Chip Socket?
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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Chip Socket?
I see tons of posts regarding chipping and ECU spares. I suspect the standard
operating procedure is install a chipped ECU for fun and the standard one for service? Could there be a better way?
Walking through the development lab of a high tech firm in Seattle, I saw engineers working on boards where they had installed sockets on the board.
The socket has a lock/release lever that allows them to change various e-proms/code sets in and out of the board. The socket is designed to hold up over hundreds of insertions.
I have never seen an ECU, therefore can only wonder if there is enough vertical
height within the enclosure to allow for such a device. It sure would make taking the car in for service a much easier proposition.
Just curious!
operating procedure is install a chipped ECU for fun and the standard one for service? Could there be a better way?
Walking through the development lab of a high tech firm in Seattle, I saw engineers working on boards where they had installed sockets on the board.
The socket has a lock/release lever that allows them to change various e-proms/code sets in and out of the board. The socket is designed to hold up over hundreds of insertions.
I have never seen an ECU, therefore can only wonder if there is enough vertical
height within the enclosure to allow for such a device. It sure would make taking the car in for service a much easier proposition.
Just curious!
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 8,028
Likes: 1
From: Hawaii
Chip Sockets...(long)
If your question is: "Are chip sockets available on modified ECU's," then the answer is yes. This allows you to interchange between the modified chip and the stock performance.
Some people, when modifying their ECU's, opt to go for a spare ECU which is the same as your stock ECU. They then swap the whole ECU out when they go in for service, soas to avoid warranty problems. The only drawback to this is that when the car is hooked up to the computer, it'll read that there was a powerloss and one of the only explainations for this is that you either had a chip or your battery was disconnected. So either way, the service dept will find out.
I feel that it's your car and if you want to chip it, go ahead and do it. The dealer taking their time to open your ECU box to see whether or not you modified yours seems pretty distant to me, unless of course you bring it in for work done which envolves the ECU.
Even then, many service departments are rather impartial to getting a chip. They figure that if they are nice to you now, they'll keep your business for the future when your warranty and free service eventually runs out. If they want to be snobby about it, take your business elsewhere.
That's just my $0.02. Happy Motoring!
Chard
99.5 1.8tqms silver (chip on the way)
Some people, when modifying their ECU's, opt to go for a spare ECU which is the same as your stock ECU. They then swap the whole ECU out when they go in for service, soas to avoid warranty problems. The only drawback to this is that when the car is hooked up to the computer, it'll read that there was a powerloss and one of the only explainations for this is that you either had a chip or your battery was disconnected. So either way, the service dept will find out.
I feel that it's your car and if you want to chip it, go ahead and do it. The dealer taking their time to open your ECU box to see whether or not you modified yours seems pretty distant to me, unless of course you bring it in for work done which envolves the ECU.
Even then, many service departments are rather impartial to getting a chip. They figure that if they are nice to you now, they'll keep your business for the future when your warranty and free service eventually runs out. If they want to be snobby about it, take your business elsewhere.
That's just my $0.02. Happy Motoring!
Chard
99.5 1.8tqms silver (chip on the way)
New Member
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Re: Chip Sockets...Wett "beta" chip?
On their German site, Wett offers a "beta" chip upgrade that allows you to switch between stock and performance programming through a microswitch installed in the cabin. Any ideas why this isn't offered here?
New Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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Re: Chip Socket?
Sockets can be verry troublesome, trust me I speek from experience.
There are many different sockets available in the computer industry. And depending on the number of I/O (or contacts) it may be verry expensive to use.
I should also mention that some sockets would not work well in a ruff environment, due to creep (thermal and structural), and shock and vibration.
There are many different sockets available in the computer industry. And depending on the number of I/O (or contacts) it may be verry expensive to use.
I should also mention that some sockets would not work well in a ruff environment, due to creep (thermal and structural), and shock and vibration.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
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Yes, many vendors offer a socketed chip
I have had a Wett socketed chip for about 30k miles. I've swapped it maybe a half dozen times and it has performed flawlessly.
By purchasing a separate ECU you would save yourself 10 minutes when you do a swap since you don't have to open up the ECU. Also, with the socket, there is a risk of bending a pin on the socket when you swap.
Dave
'97 1.8TQMS Wett
By purchasing a separate ECU you would save yourself 10 minutes when you do a swap since you don't have to open up the ECU. Also, with the socket, there is a risk of bending a pin on the socket when you swap.
Dave
'97 1.8TQMS Wett
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They tried but decided not to...
Way back in '97 when Wett first started selling the US, they did market the swichable "beta" chip. If I recall, they installed in a few customers but had problems and decided to pull it. I don't remember the specific issues, but only that they did try it.
"rickp" who frequents the S4 board may know the details. He is the brother of Steve Pitts, who was the Prez of Wett USA at the time.
Yes, I'm an oldtimer here!
Dave
'97 1.8TQMS Wett
"rickp" who frequents the S4 board may know the details. He is the brother of Steve Pitts, who was the Prez of Wett USA at the time.
Yes, I'm an oldtimer here!
Dave
'97 1.8TQMS Wett
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