through the hassle of branding the title if it were totally obvious. Something serious like melted injector tips or major failure. I'd most likely let it go if it were something like just a sensor failure."
1<SUP>st</SUP> post
"Seeing the question about keeping exhaust off a camper, it reminded me of what I'd seen recently at work. In the February edition of emerging issues for GM technicians, they talked about aftermarket power chips and software to increase power in diesel and gas engines. They showed us how to detect the non GM software and if we find a vehicle has aftermarket software/chips, we are to void the complete powertrain warranty. Even if you take the chips off, or return to factory settings, they can be found.
For those out there who are thinking of making modifications to increase power, if it's not GM approved, don't do it.
Just thought I'd pass this along... "
2<SUP>nd</SUP> post
"They were emphasizing situations that a major mechanical condition like holes in pistons, extreme heat damage, stuff like that. The other time you would get caught is when we update programming. Many times there is new software to deal with drivability problems. When we connect to the PCM, the last step before the new software is installed is the interface checks and displays what is in there already. Non GM software comes up as unknown calibration. Power programmers install their own software that stays in the PCM even if you select factory settings and remove the programmer. There again, the calibration file doesn't match any known GM file so it shows as unknown.
They would probably like it if we did check everything we worked on, but I don't have that kind of time. I probably would only go through the hassle of branding the title if it were totally obvious. Something serious like melted injector tips or major failure. I'd most likely let it go if it were something like just a sensor failure."
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
I think this would come into play if you actually *flashed* the PCM with a programmer like the Hyper-Tech or whatever that connects to the OBD and physically downloads a new program. A "chip" like DP, Tony Wildman, TS Perf, etc don't flash the PCM, just forces it to read its parameters instead of the ones stored in the PCM's memory. I'm reasonably sure that these types of chips cannot be detected. That is, if Ford does something similar to GM, as this article spells out.
