Hi, I'm new to the Audi world. I'm buying myself a 2002Audi A4 1.8T Quattro within the next two days.The seller is a woman and the previous owner had done some performance modifications to the car. She claims that the other owner had upgraded the ECU to a 'tri-stage chip'. My question is: how can I tell what type of chip is in the car. I am pretty sure that it does have a chip because the car boosts at almost 20 psi when you get on it (there is an aftermarket boost gauge installed).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I bump this question cause I have a 99.5 and the guy i got it from got alot of work done from AWE tuning since its kinda local.. and he said its got an ECU upgrade but doesn't have a FMIC... So how do we go about checking the ECU

 

see if she can dig up the previous owners contact info so you can find out. There MAY be a sticker on the ecu that says which flash it is but its highly unlikely for an 02+ because the chip/flash is done through the OBD port and there is no need to touch the ecu. Tri-stage sounds like there are 3 different programs to choose from (stock, chipped, valet for example) if the switching between programs is done by using the cruise control buttons then its APR, if you have to hook something up to the OBD port its either GIAC or REVO.

 

If AWE had anything to do with it, you probably have GIAC. Its more likely that you would have a sticker on the ECU since they had to physicaly solder in the chip in your ecu, wether it be GIAC or APR. You could just call AWE and give them your ecu # and they could tell you wether or not they chipped it.

 

yea i looked at my ecu and there was no sticker.. and I know that with a giac chip ur supposed to have a front mount.. But thanks for the tip about calling, Thats just what I wanted to hear.. Where can I find the ECU #.. I imagine on or around the ECU but could u give me a location thanks

 

and if my ECU has an APR chip and I wanted a GIAC could they just replace it or would I have to get a new ECU cause of solder?

 

A FMIC is not necessary with any k03 chip. Not sure about switching from APR to GIAC exactly, but im sure its possible. I just know if you had REVO and wanted to switch to something else that may be a problem. ECU# is printed on a sticker on the ecu.

 

I have a K04, borla exhaust, upgraded DV.. I think i'm gonna make my sig.

 

Then you have GIAC. And unless you have the PC16 file you still dont need a fmic, but it would definately help in the summer.

 

ok i was about to say, i just bought my 99 a4 sat. and it has a giac... he told me, plus the stock chip is in a giac box in my glove box... ha