I would like to assure everyone that this is not what I intended for my first post. Unfortunatly, I have a slight problem. I just purchased a Unichip from Webb and after installation I found that the car would not start. I turned the key and......nada. I went back I checked everything three more times and still nothing. I have the most recent version of the Unichip and was wondering if anyone else has had the same issues and if so I am curious about how to remedy the situation. At this point my only guess is that the unit was never programmed to begin with. Anyway, any suggestions would be welcome. The site rules by the way.

Boyd

 

Did you disconnect the battery while you connected the Unichip? If not I suggest you pull the battery for a few. Although this usually isn't in the instructions it seems to help.

 

I also purchased a Unichip from WMS and the programming it arrived with caused some error codes that fasinated the BMWNA guys so much that they wanted to see the car and the Unichip that was producing the codes.

Long story short, I met up with Jack from Unichip at the Monterey Laguna Seca Cooper weekend and he had me send the entire boxed unit back to Unichip. Josh checked it out and sent me a reprogrammed unit that has really worked amazingly (if that's a word).

This isn't a slam on WMS, just coincidence I suppose. The Unichip is a great tool if programmed properly. I know Randy has said that you can have free re-programming by just sending the actual chip unit back to WMS. I'm sure he'd be glad to help you out. Call Vicky at WMS - she keeps him working in the right direction (I believe that is his wife).

Paul

 

Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to disconect the battery and if that doesn't work I'll just send it back.

 

I also purchased my unichip from Randy. I did not have code errors or 'no start' problems, but am suffering a flat spot. Have removed unichip for the moment and am working with Josh at unichip. I have not confrimed with Randy, but I do not believe that all unichips supplied by him have his maps in, if any. When I purchased mine, it came direct from unichip, although I ordered from WMS. I would suspect most maps are unichip's generic ones! When I wanted a re-program a few months ago, Randy had dissappeared at that time, so I went to my local unichip programmer.

What I am discovering, which concerns me, is because of the variance in the MCS engine, unichip say their generic programs may not work and a dyno custom map would need to be done, at my expense! I don't remember that being stated in the sales literature or WMS website....where was the bit that said 'Unichip maps may not work with all cars'? Anyway, so far, unichip have been helpful and suggested some other things to try, which I will. With the unit removed, the car is going great.

Randy, any help here?

 

With the as-delivered Unichip "custom map", mine had a huge stumble/flat spot at 3200 and the area around it, say 3000-3600 rpms.

On the dyno, it showed up as a 9.5-1 afr! Never really noticed it pre-Unichip, so I think Unichip must be attemping to compensate for the lean condition at that point that DMH speaks of.

Frankly, my car was almost undriveable with the so-called modified MCS map.

And it took a long time to finally get it right.

My experience with Unichip plug 'n play is decidedly different than what's advertised in some quarters.

Having said all that, it runs strong and smooth today.

 

So what was the fix in the end?

 

Three separate visits to the dyno, plus fine tuning with driving/laptop.

To be fair to the tuner, each time I was in the tuner's city, my available time was short because I was there on other business.

Each time we got it better and better, and pretty much nailed it on the third visit, mostly driving around and using the laptop.

But I would have NEVER considered paying for a Unichip and then paying for three subsequent sessions if I had known up front.

HUGE learning curve on that one.

 

I can almost garuntee you that the module was not mapped. That same problem happened many times during my time at Webb. The local distributor for Randy is really bad about that. Send the module back to get remapped .

The battery disconnect wont make a difference.
-Brian

 

Although I bought mine from another well-known dealer, I know for a fact that he bought it at a distributor, becase he called me from their front counter!

And more than likely, that's what I got as well.

Because it wasn't even close to where we ended up, especially in the 3000-3600 rpm range.

 

Agree 100%, if it's like mine was.

 

I have had extremely good luck dealing with Jack, Joe and Josh at Unichip......

Their new product the "Flux" eventually will let you tune A/F yourself if you have the knowledge and skill....

This is like any good tool.... you can make a mess if poorly applied ..... the ability to improve is equal to to the abilty to screw it up.

 

So have I, Josh really helped when I sent him my WMS Unichip that had apparently "slipped through the cracks" and wasn't mapped either upon shipment.

Josh is a genius when it comes to this stuff, ask for him if you can at Unichip.

Paul

 

If it's truly DIY, I'd bet on more messes. And they could be catastrophic.

Hope they have an excellent waiver clause.

 

We actually were part of the development at Unichip and were there for the first 8 or so maps we built together. That's why the unit can come straight from Unichip and hav our map on the unit. We have since done more of our own locally, and I believe we are up to 15 or so maps.

That said, there are times when the units leave our warehouse (which is here in Denver) without maps. I apologize to anyone tht happens to! If there i an issu with the unit, we will take care of it. Unichip works great with us to resolve issues as well, and Josh is indeed a great guy.

I hope that helps - let me know if there is anything else I can do to help (Vicky is my wife by the way).

UKXPAT - check your WMSforum PM.

Paul - glad you got it taken care of, Vicky is definitely straightening thing out here!

Boyd - I can take care of you straight away, just send the whole unit back here.

Thanks!
Randy

 

Thanks Randy. Will return the unit for re-programming as discussed. Looking forward to getting it back in the car!

Toby - UKXPAT