When did Ford start using computer chips?
Ford began embedding computer chips in its vehicles in the late 1960s and early 1970s—initially for electronic ignition—and by the 1980s microprocessor-based engine control units became common.
The shift from purely mechanical systems to electronic control accelerated as emissions rules and fuel economy standards grew stricter. Ford and other automakers adopted transistorized ignition, electronic fuel injection, and then fully microprocessor-controlled engine management. Over the 1990s and 2000s, on-board diagnostics, multiple control modules, and networking chips became standard, laying the groundwork for today’s connected vehicles.
Here are the major milestones that illustrate Ford's journey from simple electronic parts to today's chip-dominated engineering.
Milestones in Ford's adoption of computer chips
- Late 1960s–early 1970s: Ford introduces solid-state electronic ignition to replace mechanical points, enabling electronic timing control.
- 1970s: Ford experiments with electronic fuel injection and transistorized engine controls on select models.
- Mid- to late-1980s: First microprocessor-based engine-control units (ECUs) appear in mass-market Ford vehicles, marking the modern era of computer-controlled powertrains.
- 1990s: Expansion of electronics across powertrain and body systems; introduction of onboard diagnostics (OBD) and networked ECUs, with OBD-II becoming standard in 1996 for new US vehicles.
- 2000s–present: Ford's vehicles become increasingly chip-heavy, featuring multiple ECUs, advanced sensors, and in-vehicle networks (CAN/LIN), underpinning features from adaptive cruise control to infotainment.
These milestones illustrate the long evolution from early electronic ignition to today's highly integrated, chip-driven Ford vehicles.
Summary
Ford started using computer chips in the late 1960s and early 1970s, progressing from electronic ignition to microprocessor-based engine management in the 1980s, with widespread electronics by the 1990s and beyond. Today, semiconductors are foundational to Ford’s powertrains, safety systems, and in-car technology.
What was the last car made without a computer?
The last cars made without a significant amount of computer control were the 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, both of which used carburetors for fuel delivery instead of electronic fuel injection. While some other models may have used carburetors into the early 1990s, these are often cited as the last mainstream American vehicles sold with that technology.
- Carburetor vs. Fuel Injection: The key difference was the use of a carburetor, a mechanical device, instead of an Engine Control Unit (ECU) and electronic fuel injection (EFI).
- Final Model Years: The 1990 Jeep Grand Wagoneer is frequently cited as the last fully computer-less model year before minor changes were made to the 1991 model. The 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser is also recognized as one of the final vehicles with a carburetor.
- Modern Vehicles: Today, virtually all modern cars have computers to control everything from the engine to the windows and locks. The federal mandate for On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-I) was phased in during the early 1990s, and the more advanced OBD-II, which requires a computer, became standard by 1996.
What year did Ford trucks stop using carburetors?
Ford trucks stopped using carburetors at different times for different models, with the phase-out occurring mostly in the late 1980s and early 1990s. For the Ford F-Series, this transition was completed by the 1988 model year for all engine options, while some other models like the 460 V8 were carbureted through the 1987 model year before switching to fuel injection in 1988.
- F-Series (5.0L V8): Converted to fuel injection for the 1986 model year.
- F-Series (4.9L inline-six): Converted to fuel injection for the 1987 model year.
- F-Series (5.8L and 7.5L V8s): Converted to fuel injection for the 1988 model year.
- 460 V8: Offered with a carburetor for the 1987 model year, and fuel injection in 1988.
- F-Series (up to 11,000 lb): The last models were carbureted through 1987.
- F-Series (motorhome chassis): Some models continued with carburetors up to the 1992 model year.
What year did they start putting computer chips in cars?
The first car computer chips were used in the late 1960s, with the 1968 Volkswagen Type 3 being the first production vehicle with a computer-controlled electronic fuel injection system. While this was the beginning, chips became more widely used in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with widespread adoption across most vehicle systems occurring by the mid-1990s.
- 1968: The Volkswagen Type 3 was the first production car with a computer-controlled electronic fuel injection system, made possible by the Bosch D-Jetronic system.
- Late 1970s-Early 1980s: Automakers began incorporating more computer chips to meet stricter emissions standards and control other engine functions. For example, the 1977 Oldsmobile Toronado had an electronic control unit (ECU) for spark timing.
- Mid-1990s: Computers were controlling a wide range of systems, from engine combustion to various electrical interactions, and had become standard in nearly all new vehicles.
Does a 1999 Ford F150 have a chip in the key?
Yes, a 1999 Ford F-150 key does have a transponder chip, part of its Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS). This chip requires programming to the vehicle for the engine to start, and a plain, non-chipped key will not work to start the engine. You can often tell if a key has a chip by looking at the head; a chipped key will have a plastic head, whereas a non-chipped key will have a metal one.
How the chip works
- The chip in the key sends a signal to the vehicle's computer when it is inserted into the ignition.
- If the signal is verified, the system allows the engine to start. If it's not, the fuel injectors will be shut off, and the engine will crank but not start.
- Keys with a chip have a plastic head, while non-chipped keys are all metal.
- A visual cue on a Ford chipped key can be an offset hole in the head, where the plastic meets the metal, to accommodate the chip.
What this means for you
- If you get a new key cut: The key must be cut and then programmed to the vehicle's computer to start the engine.
- If you only have a non-chipped key cut: The engine will not start because the security system will not recognize the key. The vehicle may also have a flashing security light on the dashboard.
- If you lose all your keys: You will need to have the vehicle towed to a dealer or an automotive locksmith with the correct programming tools to create and program new keys.
