Easy question for everyone here I'm sure...

[pkschul]

I've owned my GN for over a year, but I've never swapped out a chip. I bought an emissions chip last year and would like to put it in for testing this year. Could someone please provide details about how to swap a chip? I'm sure it's simple but I really don't want to screw anything up. Any special precautions?
Thanks.

 

[Turbo6inKY]

pop the hood, unplug the orange wire coming from the battery. That's the ECU power lead.

Remove the passenger side kick panel, pull the computer out. You don't have to disconnect the wiring harness.

Remove the two 1/4" screws on the small access panel. Pop it off with a screwdriver.

Gently pry the old chip out, push the new chip in.

put it all back together and go get tested.

 

[V6POWER]

When putting chip back in be sure the notch is facing to the right.

 

[dyermullet]

Originally posted by Look Quick
When putting chip back in be sure the notch is facing to the right.

I never knew that. What happens if I have it in backwards? I have been having some problems lately and I will have to go check whichway I put the chip in.

Scott

 

[bwallace]

Make sure you discharge any static that may have built up in your body. Sound funny but it is more common than you think.

 

[BuickMike]

The chip will only go in one way.

 

[V6POWER]

By putting it in with the notch on the right side, you will save the chance of bending pins because you are trying to put it in incorrectly if the notch is on the left.

 

[dyermullet]

Well then I must have been lucky everytime I have changed my chip. I never knew there was a correct way. If it wasn't raining i would go and check it right now.

Scott

 

[Renthorin]

BuickMike is correct, chips only go in one way. There are more pins on one side than the other side so you can not put it in wrong.

 

[dyermullet]

Originally posted by Renthorin
BuickMike is correct, chips only go in one way. There are more pins on one side than the other side so you can not put it in wrong.

Ok. The chips always went in easy I never had to force them. But now I am curious to make sure I don't have a bent pin or something.

Scott

 

[strikeeagle]

The chip can only be installed one way. Look at the socket, then turn the chip over and look at the bottom, where the pins are. You'll see what I mean.

It's important to place the chip in the socket very carefully before pressing it in place. You don't want to bend the tiny pins, which are quite fragile. If you do you'll get oddbacll error codes.

Also a good idea to ground yourself on something metal before you pick up the ECM or chip, to discharge any static electricity...