Hello,
I bought a hypertech power programmer plus for my T/A. The manual says that it should work for '94 - '97 LT-1's and LT-4's. When I plug it in, it goes through the self test, then tries to communicate with the computer. That's where it hangs up and doesn't do anything. It's supposed to recognize the vehicle but does not. It simply tries to talk for about 30 seconds and shuts off. Anybody with similar experiences? The guy I bought it from claims that he returned his vehicle to stock before I got it. Even if he didn't, the instructions tell me that the programmer would at least tell me that. It does nothing (except for a self test). I need help...

 

Well from what I remember it shouldnt be the same programmer for 94-97, 94 was OBDI, 95 was OBDI with OBDII connector (if I recall correctly), and 96 and on was a totally different pcm with a OBDII connector... Feel free to correct me if Im wrong, just what I recall.

 

The Hypertech power programers are year specific. Look on the back of the programer, it should have a sticker that tells you what year and car it's for.

 

You're right 97formy,
The sticker on the back says '96 LT-1. I didn't notice until you said something. Guess I'm screwed on this one. I'll try and sell it and buy the right one. Thanks for your help!

 

Stick it on ebay if you can't get a buyer this forum...

 

Sell it and don't repeat the mistake of buying it again. Custom programming costs less and does more, it is a nobrainer.

 

Good idea.

Bad idea.

 

did you turn the ignition on

 

lol, did you even read the thread?

 

quoted for truth. youre way better off with custom programming. hypertechs are junk IMO

 

OK so you don't like the hypertech.. I can understand that. because I thought it would do more before I read the manual. The guy I bought it from claims that he used it on a 97 SS and on a 94 impala. But the sticker says "96 Z28, Formula, Trans Am, 5.7L LT-1 Auto/Manual" Its not clear if this thing should at least talk to my chip. by the way.... I did turn the ignition on (without cranking the engine)...

 

Where can I hook myself up with a custom programmer?

 

pcmforless.com
Madz28.com
Ed Wright or Fastchip.com
And a whole bunch of others.

 

you can also send it back to hypertech and get them to reset it i am not sure of the charge. i use mine with my pcmforless tune, cause i like to change my tire size when i put on ET's so it fixes my speedomiter. i would rather keep mine to save from getting tickets for speeding

 

What part of the last vehicle was programmed back to stock and it is for the wrong year do you not understand?

Two pcms with proper programming one for each tires size would be MUCH less risky and cheaper. Every time you reflash you are taking a chance.

It is also really easy to run the math and figure out about how much a speedo is off for that little bit of use and just remeber the difference.

 

The guy said he went back to stock program. I assumed everything back to stock. Also, the programmer is supposed to tell you if you need to go back to stock on your last vehicle. I don't understand the next part of your question. I don't know if this programmer is supposed to work with my 95 even though it says 96 on the sticker. Last guy claimed he used it on a 97SS and 94 impala.

 

Basicly the guy lied to you. There's no way that a programer for a 96 will work with your car. Your car is OBDI, in 96 they changed to OBDII. I have to agree with 96capricemgr on the fact that they arn't worth the money or the risk. They do have some nice functions though such as calibrating speedo if you change gears or tire size, adjust when the fans come on, change rev limiter, ect..... But when it comes to the power increase that they advertise is when it gets if'y. Some people have gotten a couple of extra hp out of them, some people don't get anything, and some people have ruined there PCM's using the HPP. All in all it's not worth the money or the risk. There are safer, better, and more cost effective ways of doing everything that the HPP does. I would suggest you go and get a mail order tune from one of the companies listed on a previous post in this thread. They can do everything that the HPP can do and more (garanteed increase in HP for example) for a much cheaper price.

 

I guess he lied. I asked him if I could return it for a refund because of it and he's giving me the run around.
My car has an OBDII connector (I know the OBDI connectors are different). Is it possible for me to have the OBDII connector with OBDI compatibility?

 

95's were converted to the OBII conecters but all of them were OBDI. I have no idea why GM did this. Maybe somone here can enlighten us both as to why?