OBD I and Hypertech chip
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 82
From: Columbus OH
OBD I and Hypertech chip
Just a quick question for my father in law. He was told that if he plugs an OBD reader into his 90' that he should remove the Hypertech chip first or else it could cause damage to the chip and his ECM. Is there any truth to this?
It is a simple code and monitoring scanner tool and not one that you can reprogram with, so I don't think it would do anything, but thought I would ask the experts on the forum.
Thanks in advance.
It is a simple code and monitoring scanner tool and not one that you can reprogram with, so I don't think it would do anything, but thought I would ask the experts on the forum.
Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 31
From: Reno Nevada
Wow, talk about an ole wives tale. Simple answer, no it will not. 1990 is most likely a piggyback onto the original memcal. The only real change in the hypertech programming is the cooling fans coming on sooner. I've read a few of their chips, and it is truly hype. These chips back then are known as EPROM's, or erasable, programmable read only memory. You erase them with ultra violet light. Today we use EEPROM's that are electronically erasable. Programming through the ALDL didn't start until 94.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 82
From: Columbus OH
Thanks Joel and MrWillys. It sounded wrong to me, but the Father in Law was certain that it would do something to screw up the computers. Just wanted to check.
As far as the chip itself, I have ridden and driven the car with and without and do notice a little bit of difference. The shift into second (automatic) is just a little tighter, but the shift into third is much stronger with the chip in.
Thanks again.
As far as the chip itself, I have ridden and driven the car with and without and do notice a little bit of difference. The shift into second (automatic) is just a little tighter, but the shift into third is much stronger with the chip in.
Thanks again.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
The ECM DOES control when the torque converter locks up, so it's possible that the lockup speed has been lowered. I guess the shifts would feel different with the torque converter locked.
For reference: on my car the ECM locks the torque converter at 40 MPH (any gear). I don't know if the same speed was used in later years or if the Hypertech chip changes the speed.
