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Hypertech PP3 "back to stock" problem, c4c5spec, C-5tech, anyone?
Just went to install a 160 Powerstat (and completed the job). I thought I would return to the stock programming to make getting the coolant to the right temperatures easier. When I go back to stock, the car start for about 1 second and then stalls. When I reload hypertech power tuning, the car starts fine.
I'm thinking that somehow either my saved stock configuration got corrupted in the PP3 or that the PCM is not working with its stock program anymore. I am not the original owner of the PP3 and I am a 2nd owner under extended GMPP warranty of the vehicle.
What should I do? Should I contact Hypertech? Will they support me since I was not the original owner of the PP3? I can also take the car the dealership and then reload back to stock and have it die right there. Will GM support this? I could do a total lack of disclosure, drive the car to the dealer lot, unload the PP3 and have them service it right there, but I'd really like to tell them what's wrong to save some time.
What is the recommended course of action either through GM or Hypertech?
This is the risk of using PPIII. I would have the PCM reflashed by the dealer and then deal with Hypertech. Hypertech's customer service is poor. They wanted to charge me $200 to have the Hypertech program reburned on my unit (nor original owner) plus a 3-week wait. :mad
Of course you could leave the PP as is but then you cannot go back to stock until/unless the PPIII is reburned. :(
Are you saying that there may possibly be a firmware upgrade or something like that? Or are you saying that they may need to reprogram the PP3 to send my stock code back again?
Also, will the dealer reprogram the PCM under these conditions? I have to admit, if I were GM, I wouldn't. But as I said, I can be sneaky if needed and just load the programming once its on their lot. I'd rather not do that. The thought of guys pushing my car into the bay doesn't sound very exciting to me. I'd really rather have them drive it into the bay and just reload the PCM.
Now here's when it gets tricky, if the dealer reloads the flash, the PP3 should recognize that its program is gone and should reload its power tuning. Will it then take on the new program that the dealer put on as its backup copy? If so, all of my issues could be solved by a dealer reflash. However, this information would have to come from someone who knows the Hypertech unit technically. Anyone?
One thing that I heard might work is load it back to stock and then wait about 2 hours and then try to start her up. If that does'nt work I know Hypertech will have an easy fix for it. When I called them about that problem they were aware of this problem. Hope this helps.
I spoke to Hypertech who told me the following for anyone interested:
1) Return to stock mode
2) Try to start (should or could fail)
3) Turn car and power programmer off, disconnect PP3 entirely
4) Try to start again (should or could fail), turn key back off
5) Reconnect PP3, turn key to on
6) Wait until after the validating VIN messages to be prompted for tuning install
7) Do not answer tuning questions, turn key off and disconnect PP3
8) Car should start
He explained that this is a security feature of the Corvette that is resisting tampering with the PCM. He says that the condition should be cleared by performing the aforementioned. I'll let you know if it worked tomorrow.
Had the same problem when I had the HPIII. If I remember correctly, Hypertech told me to plug in the unit back in and let it do its initial diagnostics and then just unplug the unit. This was awhile back so I would contact Hypertech for precise instructions.
When this happened to me I checked the codes and found a security code had been set in the antitheft system. If I remember correctly the procedure Hypertech gave me did not work. However, I believe I got over the problem by removing the negative battery cable for about 30 seconds. This allowed the PCM to reset. Then the car started right up.
Bill
The above mentioned procedure by me worked fine last night. Basically as said, you wait for it to go through its boot up sequence and wait to be prompted to program. Then you simply disconnect the PP3 and turn off the car. Works like a charm.
The guy who answered the phone @ Hypertech seemed to know this issue off the top of his head. I suggest that anyone with a Hypertech save this too.