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How do I change the chip?

720 views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  it001 
#1 ·
A friend just gave me his old superchip which he doesn't need anymore because he's sold his car. And since it's free I'm going to give it a try.

1) Where is the ECU on the Astra Mk3 GSI? How do I get to it?

2) What's the procedure for changing the chip? Do I need to disconnect the battery first?

3) Is there anything I should/should not do?

4) I heard that not all the Mk3 GSIs come with the exact same ECU. Is it true that there are 3 versions of ECU that the car could have come with. Will this chip work on all 3 versions?
 
#9 ·
I managed to find the ECU. It's in the drivers side footwell. You need special screwdrivers to take out the interior panels, the screws used aren't allen key, flathead or crossheads.

Disconnect the battery.

Next you need a socket set to take of a couple of nuts. The one further into the footwell is almost impossible to reach so that took a bit of time. Push aside the whole bunch of electrical bits and the ECU is slotted on top of that. Remove the screw that holds it up and slide the ECU down. The loom is short so it'll take a little bit of fiddling around to get the ECU out.

Next you've to to remove the loom that connects to the ECU. Do not remove the crosshead screw on the connector of the loom, just flip up the metal looking catch and the hole thing comes off. Then you can work on getting the ECU open - use a flathead screwdriver/kitchen knife. Once it's opened you'll notice that there are two circuit boards sandwiched together. There are two yellow looking posts/clips which need to be released. And then the circuit board on the top can be slid out. This bit is quite tricky, the top circuit board needs to be pulled in a direction away from where the loom was attached. You'll need to use a flat head screwdriver to release some catches on where the loom was connected.

Once the two circuit boards are seperated, you'll see the chip. There are a few chips. The one that is covered in a plastic holder and not soldered into the board is the one you'll be changing. There's a notch on the chip, make sure you remember which side it was on so that you know which way to plug it back in again. Use a small screw driver (the type for fixing your spectacles) to release the plastic holder/cover, and pry the chip out very carefully. Make sure you try not to bend the legs on the chip. Get your new chip and slot it in. Close up the ECU. Connect the loom. Reconnect the battery and try to start the engine.

And yes there are a few different ECUs, the superchip my friend gave me had too many legs and didn't fit. And the other one he gave me fitted but the engine couldn't fire up. So I'm back to the stock chip now.
 
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