today, we will install a chip that will transform your bland vr6 into something fun. as with my other instructions, these instructions are applicable for MY 1996 - if your car has fifteen of everything that i tell you to look for because your car was made on tuesday instead of friday, dont bug me. this is a FYI only. though i would be more than happy to answer any questions about unclear instructions. if you have a new chip, or you know what one is, then you also know that you can kill your computer by installing/ trying to install one. SO BE CAREFUL. i have to give you the standard suggestion of how to ground yourself while dealing with your computer and its chip. so ground yourself. by following my instructions you agree not to blame/sue/ harass me if you kill your car. this install isnt a hard thing to do, but at the same time, there is not much worse that you could do to your car than fry your computer. what you will need: a chip (i have a garrett chip and it is AWESOME.) small and large phillips-head screwdriver t10 or t15 torx screwdriver PLCC socket chip remover - or small pick 10mm wrench - or pliers how long it will take: depending on how good you are, 15-40 minutes. open your hood. standing in front of the car, looking at the passenger side windshield, there is a piece of plastic that touches the windshield with four plastic phillips head screws holding it in place.
removing these is one of the most difficult parts of the
install. unscrew them. then keep unscrewing them. then
keep unscrewing them. then they should pull out. dont
spend too much time pulling on them or you will strip them.
if they dont pop out, then keep unscrewing. this is
difficult only because they arent really screws. well, they
are.. you will see. to help, grab a fork and put the tongs
just under the edge of the screw. gently apply pressure
and unscrew (actually, if you do it just right, you dont
even need to unscrew. yes, its confusing, and yes, its
quite lame.)
once removed, then pull gently pull up the weather sealer.
you should only have to pull up half of it. then slide the
little slide-lock thing connecting the two halves of the rain
gutters (that piece of plastic on the left side that you just
took the screws out of, and its mirror on the other side of
the car.. kinda). it should slide to the left. gently pull
up the left panel and remove. the far left side (under the
hinge of the hood) might stick a little. just be careful and
you will get it out. put aside.
looking in the hole that you just created, you will something
like this:
(the thing with the big bunch of wrapped wires running into
it on the right is obviously the computer.)
after grounding yourself, remove the two bolts (actually,
one is a screw and one is a nut). put aside.
unclip the wire bundle from the frame. gently pick up the
computer and move it to the left (passenger side). against
the fire wall, there is a plug that connects the computer to
the wall. sliding the computer gently to the side and pulling
away from the wall will free the computer.
now its time to free the computer so you can take it apart.
looking at the computer like this:
you need to detach the wires from the computer. orient
yourself so that you recognize this picture.
gently (or roughly, if it is being difficult) move the odd
shaped piece of plastic. it should slide out a little and
stop. then slide it a little more and you should hear a
little click or some kind of detaching sound and the wires
plug should just pull away from the computer.
take the computer to a table or a flat clean area, because
you have to remove a bunch of screws and open the thing up.
still grounded, you will now need to remove six screws
(4 torx and two phillips):
after this is done, gently slide the end with the plug away
from the case. you might need to gently pry the end to loosen
the case.
looking at the board like this you will find see the chip in
the upper right hand corner.
take care to look closely at the top of the chip. you should
see an edge. make a note of its orientation, because you have
to put your new chip in the exact same way.
if you look closely, you will see that the chip is basically
square. one corner is a little flatter than the others. if
you look closely at the chip socket, you will notice a little
arrow in that some corner. these two go together.
using your chip remover, or pick, or something thin and small
(perhaps a bent out paper clip?) GENTLY remove the chip. put
it in a SAFE PLACE. take your new chip and GENTLY put it in
the same way the old one was (with the edge facing the same
way). it should sit within its seat flush with its
surroundings like the old one did. done.
gently pick up the computer board and slide it back into the
case the exact same way you removed it (the face of my board
was facing the same way as the bosch logo on the case).
firmly replace all six screws.
now its time to put your computer back in the car. still
grounded, gently push the plug back in place. slide the odd
shaped plastic lock back towards the plug, thus locking it in
place. gently move the computer back into the hole, making
sure you put the plug of the frame into the firewall first.
tighten the nut and screw.
(i would pause for a moment and try to start your car, just
to make sure..)
put the wire bundle back into the clips against the frame.
gently put the plastic tray back in place, making sure to
slide the narrow left side in first. this can be tough, so
take your time. make sure that the lip against the windshield
is not folded under, allowing rain and whatever to get in.
insert those stupid plastic screws. make sure that the plastic
tray is tight and held firmly in place. slide the "lock" back
so that the two sides are connected to each other. gently
replace the weather stripping over the metal lip. it should
fit firmly and not move.
close your hood.
enjoy your new chip, and drive safe.
if your car doesnt start, then walk yourself back through the
steps and make sure that the chip was installed in the exact
same way the previous one was.
if your car still doesnt start.. call one of your computer
friends and have them come over and go through all the motions.
if your car still doesnt start.. it isnt my fault, so dont
blame me.
if you would like to get a swell garret chip, then go here:
http://www.giacusa.com/
or mail them at: Sales@GIACusa.com
garrett is a great guy and answered ALL my questions. (and
no, i am not getting any kickbacks for suggesting his chip.)
(and yes, i realize that the artwork sucks.)
be well, go well..