|
Jim Grant's Tech Tips
‘99 Jeep, Computer Chips
Q: Is there a computer chip in my ’99 Jeep?
A:
First, let’s make sure everyone understands that there is not a vehicle, passenger car or truck sold today in the US that doesn’t have a computer. In most vehicles there is a minimum of 2 computers. Your ’99 Jeep is no exception and likely has at least 4 computers networked together, yes, networked. With all of that computer type stuff, you can bet there’s a bunch of computer chips inside of those magic boxes. If you’re asking because you want to install a replacement chip, it doesn’t happen that way. If the computer has an internal problem, it is replaced. If you’re looking to go with a high performance program, then you install another computer (which could be called a chip) right at the computer for the engine. I prefer calling it a module. This module plugs right into the computer and the wiring to the computer is plugged into the module. The program in the module modifies information to the engine computer to alter its performance characteristics There are software programs with hardware available that will even allow someone to reprogram the vehicle’s computer chips at the computer’s diagnostic connector. Chips? Plenty of them! They go bad, throw them away. To go faster, reprogram.
|
|