Unichip Problem!

1.8-liter VVTL-i (2ZZ-GE) and VVT-i (1ZZ-FE) engine, transmission, exhaust, intake, and performance tuning discussions
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tcam
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Unichip Problem!

Post by tcam »

So lately I have been noticing that my Vibe has been running extremely rich. And I started to think that if I switch the Unichip back to mapA, it might even out the AFratio. So when I try to swtich from mapB to mapA, and I start the car up, the light stays illuminated. I then turn the car back off and try switching it back, and no matter what I do, the light stays illuminated. Next I tried resetting the ECU by turning the Unichip off and letting it sit for 10minutes, but that didn't do anything.So, am I stuck on mapB? why won't the light turn off??
BlueCrush
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Re: Unichip Problem! (tcam)

Post by BlueCrush »

Was the light off when you first had the Unichip set to map A?I would try disconnecting the battery set the switch to Map A. Then reconnect the battery to see it that will turn it off.
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tcam
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Re: Unichip Problem! (BlueCrush)

Post by tcam »

ahh, that's a good idea. I will try that
BlueCrush
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Re: Unichip Problem! (tcam)

Post by BlueCrush »

If you still have problems with it, I would contact Unichip directly to speak to one of their technicians. They may just have you return your unit to exchange it for a new one since you just got it.
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tcam
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Re: Unichip Problem! (BlueCrush)

Post by tcam »

hmmm, didn't do anything. do u think i should just try driving around for a bit and see if it turns off on its own?
tcam
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Re: Unichip Problem! (tcam)

Post by tcam »

BC, I just sent an e-mail to the Unichip website explaining everything. I hope they are qucik to respond
BlueCrush
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Re: Unichip Problem! (tcam)

Post by BlueCrush »

If you can call them and try to speak to Joe Pucciarelli. He is the man to get a hold of to get things done if no one gets back to you via e-mail. Good Luck!
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tcam
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Re: Unichip Problem! (BlueCrush)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »If you can call them and try to speak to Joe Pucciarelli. He is the man to get a hold of to get things done if no one gets back to you via e-mail. Good Luck!just called them, and left a voice-mail for Joe. now I just have to wait till Monday. thanks a ton though BC
BlueCrush
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Re: Unichip Problem! (tcam)

Post by BlueCrush »

No Problem. Let me know what happens.
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tcam
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Re: Unichip Problem! (BlueCrush)

Post by tcam »

oooooo s*** i just realized I didn't leave my phone number in the message for Joe lol, guess I'm calling him back
goodvibe
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Post by goodvibe »

I don't think that the LED is in a feedback loop. It's either on or off. The 2 maps have the exact same A/F ratio so switching wouldn't have helped anyway. The diff is more advance. I don't like that your you seem to have 2 problems with it. It's been too long since I've had mine so I'm no longer sure but is there a second switch or intermitant switch that should be in the off position before you change maps for it to take?
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
AKLGT
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Post by AKLGT »

same here. i can't remember what or if the light was ever on when i was running mine. sorry, can't help you. And i don't know what map Phil is running on his. it'll be coming off the car in about a month anyways.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
tcam
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Re: (AKLGT)

Post by tcam »

yeah, I'm aware of the second switch and have fiddled with them both a lot. I'm not getting any results
Lancer
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Re: Unichip Problem! (tcam)

Post by Lancer »

How long have you had your unichip? If it's new, then you have to let the car's ecu learn to work with the unichip. It takes a few days of driving.My light was always on. It was for the power for the unichip. The other switch was for the 2 maps. It should be labled what the switches are.Good luck with the tech support! I've been trying for the last 2 1/2 weeks trying to get them to understand the part that I need to replace that went bad. They sent me a n/a PnP harness instead of the loom for the unichip and turbo modual. They just don't get it for some reason?
18" Enkei's & Kumho Ecsta's-------UNICHIP Eibach Sport springs----------Morroso oil pan Injen CAI & Oil cap----------Stage 2 FI cams Custom Exhaust-----------TRD Supercharger AEM alt. pulley -------JSP Carbon Fiber hood 380cc injectors----DC Sports ceramic header
goodvibe
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Post by goodvibe »

Must be somebody else with a chip that can verify the light on bit. I wish I could remember.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
AKLGT
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Post by AKLGT »

ok, yes. the light should be on because the unichip is on. if it's off, the light would be off. i remember doing an experiment w/ mine way back. i turned off the unichip and my CEL came back on (from the CAI). as soon as i turned it back on, drove for 3 drive cycles, the CEL went away again.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
DavidPIL
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Re:

Post by DavidPIL »

ok, now I'm confused. With mine, which is Goodvibe's old chip, the light is on when I switch to "B" Map and off when I switch to "A" Map. The ON/OFF switch has no light attached. With mine being one of the original ones, would mine be that much different? And if not, could it somehow be mis-labeled since the label is a sticker anyway? I have been plagued with the dreaded P0420 code since getting the new exhaust. The ON/OFF switch does reset the MIL but I'm also changing the A/B switch as well trying to find a combination that doesn't throw the CEL. Dave
AKLGT
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Post by AKLGT »

i think yours is mislabeled. I had one of the originals too. the light should indicate the chip being turned on. the other is for map A/B.
AKLGT1998 Subaru 2.5RS
goodvibe
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Post by goodvibe »

I always used it in the light on position. No wonder it felt that much better in B. Sounds like you need a map change with the exhaust, David. These cars sure are are touchy.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
DavidPIL
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Re: (goodvibe)

Post by DavidPIL »

Son of a...hmmm, I'm still confused since I noticed a major improvement when I originally installed the chip. Actually got some wheel spin when I never got that before. Maybe it was just the reset that did it.Yeah, Goodvibe... The plan is to change out the spark plugs and maybe change out the post-cat O2 sensor then head up to Naperville for a custom tuning when the weather gets a bit better. So, the switch with the light attached is the ON/OFF, not the A/B. Man, I feel so stupid. With the way the tags are now, then in the ON position, I get the CEL after 150 miles or so and when in the OFF position, the CEL is on from the start.ugh!Thanks though!Dave
Lancer
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Re: (DavidPIL)

Post by Lancer »

That's how mine was, if I remember right.I happened to get a call last night from Aaron @ Unichip so I asked him about the light and switches.My 'new' PnP harnes switches are labled 'ECU Power' and the other switch is not really labled, but IS the one with the LED light. If you switch THAT one to 'I', That is the performance on. If you switch it to 'O', that is performance off.Since your's is newer, I'm assuming that this is the 'new' standard of operation.My light is also NOT working (I think you jinxed me! ). Aaron said that it wont affect how the PnP or Unichip work. It's just an indicator light.Also, your CEL (0420) is for poor emmisions reading from your second O2 sensor. You have a bad catalytic converter. I get that all the time, too. But it's because I don't have a cat. anymore. Hope that clears some things up for you. Sorry for the confusion!!tcam, what makes you say that your running rich?
18" Enkei's & Kumho Ecsta's-------UNICHIP Eibach Sport springs----------Morroso oil pan Injen CAI & Oil cap----------Stage 2 FI cams Custom Exhaust-----------TRD Supercharger AEM alt. pulley -------JSP Carbon Fiber hood 380cc injectors----DC Sports ceramic header
DavidPIL
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Re:

Post by DavidPIL »

Hey... Last night I did a check on what switch did what. I do believe that mine are marked correctly. The light being for the A/B selector, not the ON/OFF. With it in the marked OFF position, performance was sluggish and the CEL was on from the start. Swithed it to ON, started it up and it was fine and the CEL was off (for now at least).Definitely believe Lancer is right with this particular harness and switch config.Dave
goodvibe
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Post by goodvibe »

Glad to know that what I got from it were the correct results. I'd hate to think that my views were biased by a mismarked switch.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
tcam
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Re: (goodvibe)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by Lancer »That's how mine was, if I remember right.I happened to get a call last night from Aaron @ Unichip so I asked him about the light and switches.My 'new' PnP harnes switches are labled 'ECU Power' and the other switch is not really labled, but IS the one with the LED light. If you switch THAT one to 'I', That is the performance on. If you switch it to 'O', that is performance off.Since your's is newer, I'm assuming that this is the 'new' standard of operation.My light is also NOT working (I think you jinxed me! ). Aaron said that it wont affect how the PnP or Unichip work. It's just an indicator light.Also, your CEL (0420) is for poor emmisions reading from your second O2 sensor. You have a bad catalytic converter. I get that all the time, too. But it's because I don't have a cat. anymore. Hope that clears some things up for you. Sorry for the confusion!!tcam, what makes you say that your running rich? so r u saying that the maps will still change by the flick of the switch? it's just the indicator light that's busted? i'm runninh rich cuz i'm leaking fuel out the exhaust and have super thick smoke until the car completely heats up.
goodvibe
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Post by goodvibe »

Sounds like you should just disconnect it and see what happens. I'd change the oil too. It's probably pretty contaminated from unburnt fuel getting past the rings.
Vibe GT, TRD springs, Progress bar, STB, Unichip, Borbet E 16x7.5, 225/50 Bridgestone RE750, beefed up grounds and battery bypass capacitors(had em laying around)
tcam
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Re: (goodvibe)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by goodvibe »Sounds like you should just disconnect it and see what happens. I'd change the oil too. It's probably pretty contaminated from unburnt fuel getting past the rings.urgh i really don't wanna have to take it out lol, i'm gonna give it a bit longer
Lancer
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Re: (tcam)

Post by Lancer »

With the indicator light, yeah. It's just that. If it's broken, it wont have any effect on the rest of the harness. Leaking fuel out the tail pipe!?You sure it's not just dirty water condensation? If your really leaking fuel out the end, then I don't think your car would be running very well. Try collecting a little and lighting it with a match, see if it burns (or put it in a small glass of real fuel to see if it collects on the bottem of the glass). You'd have like a cylinder not working and you'd really notice that. Unichip maps do add a little more fuel to go with the timing (I'm tired and can't think if it's advanced or retarded). But the maps are done that way to make more power.And running really rich during a cold start and warm up is totally normal for any car.I should take a picture or vid of my car and show you guys what a really rich running car looks like. That's due to a poor tune.
18" Enkei's & Kumho Ecsta's-------UNICHIP Eibach Sport springs----------Morroso oil pan Injen CAI & Oil cap----------Stage 2 FI cams Custom Exhaust-----------TRD Supercharger AEM alt. pulley -------JSP Carbon Fiber hood 380cc injectors----DC Sports ceramic header
kevera
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Re: (Lancer)

Post by kevera »

This might be a stupid question but,how was your chip setup.Do you have a CAI and exhaust,are they installed.I remember you said a while ago that not everything that the chip mapped for was installed.
June '07 VOTM Sept '07 MOTM HCVO /HCMO The Red Devil
tcam
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Re: (kevera)

Post by tcam »

Lancer, thanks for that info. That relieves a lot of my stress Quote, originally posted by kevera »This might be a stupid question but,how was your chip setup.Do you have a CAI and exhaust,are they installed.I remember you said a while ago that not everything the was chip mapped for was installed.Current mods:Short Ram Air Intake, Cat-Back Exhaust, Ported Header, Ignition Amplifier, Extra Ground Wires.Soon-to-happen Mods:Bored Throttle Body with Port Matched Intake Manifold.Unichip was mapped for CAI, Exhaust, Header. So I plan to get it professionally tuned when I have completed my last couple performance mods
kevera
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Re: (tcam)

Post by kevera »

So,it's just the throttle-body that's not installed yet.
June '07 VOTM Sept '07 MOTM HCVO /HCMO The Red Devil
tcam
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Re: (kevera)

Post by tcam »

Quote, originally posted by kevera »So,it's just the throttle-body that's not installed yet.yeah, pretty much
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