ECU destruction risk with new AUDI diagnostics
09-17-2008, 12:46 PM
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ECU destruction risk with new AUDI diagnostics
I just went in to dealer for service with a "check engine" light on my 01 B5 S4 -- had just tried 87 Octane for first time to save pennies and maybe got a knock sensor.
The service tech guy says in the last week or so (!) they were warned there is a new code reader they are using -- going to use full time -- for diagnostics, and it will "burn out any non-OEM ECU" that is installed (I mentioned non-OEM ECU because I am off warranty and then some and figured a OEM-ECU would run a program that can better handle 87 Octane).
It strikes me that this is/may be similar to what the cable companies did for illegal cable boxes (send pulse to kill the illegal chip) except that I OWN my Audi legally -- and the chip -- and the factory does not own it nor should it be able to destroy my ECU!
Has anyone else heard anything and is this a real risk. The second question would be was this a deliberate reengineering of the code readers to destroy non-OEM ECUs and if so, why is the factory so against these chips?
My AUDI has definitely performed better under the non-OEM chip.
On the plus side, the dealership said they would not diagnose my check engine light if it would destroy the ECU...thx guys for the help.
Hoping that the 87 Octane triggered a knock sensor!
This is either nothing or I am at the front end of a major new twist on non-OEM ECUs.
Now a rational thinker would say: why can't the dealership continue to use the old diagnostic equipment that will not blow a non-OEM ECU? Isn't this a class-action lawsuit waiting to happen? Am I renting my car from the factory, or do I own it. If I choose to replace the Bose stereo, can they create a tool to short out my non-OEM radio, too?
The service tech guy says in the last week or so (!) they were warned there is a new code reader they are using -- going to use full time -- for diagnostics, and it will "burn out any non-OEM ECU" that is installed (I mentioned non-OEM ECU because I am off warranty and then some and figured a OEM-ECU would run a program that can better handle 87 Octane).
It strikes me that this is/may be similar to what the cable companies did for illegal cable boxes (send pulse to kill the illegal chip) except that I OWN my Audi legally -- and the chip -- and the factory does not own it nor should it be able to destroy my ECU!
Has anyone else heard anything and is this a real risk. The second question would be was this a deliberate reengineering of the code readers to destroy non-OEM ECUs and if so, why is the factory so against these chips?
My AUDI has definitely performed better under the non-OEM chip.
On the plus side, the dealership said they would not diagnose my check engine light if it would destroy the ECU...thx guys for the help.
Hoping that the 87 Octane triggered a knock sensor!
This is either nothing or I am at the front end of a major new twist on non-OEM ECUs.
Now a rational thinker would say: why can't the dealership continue to use the old diagnostic equipment that will not blow a non-OEM ECU? Isn't this a class-action lawsuit waiting to happen? Am I renting my car from the factory, or do I own it. If I choose to replace the Bose stereo, can they create a tool to short out my non-OEM radio, too?
09-17-2008, 01:35 PM
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Sounds like bull****
theres nothing different hardware wise for most "chipped ecus"...its just recorded onto oem hardware...that said, maybe they mean that its maybe messing with the new written values..
how that would not mess with normal data values is beyond me
how that would not mess with normal data values is beyond me
