I got an automatic P28 from a guy in a trade today, he needed a manual P75 so we traded straight up. Anyway, the ecu has what looks like a chip installed from the factory. It was my understanding that the large chip above the 28 pin chip had the factory tune. Why would Honda do this? I was told it came from a 1993 Del Sol.

 

I don't think any came like that especially an auto. Post pics

 

Honda did do some factory reprogrammed stuff, but they're labled N instead of A, C, J, 0, etc. They weren't something you'd ever normally find outside of Japan though.

I'm going to say no, but why not post some pics anyway.

 

interesting....
wanna see pictures.

 

pics!

 

I thought it was something someone else did at first, but this is the second one I've seen. I chipped another auto P28 for a guy and it had the same chip soldered in with a copper color sticker on top. All the joints are perfect, factory joints.

Sticker on outside of case:
http://tinypic.com/r/23sjecl/5

Picture of chip. notice the glossy lacquer like finish on the 2nd 74hc373 chip also, like the rest of the chips on the board:
http://tinypic.com/r/1zn73x5/5

Proof it's automatic, if you didn't notice resistors in RP17 and RP18. There are 4 SK5151S high side switches, not just the one for VTEC in IC14:
http://tinypic.com/r/34rjclk/5

Board version 1720-1500:
http://i44.tinypic.com/1zd2a8p.jpg

 

I did a little searching and there are a few other people who have posted about chipped P28s from the factory, apparently 1993 was the only year for this chipped auto P28.

 

That is weird! I've never seen one of those. Also look at J1, it uses a 0Ω resistor as opposed to a piece of wire.

 

wow i am now convinced that there is chipped ecu's from the factory.

 

The way I understand it, they use a 0Ω resistor as opposed to a piece of wire because the machine that places components can grab resistors easier. When I chip ECUs, I just use a leg off a resistor, it looks a little cleaner than a piece of wire. Two little bends with needle nose pliars and place it in with tweezers.

 

That is correct. What I was getting at was that it among a few other things confirms that it was factory chipped. Btw most other companies have some pretty horrible looking jumpers, basically just wire with oversized insulation.

There was never any doubt that factory chipped ECUs existed, but normally the country code is "N"

 

This is true. I've messed around with some electronics and yeah, some things just have pieces of wire linking spots together, or I've seen other chipped ECUs that have pieces of electrical wire for a jumper.

I am still curious why Honda did this. They put out some factory chipped ecus, but why? Did they run out of normal chips? Did they change something and want to be able to revert programs back if necessary?

 

this is nothing new or special to me ive owned/opened at least 250 ecus and about 15-20 were factory chipped . i seen them more common on the 11f0-1500 boards compared to the 1720 but meh same **** the 1720s. ive only seen 1 02D01980-1502 chipped from factory before but it wasnt mine

 

i have a pr4 ecu that looked like that.

 

I know it's not super rare, and even if it was it's of no relevance or significant value. Why did they do that though? Improperly programmed? Made a revision to something?

 

no idea but makes my job easier lol.

 

Oh yeah, same here. Just have to get that cursed chip out. I wish they would have just put a socket in, then it'd be even easier.

 

Guys ... that's funny, I just bought a junkyard P28 (receive it today). Decided I would open it up to make sure the caps all looked OK. Exactly like you've pictured ... except mine is a 95 A/T (P28-A52).

Now, I'm a nuby ... done circuit boards, but never "chipped" a Honda. I keep looking at it, thinking I know that's where the board is supposed to be blank, but it's not. Then, I'm thinking some kid's chipped it in it's 20yr history ... but I've seen enough circuits, and this is definitely factory (especially the lacquer perfectly over top!).

Anyhow ... it's an oddity, and not a very nice trick to play on somebody that doesn't know all they're look at:-)

P.S. I bought the ECU to swap the board out and sell with a PR4 case. Is there a good way to get the lacquer out of the phillips screws? Acetone, maybe?

Take care, Neal

 

Oh yeah ... quick question, since it seems to have all the other components, I think all I need to "chip" it would be a ZIF socket, instead of a "chipping kit"?