PLEASE HELP Hypertech nightmare!!

millerls1 · 03-09-2007, 01:29 PM

Can anybody help!!

I just bought a hypertech for my 98. Car has been garaged for the winter. I was so excited to install the program that I went right out and hooked it up.

Halfway through the install, my car battery died!!!

the Hypertech was not able to fully load the program.

Once I jumped the car, it would not start. I have erased my stock program and now my Hypertech does not know where it left off on the previous programming.

the tuner just keeps saying "wait for communications with vehicle, turn key to "run" position."

this goes on for an hour or more with no change.

Hypertech says that I have to take my car to dealership and have the computer flashed to restore original programming. Then I have to send them my receipt from dealership along with my unit to have it unlocked.

WHAT A PAIN!!!!

Has anybody experienced this mess? Any words of advice? (besides the obvious)

My car will not even start now, just cranks. My engine diagnostic says mostly everything needs service, and 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER'

yuck.......

foff667 · 03-09-2007, 02:16 PM

sounds like the pcm might very well be fried...you can try the dealer route...hopefully it will work for you, but 98 pcm's are finicky about taking a S**t when the battery goes too low on a write.

TLewis4095 · 03-11-2007, 12:13 AM

PCM is most likely done as stated above. Best is to try for a used one, it should be the same year & tranny type. Good luck!

millerls1 · 03-12-2007, 09:56 AM

Is there a link or a thread anywhere on this forum for removal and installation of my ECM?

1998 Auto.

Does the 1998 have an ecm or pcm?

TLewis4095 · 03-12-2007, 01:36 PM

Its in the wheel-well of the passenger side frnt tire. Take the inner fender out and it is pretty easy to do.

Good luck!

INTHERED · 03-12-2007, 04:12 PM

Have you tried using the hypertech to return your car back to stock or does the error message come up before then ?

millerls1 · 03-12-2007, 07:28 PM

the unit says, "programming was interrupted"

from here it says "waiting for communications with vehicle, turn key run position, but do not crank engine"

Of course this is what I do.

It will do this for ever, I had it hooked up for over 1 hour no change.

Seems like the PCM is not taking the program.

I am just scared to take it to a dealership that is telling me $50 to flash. And them lie and say I need a new PCM.

'VETTE PHASE · 03-13-2007, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TLewis4095

Its in the wheel-well of the passenger side frnt tire. Take the inner fender out and it is pretty easy to do.

Good luck!

The outer part of the bracket is pretty easy to get off, one of the screws is a little hard to reach. After you get that off, the PCM slides out of the inner bracket (bolted to the frame). Being a '98, you will probably break the plastic bracket trying to get it to slide out (I used a screwdriver as a pry bar). Don't worry, it's only $12 at the dealer. Ask me how I know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by millerls1

Can anybody help!!

I just bought a hypertech for my 98. Car has been garaged for the winter. I was so excited to install the program that I went right out and hooked it up.

Halfway through the install, my car battery died!!!

the Hypertech was not able to fully load the program.

Once I jumped the car, it would not start. I have erased my stock program and now my Hypertech does not know where it left off on the previous programming.

the tuner just keeps saying "wait for communications with vehicle, turn key to "run" position."

this goes on for an hour or more with no change.

Hypertech says that I have to take my car to dealership and have the computer flashed to restore original programming. Then I have to send them my receipt from dealership along with my unit to have it unlocked.

I had that happen to me once when I was writing mine with HP Tuners. I finally pulled the USB out of the laptop, plugged it into a different USB port and it worked. I know you can't do that, but it may mean that you just can have something else write to the PCM, like the local dealer, and maybe it's not fried.

millerls1 · 03-13-2007, 06:30 PM

Taking car into dealer in the morning, I will post an update!

RAMMAN · 03-13-2007, 07:26 PM

I would bet that the PCM itself is ok and it can be reprogrammed. Give us an update when its done.

2000BSME · 03-13-2007, 09:25 PM

That's the corvette gods spiting you for garaging the car all winter.

You didn't even think about the battery? Wow, sorry for that, I hope everything turns out alright.

Bill Curlee · 03-14-2007, 10:04 PM

PCM looks like this!! Its the silver box. The black plactic box is the TAC Module:

millerls1 · 03-15-2007, 10:11 AM

Yep, I fired my PCM. needed new one.

$300 later I was good to go.....

Very expensive mistake.

Now I am scared to use my Hypertech again.

Word to the wise, make sure your battery is fully charged when tuning!!

2000BSME · 03-15-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millerls1

Yep, I fired my PCM. needed new one.

$300 later I was good to go.....

Very expensive mistake.

Now I am scared to use my Hypertech again.

Word to the wise, make sure your battery is fully charged when tuning!!

glad to hear that everything turned out fine, but really the mistake was purely your own. I worry about battery charge anytime my car sits for more than a month at a time. I would've thought you'd have been cognizant of that issue.

Sorry, not trying to rub it in, it just sounds like it.

rustyguns · 03-16-2007, 08:31 PM

I USE MY HYPERTECH ALL THE TIME. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE AWARE !

IF YOUR NOT AFRAID OF HAULING ASS IN A CORVETTE DO NOT BE AFRAID OF A DUMB COMPUTER!

USE IT MAN! THEY ARE REALLY GREAT!

METHODICAL IS THE MAGIC WORD!!

NOT2MELO · 03-16-2007, 11:49 PM

I am sure you have not fried the PCM its just that the TSOP on the board is most likely screwed up.
The dealer will not be able to help you other then selling you another unit.
You would have to open the PCM and pull the chip and reprogram externally and reinstall again.
Not for the average person but for a electronic technican or someone knowledgable its possible.

Turko · 03-21-2007, 02:21 AM

This happened to me with my 97 ss but the only thing they did is reflash the computer. I really hated how the hypertech would take so long to down load something. I would always have my doors closed and always made sure there was nothing on before I would hook the hypertech on to the car. It seemed like that little hypertech would suck the battery dry. haha

typhoontaz · 03-21-2007, 02:49 AM

Hypertech really sucks! The same thing happened to me. I refuse to ever buy their crap again. They wouldn't even warranty their programmer because I bought it used. Have a professional do it on a dyno. Boycott Hypertech!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

mvvette97 · 03-22-2007, 01:04 PM

Same exact thing happend on my 98 camaro. I also had to take the car to the dealer and get it flashed. Also sent the programmer back to get fixed. Then a year down the road it done the same thing only this time it fried the pcm. I was so mad I burnt that piece of crap programmer. Hypertech sucks

codysdad · 03-31-2007, 11:36 AM

I've put mine in and out 20 times in my 97 K1500 and never had a problem. Dam it only takes 5-10 minutes and no big power. Just follow instructions and you won't have any problems. Makes a hell diference in my 5 speed lifted truck. Almost as fast as my vette. Not