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Well I tried using something called a Prompaq... Not a good aftermath

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1BUICKT

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Joined
Sep 18, 2011
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Ok guys, I really need some help! I installed the prompaq (which is a selector key switched box that is supposed to allow you to run mulitple chips to select at your choosing on the fly). I installed this with two different chips that I have... My everyday driving TT chip as well as a race chip. After installation my car would not run hardly at all.. Spitting and sputtering as well as throwing a code 51 (ecm issue).

So much to my dismay that the damn prompaq didnt work, I completely removed everything and put my TT street chip back in by itself and to my shock, the same exact results. Car would not run, spitting and sputtering and wouldnt want to even idle. Then I tried the race chip by itself and exact same results!

I removed and installed everything 100% correctly by unplugging the ecm power between changes, etc. did this thing fry my chips or somehow maybe ruin my ecm?? Any help, information, and/or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Johnny
 
That would be a cool add on if it worked. Anyway, sounds like the unit shorted out your ecm.
 
I used one in the past with no issues like this....see if the chip has one of the tabs bent or broken.
Also did you disconnect the ECM when you installed it...if so check the connections at the ECM.
 
I used one in the past with no issues like this....see if the chip has one of the tabs bent or broken.
Also did you disconnect the ECM when you installed it...if so check the connections at the ECM.
Thanks for the reply X Ray... I just checked all of the tabs on both chips as well as the prompaq and everything looks as it should. I also should include that when I first aquired this thing a couple of months ago just for fun, I half-ass installed it with only my street chip to see if it would work and the car ran fine. But this time around installing it neatly and with two chips it created this issue.
Yes I did unplug ecm power before each change and the problem is still existing with the prompaq removed.
 
Check the fuses aswell


Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app
 
These cars just aren't hard enough to make run right without complicating them anymore.......... You decided to double the chance for problems and now you cry the blues.......

Good luck to you.

Jus' sayin'..........
 
These cars just aren't hard enough to make run right without complicating them anymore.......... You decided to double the chance for problems and now you cry the blues.......

Good luck to you.

Jus' sayin'..........
Since getting to learn a little about these cars over the last year or so I've learned they seem to be really easy to work on and for the most part easy to get them running right while modding. Just takes a little common sense, a little patience, and sometimes a little help here on the forum. Comments like yours are unappreciated and I would prefer that in the future if your not offering helpful reasonable advice to just not reply to any topics that I post in the Tech Forum. Too be honest it's saving you too from looking like an obvious ass. Thanks. =)
 
You likely busted the chip socket from the board itself or damaged it. The money pit says $100 please in a womanly tone or I won't run properly ;) .
 
...snip..
Actually that Prompaq system never really worked at all. It wasn't a cable length problem, but rather a design snafu that had to do with the chip manufacturers making the 2732 Eprom's at that time. I got pulled into a legal battle with the designer of the Prompaq a few years back...he's gone forever. Anyway, the unit won't work, or will work sporadically at best.
-John Spina
http://www.casperselectronics.com
Look for the SEPTEMBER SALE items

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/threads/prompaq-repair.52890/#post-360129
 
I had a Prompaq when they were new back in the early 90's, it never worked even sent it back for service and came back with the same problems. It would run fine at idle and low power but under load code 51.
It is too bad because it's design was pretty cool.
 
Anything with much of a cable on it seems problematic anyways. I've heard people having trouble with the moates stuff too in a G Body.
There IS a reason(s) John took the approach he did with his thumbwheel.
 
That was kinda harsh.
Jus' sayin'

I wasn't trying to be harsh, just speaking from experience. My freind had one back in the late 90's and all it was for him was a headache, a big one. Electrical gremlins of untold magnitude resulted from it's use, and it NEVER worked right.

If the Prompaq had ever worked well in the first place, there would be a lot more of us running them. A little more research on the OP's part before putting the system in may have proven to be the prudent thing to do..

To the OP: You can call me an ass all you want, but the fact is, my car is running.

On the other hand, I have a spare "known working" ECM and I will be happy to pay shipping both ways if you should want to use it for testing and/or eliminating the possibility that you cooked your ECM.

It sucks when these cars go on the fritz, I really do hope you get it sorted out.
 
Any chance you installed the chip in the wrong direction?
From what I see the chip can only go in one way. Im thinking it's the ecm... Btw I did check both ecm fuses under the dash and both looked good. My friend that lives local has an 87 GN... Maybe I can get him to let me try his ecm this evening with my chip and see if it resolves anything.
 
I had a Prompaq when they were new back in the early 90's, it never worked even sent it back for service and came back with the same problems. It would run fine at idle and low power but under load code 51.
It is too bad because it's design was pretty cool.
Yeah it would have been great if it performed as it was supposed to... I really never even considered that if it didn't work right it could possibly cause damage to my ecm or chips. I was just pretty excited about having it all installed. Sucks!
 
You're right, the chip only fits one way. I think I have a TT chip for 60# injectors, too. Less than 1000 miles.
 
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