Pictures of why a aftermarket Chip may come loose, and fix...

[Doug904]

Hey guys,

We had a post not to long ago about something like this and I thought since I had my dash out this afternoon I would take some photo's and show why it would come off the rear of the PCM and how to make sure it doesn't.

In this first pic I show the rear of the PCM bay or port from the backside, or behind the dash. You'll see the bridge I speak of, coming down in the middle of the port, there are also small square stops on either side to further ensure the PCM stays put. It is nothing but plastic peice from top to bottom

Rear of PCM port with Bridge...

The second pic shows a SCT multi-position chip installed on the PCM. Then with the PCM fully seated in the port it shows that it is hitting the bridge in the center of the port and that it isn't seated fully against the stops on either side. When you tighten down the nuts on either side on the front of the PCM bay may push it back further and therefore push the chip off the circuit board.

Rear of PCM port with PCM and Chip against bridge...


In this third picture I show simply the rear of the PCM in the port without a chip and how it is fully seated against the stops. Also where the J3 data port comes out as compared to the bridge.

Rear of PCM port with Bridge and PCM without a chip...

Finally I cut the bridge out using a long set of cutters. I did this from the front of the port because I know most of you will not remove your dash just to do this. This can be done with the dash installed, you can even just reach in with a long bar of sorts and probably break it off, it is nothing more then thin peice of plastic. The pcm will not go too far in because of the small square stops on either side of the bridge.

Rear of PCM port with Bridge removed and chip installed. The PCM is fully seated against the rear of the port...


Just thought I would put some pics with the descriptions.

Thanks, Doug.

 

[celly]

Doug, makes a lot of sense to me now. Hopefully when my chip arrives (tomorrow or Friday), I can try out what you mention.

Shoulda got a flasher.

 

[MONMIX]

so this bridge is a bad thing ?

 

[Doug904]

so this bridge is a bad thing ?

Well, it's been known to push the chip off the back of the PCM and this can cause communications errors and weird issues as well as not working at all. If your not having any of these problems then you're good.

Also the bridge can make it where the PCM won't fully seat in the port so if you remove the bridge then it will. It's nothing that has to be done but it is recommended.

Thanks, Doug.

 

[major]

Man thanks for the pictures. Im pretty sure im the guy that posted what you were talking about with the connection issues. I may have to run a tank of premium through and put the chip back in now. If i took off the dash console door could i come anywhere near that hole or is the air duct in the way? So again thanks allot for the post this may fix my problem. Major

Edit Got all excited and ran out to look about the console door deal. Plan a failed lol. Looks like the airbag is in the way.

 

[spindlecone]

Well, it's been known to push the chip off the back of the PCM and this can cause communications errors and weird issues as well as not working at all. If your not having any of these problems then you're good.

Also the bridge can make it where the PCM won't fully seat in the port so if you remove the bridge then it will. It's nothing that has to be done but it is recommended.

Thanks, Doug.

Great info, was an issue with my Apten, bent the prongs, had no problems but is obvious that the potential is real

 

[TarHeel085]

maybe thats why mine dont work, kinda sucks to have a $300 chip just chillen under the dash not doin jack cause of this bridge

 

[Doug904]

You got the wrong idea guy. Remove the PCM and look at it from under the hood in the back of the PCM port, then you can take some small cutters or even a long bar and break it out of the way. You don't have to remove the dash to get to it just the PCM under the hood.

I can take some photo's of one from under the hood if need be but both of my trucks have the bridges removed so it would be an after pic.

Thanks, Doug.

 

[major]

Thats not nessisary i knew what you were talking about i was just curious if i could get access to the back with the dash still on.

 

[celly]

Doug, as you now the chip arrived here today. I took the handle of a hammer, and smacked out the piece you speak of. Was dead easy to do. The chip's in, and now the fun begins! I'm almost waiting for a short cold snap to try out the cold weather testing that caused me so much grief a month or so ago. Anyhow, initial impressions of the tune are very +. I'll post about it in due course. All one has to do is be without a program for a while to realize how great they are.

Thanks again for the most excellent dealings!

Brad