Tms Chip Install - BMW Forum

93 325i · 01-31-2005, 10:22 AM

Ok, so I installed the TMS chip this weekend. Which BTW totally kicks a$$! From 3000K to 6000K she screams..Gave my GF a heart attack, lol..but anyway when i was bending those metal tabs back in place on the ECU cover, all of them snapped except for one. I tightened the torx bolts good and tight and it seems to be secure. Is there any danger here of the ecu getting damaged?

komodo · 01-31-2005, 10:27 AM

Metal tabs.... I'm not following what you mean. Have any pics?

93 325i · 01-31-2005, 12:24 PM

Anyone with an OBD I setup should know what im talking about. To install the chip into the ecu I had to bend back these metal tabs on the ECU cover, then undo the 4 torx bolts to get at the inside of the ECU. These metal tabs were weak as hell and when I when to crimp them back down with pliers they snapped like twigs. I assume I will be okay with just the torx bolts but was wondering if this happened to anyone else?

bigred318 · 01-31-2005, 01:04 PM

hasnt personally happened to me, and i havent heard of it happening, but im getting ready to install a chip so i guess its a good thing to look out for. Thanks

David

93 325i · 01-31-2005, 02:09 PM

Yea, the installation is a snap. A little tip: Once you turn the ECU over and bend back the tabs, flip the ECU back over and undo the 4 torx bolts on the side of the ECU label. The directions I had didn't specify this and I undone the torx bolts on the worng side at first..

culkj · 01-31-2005, 02:22 PM

Breaking the tabs is completely normal. particularly if you open the ECU to check if there is a sticker on the chip, and then again to install the performance chip. Absolutely no damage results to the ECU.

93 325i · 01-31-2005, 02:27 PM

Thats what I wanted to hear, thanks.. It is pretty much unaviodable as the metal tabs are extremely brittle

bigred318 · 01-31-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 93 325i@Jan 31 2005, 02:27 PM
Thats what I wanted to hear, thanks.. It is pretty much unaviodable as the metal tabs are extremely brittle

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yeah kind of a design flaw but not really, its like a paper clip, breaks after a few times of bending it

David

Darkmage · 01-31-2005, 04:52 PM

I got a TMS chip and didnt install it yet.

What are these torx bolts? Do I need a special tool for this? Was the tool supposed to come with the chip, or can I buy it somewhere else

93 325i · 01-31-2005, 05:42 PM

They are similar to allen head bolts. I don't know the size you need but it's pretty small. You can prolly use a screwdriver if all else fails, but be careful not to strip them.