So I was at the track on Friday. Made a few passes and the car was running a little warm so I plugged in the Hypertech to change the temp from 180 to 160. While it was reprogramming, I accidentely bumped into my battery shut-off switch and cut power, interrupting the reprogramming. In the Hypertech manual it says that if that happens to simply hook it back up and it will continue programming from where it left off. I did this and it will not. Now the car won't even start. I tried everything under the sun to get it to fire: Unhooked the battery, I even brought it to the closest GM dealer and they scanned it, found the error it was throwing, cleared it but it just kept comming back. They told me I need I new computer. Anyone ever experience something like this or now what can be done to fix it?
Thanks.

 

If you bought the hpp new then hypertech will help you. You can call their tech support according to the manual. The recovery on power loss isn't guaranteed. This isn't the first time I've heard of this and the 2nd owner was VERY unhappy. Hypertech's customer service is basically next to non-existent for 2nd owners.

Just in case you don't already know this; a good used pcm goes for about $100 so don't rush into a purchase from a dealership.

 

I second this. Try to get it to work through Hypertech, and if it won't work, either send your computer off to get it repaired (I think ~$50) or buy a good used one and have someone put the tune back in it. Also, the tune in the Hypertech could be toast, seeing that it is VIN locked and it may or may not have starting putting that info into the computer. You may have to get a hold of Hypertech to fix that.

Another thing, how were you going to change the temperature the car was running by dropping it from 180* to 160* using the Hypertech? I would think that would only work if you had a 160* thermostat. I'm not sure if bringing the fans on 20* cooler with the same thermostat would make much of a difference.

 

Yes you're right, it does just turn the fans on earlier. Anyway, I called Hypertech and they were no help at all! He said that I will need a new computer and that the Hypertech is no good now and that they won't touch it without a receipt which I don't have.
I guess I will just try and find a new CPU now. I think I have one out of and old Lt-1 Caprice cop car. Anyone know if this will work on a '97? It's probably OBD-1. Will it hurt anything?

 

I'm not sure about that. Do some research or start a new thread. Definitely find out BEFORE you try it. You don't want to fry another one.

 

I don't really care if it fries the computer, I don't need it for anything anyway. I just don't want it to dammage my engine in any way.
I will start a thread about it though first.

 

http://madz28.com/repair.php

 

Steve, thanks for the link. What do you suggest I do; get the $40 kit or get a whole new CPU? Also, everyone has been telling me to get an OBD-1 CPU before I really start getting into serious modifications to my motor which I do plan on doing in the near future because the OBD-1 is much easier to tune. Is this true? Will an OBD-1 computer work properly in my car and would you recommend going that route? Also, if I am going to get a new CPU, should I have it programmed for the current modifications that I have done to the car? I have all of the basic mods done (headers, exhaust, 1.61 r.r's, ported heads, mild cam, N20,...) I was running with a completely stock CPU other then an Lt-4 knock-module and the car ran perfect, I am just wondering if it would run that much better with a proper tune.

 

Definitely. You'd feel a very big difference if you got your car tuned. When you switch to OBDI, you'll need the PCM and a knock module out an OBDI car. I just checked it out, if you get another computer and stay OBDII, you need one out of an OBDII car. Hope this helps.

 

The knock module that comes with whatever computer I end up getting should be the correct one for that computer unless someone has changed it or taken it out. My biggest question is still should I go OBD-1 or 2? Are there that many tuning advantages to OBD-1?

 

It's cheaper. It might be a little more simple as well. I think most people do it because there is a larger (cheaper/free) variety of software for OBDI.

 

There is no easy fix for your computer. I think there are a few sponsors on here that can resocket it. MadZ28. Hypertech will not pay for the computer because it says in the directions to make sure power is not interrupted during tuning. They will however fix your hypertech PP which will be inop also. You can buy a new computer through hypertech for less than most places sell them for. Sorry for the bad luck.

 

I think someone else already said that tuning software for the OBD-1 is quite a bit less expensive too. I know from experience that the obd-1 tunercat software and a cable from akm I bought wasn't a lot of money and getting rigged up for OBD2 tuning is. One advantage for someone with headers is the OBD-1 pcm doesn't even have a provision for after cat O2 sensors. As for the knock module, I would have thought it would be included with the pcm. I don't know if the knock "sensor", which is located on the engine is different for the 96-97 from the 93-96.

 

If you're going to tune the car yourself then it may be cheaper to convert to OBD1. If you're going to pay others to tune it, then there's probably no reason to change.

If you want to convert, talk to Ion (madz28.com) and see if he will take your OBD2 computer as partial trade on the OBD1 conversion.

One thing - are you subject to emissions, and if so what kind? If you have an OBD2 check like a lot of US states have, then you need the OBD2 computer.

Yeah, go ahead and have whoever fixes your computer (whether 2 or 1) give you a tune for your current mods.

You already have serious mods, and it's surprising that the car was running well on the stock tune.

What cam are you running? (just out of curiosity)