desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

What do you guys use to desolder the obd o ecu's to get the old chip out.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

The best way is to use an adjustable temperature soldering/desoldering station with a desolding pump. The ghetto way is to use a Radio Shack soldering iron and some desoldering braid. (total cost like $15) ;D

Save the day--the ghetto way.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

I chip customer's ECUs with my $5 desoldering iron, and $2 desoldering braid. Takes 20 minutes (your times may vary), and looks clean, and functional.

Check it..
My desk..
http://index.driftkids.com/MyShit.jpg

My ECU (personally)..
http://www.driftkids.com/pics/jason/ecu

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Whats desoldering braid do? Does the solder like to attach itself to it and come out?

I just use the sucky thing...takes a while for a novice but its rather simple if you have patience.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

The copper braid heats up and draws the solder out, and up the braid.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Yeah the de soldering braid takes a bit to get used to also, but once you get the hang of it, it's real easy and works great. I too use it.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

You think its easier or safer to use the braid rather than the sucker? Hmm i gotta pick some up and try it...radioshack?

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

I don't know.. I've just always used the braid.. The sucker thing looks entirely too awkward.

Plus, the braid is dirt cheap anyway.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Cool, I gotta try it out then...

Soldered up another Pm6 ZIFFed and ready to go...I want to test it out this weekend, and then install the MAX 233...

Whats your reccomendation on connecting the MAX233 to the ECU? what I mean is would you solder in solid pins to the ECu and then find a 4 pin connector to connect them all up? Or just solder wires to the ECU and to the MAX board?

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

My buddy "beaterKU" used a sound cable from a CR-ROM drive (very ingenious). Me, shiiiiiiit, I'm DIY all the way.

Here is the ECU I built for Jeff for the Trailer Park Dyno Day.

http://index.driftkids.com/JeffsECU.jpg

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

What gauge braid do you recommend.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

I really don't know, but I bought some copper braid from radio shak, it's 5 feet long rolled up in a little spool. when it's stretched, it's about 3/4 cm wide. it works great.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

hey guys, just an idea... this is what i use. i got a sucker thing from radio shack and it didn't work worth ----, so i took the nozzle and taped it to my moms portable vacume, heat up the joint you want to desolder then hit it with momas vac... it makes this little poping sound then the solder gets sucked out, then i use soldering braid to clean it up if need be.

try it... it works!

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Seems like an awful lot of work if you could just use desoldering braid in the first place...

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

yeah but the desoldering braid dosn't give that popping sound like using the vac/nozzle thinggy. lol...

no, first i tryed just using the soldering braid but it seems to take too long. i just use it to clean up.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Too long with the braid? From start to finish.. 15-20 minutes on the ECU. ::shrug::

Practice, it'll get faster.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

one mistake I made was trying to use the braid from the bottom of the board. Working from the top seemed to work much faster and better with the braid.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

how do you work the braid? what i usually do is rest the braid on the joint then apply the soldering tip on top, it seems to work good sometimes other times not too good.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Yeah, what you said is basically the right idea; just put the braid between the iron and the joint you are trying to desolder. I find that desoldering on top of the ecu instead of the underside is easier I think because the braid can lay flatter on the board, providing more contact area on the circuit board metal you are heating. Don't ask me why this is; I tried for like an hour trying to get all the solder off the bottom of the board and it didn't work. It took me about 10 minutes on the top of the board.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Hey Jason,
where can I get one of those sexy zif sockets for my eprom?

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Willahlborn...I just bought 4 ZIFs(damn digikey minimum orders) and have one left over if you want it. I'll sell it to you at cost ($6.50 plus shipping) if you only need one. let me know

cwharris@optonline.net

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Low cost ZIF sockets - $5.25 per

Aries Universal Test socket - $8

No minimum order, but I'd highly recommend getting $50 worth for the Free Digital Multimeter

I bought This Temp controlled Soldering station and a few sockets. It makes a HUGE difference and $35 is a pretty good price for what you get. I've seen much cheaper soldering stations that go for more.

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

Not to jump in on anyone..

..but, PLEASE be careful about what ZIF sockets you buy. Just "any old ZIF" isn't going to work.

Currently, a customer shipped me thier ECU, and the ZIF they sent me was entirely too large.

It is recommended (for OBD0 at least.. I don't know about OBD1 for certain) that you use the ZIF socket mentioned in the Engine Management FAQ, section 4 from DigiKey. Part number is included.

This is because there is a peice right above where the EEPROM fits into the PCB that has has to be bent out of the way slightly even for the Aries to fit.

Look at this comparison of the one the customer sent me, vs the DigitKey (Also an Aries). That "Test Socket" isn't going to in any way shape or form, fit.

http://index.driftkids.com/ZIFTooBig.JPG

Re:desoldering an obd0 ecu
 

----...so i got the wrong zif socket when i ordered my eprommer from the group buy. guess i'll have to get another one.