If you go to the dealer and tell him you think you are loosing power as the guy posted, you don't think the dealer is going to put a boost gauge on the car? This is number one thing to do. If they don't do that they will hook up OBDII ,or VAG 1551, and check the boost that way, so no matter what they must check the boost level first. The only way to hide a chip is to buy a second ECU to use for service.<br>I have had my car to four dealers for one thing or another due to who can get me first appointment, all knew my car was chipped none cared. When I did have one problem, that might be ECU related, the service manager did ask me to bring the car in with the "stock" chip condition, as he said, so I am not saying there are not issues, but the addition of a gauge is not the thing to worry about, they will find out it's chipped with or without an after market gauge. He also said he will fix anything on the car even if it's related to chipping as long as the car is "stock" when I bring it ot him.

NT

The point he made was with regards to turbo problems, not an ECU problem. If they are troubleshooting the turbo, they would be unlikely to have any reason to pull the ECU. Even if they did pull the ECU, the would NEVER open the tin-can to see inside it and find the chip on a socket. The tin can is the most 'atomic' of parts which you can swap out for repair through Audi.

Phil,<p>I see what you're saying now, and I have to agree with you. One question though, would the dealer have a record of your ECU serial number? I doubt it, but if they did, they would know something's up. Plus at one of our A4 Club of Vancouver meetings at a local dealer, we were told the ECU will log if you've hit the rev limiter, and more importantly, it will log if the power supply was ever disrupted. It would be kind of hard to explain if they find that there has been a power interruption to the ECU everytime you bring the car to them. It does not seem like it would be a problem for you as none of your dealers seem to care that you normally drive with a raised boost. But what about other dealers?<p>Thanks<p><br>James Wu<br>A4 Club of Vancouver<br>1998 Black/Onyx 1.8tqa (Off to PIR tomorrow)<ul><li><a href="http://avant.extreme.com/va4">A4 Club of Vancouver</a></li></ul>

I think the time will come when all the dealers care about chipped units. No they don't record any numbers from ECU's, the ECU has three relavant markings, one is the part number, one is Bosch's part number and one is date of manufacter.<br>I can't imagine that they are going to the effort of tracking numbers, except through parts department records. If they see the power was closed off to the ECU, and say anything, just tell them you unhooked the battery in the hopes of clearing the computer, this is not going to be seen as some major deception. As for the rev limiter, it is there to protect the motor from over reving, why wougld they get upset that it did it's job? I bet lots of none chipped cars hit the limiter at least one time in the life of a car. My cars ECU was unhooked from power so many times I lost count and it did not show in the ECU printouts at all.

I don't care what kind of problem you have related to the way the car runs,(including the TURBO) if you go to a dealer the ECU comes into play. Every aspect of the way this car runs goes throuh the ECU(ROME). They do not need to open it for it to be a problem. They are replacing ECU's right and left to update software problems. The dealer will not open the Silver box, but they are required to send ALL warranty parts to AUDI AG., and THEY WILL open the box, every box, to see what the problem was. If the box was tampered with, they will turn down the dealers warranty claim, then they must decide what to do. My guess is you will get a phone call from that dealer. Hey think about this, what if? I'm just saying play it safe, learn how dealers work so you can give them what they want(a car they can cover) and you get what you want, a fun car to drive that you can get covered if you need to. I'm not saying do not chip, I'm chipped, but the only way to be totally safe is to have a second ECU. Any other way(socket) is a calculated risk, why is this so hard for some of you to admit? I'm not saying don't take that risk, thats up to you, but understand the risks. If the dealer replaces your socked ECU, you loose it and have to go through the hassles that follow, this has happened to posters on this board, it's really up to you, but what I say is true. I have friends that own VW stores and we have talked about this I am not Guessing on this.

OK, now I get your point! Yes, that's a calculated risk. Personally, I have a chip friendly dealer so in that respect, I'm lucky. But if I blew something that implicated it was due to my chipping, I'd accept the charges. I think everyone should be aware of that risk before they chip. Your point is well taken.<p>Regards,<br>Mikro

Nt

Continuing our discussion from down below. I contacted Ivor AND Clair and while we all agree that there have been software changes:<br>Ivor says that the ecu's are fine all in all, and Clair says that they hardly ever see a failed ecu, although they have sold several to people who were afraid that the dealer would spot their chips.<p>So where are all the failed ecus????