Chip Install, How To?

[all2kool]

So I bought a chip to enhance the performance of my 525i. I know it goes in the ECU, but how do you open that damn box? Do I need a special tool? It also looks as though I need to pry some tabs? Is this right?

[Gman]

Here is a good site with Chip install and lot of E34 repair tips.
BTW: EAT Chips are the best!

So I bought a chip to enhance the performance of my 525i. I know it goes in the ECU, but how do you open that damn box? Do I need a special tool? It also looks as though I need to pry some tabs? Is this right?

[632 Regal]

you have to bust the **** outta the tabs (they will break anyways so save some bad feelings) take the case off the top, insert a screwdriver on the side on the plug deal and another on the other side and squeeze then till you can pull the board back. You probably wont be able to cause the fisrt couple times you do this is sucks. Anyways you pull the board up in the back and pull it back outta the plug and then go in and replace the chip. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU REFERENCE the tab, notch, dot or whatever cause in you put it in backwards it isnt a good thing!.

Hope this in some way helps.

Brunos site tells the same thing but this is my take on things.

[Robin-535im]

IIRC - the 8 cyl has the 2-board ECU, which can be a PITA to work with.

The M30 ECU box is made of aluminum, and the tabs can be gently prised apart then bent back into shape almost like new. Yours may be like that (if you're lucky!)

I think the earlier ECU is easier to dig into than the later ones perhaps. Mine was a piece of cake. Just be sure to unplug the battery or your airbag light will stay on.

- Robin

[winfred]

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/chip.htm

[all2kool]

What a PITA! No matter how hard I tried, the top board would not come off. Tabs? Broke them off rather early. I did manage to change the chip without separating the boards - and got the chip cover back on. 525 seems peppier now.

[632 Regal]

after the 4th or 5th time its pretty broken in and I can change a chip in 5 minutes from the time I pop the hood.

[Dick Schneiders]

over two days (really!!) before I finally got the boards separated in my 1991 525i. I did not know there was any way to change the chips without getting the boards apart.

What a PITA! No matter how hard I tried, the top board would not come off. Tabs? Broke them off rather early. I did manage to change the chip without separating the boards - and got the chip cover back on. 525 seems peppier now.

[632 Regal]

I couldnt get the top board to pull out of the plug, so I just lifted the rearward part of the board up as far as it would go. Then I went in with a tiny screwdriver to lift the old chip up and then fished the new chip in with hemostats (roach clip) and pressed it down carefully. It is much easier after you break all the clips and it almost falls apart.

[all2kool]

Thanks guys - I don't feel so bad now knowing that others were unable to separate the boards. Once you spread the boards apart to the max, putting the chip in wasn't really that hard.