HELP! ECU Chip seems to be soldered?

[jamlid]

Hi all,

I purchased a mild chip from Speedtouch for my E30 325i ('91) but I'm very confused! I have a 380 ECU and received the chip for this model but looking at the ECU, I can't see a raised chip that connects into a socket rather than being soldered to the board!

The chip in the location as per the wiki guide (the one with the white sticker on) looks to be soldered to the board. I gave it a bit of a tug but it didn't want to budge.


Help! What's wrong? I'm worried about levering this chip too hard in case it is solder in, then I'm left without a working car. One interesting thing is the label on the ECU case: Tauschteil. Google translate tells me it means "Echange Part".

Here's some pictures to show what I mean:

Casing:


ECU:




Chip received:


Closeup of other chips:

[Grrrmachine]

I seem to remember Speedtouch's chip-fitting guide also saying "DO NOT EXPOSE CHIP TO DAYLIGHT!" due to the UV

Looks like you'll need another ECU if you want to fit that chip.

[jamlid]

I'm behind double glazed windows with the velux blinds open the tiniest crack. It'll be fine

I just can't understand why I've not seen anyone else have this problem at all?

[Speedtouch]

PM sent.

[jamlid]

Just to add an update, in case anyone comes across this thread with the same issue.. you'll either a new ECU or the steady hand and skill to de-solder the old one and stick a new one in.

It'd be handy if anyone can spot any kind of ID marks on the outside of the ECU that may point to a soldered chip rather than a socket inside, as something to look out for if you're buying a replacement unit?

[Brianmoooore]

Remove the soldered chip and fit a socket for the new one. Not a too difficult job on these old type 0.1" chips if you have any experience with a soldering iron and sucker.
If you don't value the old chip, you can make the job easier by cutting the pins were they exit the body of the chip and unsoldering them one by one.
I wouldn't worry about UV in the average British summer, and there aren't many around who work on electronics in the open air. I've been handling and working with 'chips' ever since they were invented and never damaged one yet, either as a result of static electricity or UV, and have never taken any specific precautions, other than common sense.

[jamlid]

That's a good idea on cutting the old chip off first! I'm worried that when it comes soldering the new one in, I'll end up bridging two pins with messy solder though!

I wonder why it doesn't have the socket like pretty much everyone else's..

[Brianmoooore]

Cutting should ideally be done with something like a Dremmel disc or a very fine saw blade, to avoid pulling on the print.
Invest in a solder sucker (spring loaded syringe) to remove old solder and any bridges you may make with the new.

[Speedtouch]

I suspect that the "Made in Spain" label has something to do with it; most Bosch Motronic ECUs were built in Germany, and being of Teutonic thoroughness, they thoughtfully fitted sockets rather than soldering the EPROM directly to the PCB.

[jamlid]

Ah, that would be it then! Thanks for the help Maurice/Brian.

[votivequagmire]

I've found in such cases it's very handy to have some desolder braid to suck small amounts of solder easier than the gun. It's a cheap addition and worth it's weight. Just press on it with the soldering iron onto the solder you want to remove and it sucks into the wire braiding.