Computer for Car

[Geoaidan]

I just had horrible news from the shop. They said that my car's computer is fried, and a new one is $800. I'm really upset about this. I really need my car.

Do any of you have a computer for a 1993 Buick Century with a V6 3300 engine? I need it ASAP and CHEAP. Pretty please?

Thanks,
Geo

[SilentWing]

Ebay... 50 bucks free shipping
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16198266-Century-Ciera-Computer-ECM-1990-1991-1992-1993-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem255678d7aeQQitemZ16036 4550062QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso ries
Or you could try a JY.. That shop price is insane...

[lemons bob]

There are alot of these cars in the pick n pull. You have to go through the glove compartment get to it but shouldn't be to expensive.

[Geoaidan]

Kristen,

Thanks for the link much appreciated. The mechanic said that I'd need a calibration pack to make the new computer work with my car? What's up with that? Is that true? Can't I just swap computers and call it a day?

[Geoaidan]

lemons bob,

I work so much, I don't have time to go to the junkyard... I'm at work right now as it is. As I mentioned above, mechanic said I'd need a calibration pack from GM directly. If that's true, I'm just going to sell the car.

[SilentWing]

Yeah the reason I didn't say pick n pull is because it looks like the closest one to Geo is in San Antonio which is about 75 miles from him. There might be a closer yard tho that's similar. Pick n pull wants $31... the nice part about getting one from a local yard is that if it's faulty it's much easier to return it. I know the 3300's had computer issues from time to time, my mom's 89 had the computer die out in the middle of a busy road.

If you get a JY computer you WONT need a calibration pack. A calibration pack is when they get a New blank computer and the pack is just a PROM which basically is just the program for a blank computer. If you get a JY one with the same engine it'll work fine.

Edit: I'd like to add tho that although I'm almost positive that you can just swap computers I'd still wait for someone else to chime in and confirm this, I know it's the case with my Ciera so it SHOULD be the same with your century, just want to make absolute sure beforehand.

[Geoaidan]

Kristen,


If you get a JY one with the same engine it'll work fine

Thanks, much appreciated. That's what I was hoping to hear.

How easy is it to install? Just remove the glovebox and it's right there? Just unplug the cables, switch the units and plug it back in the right places?

[SilentWing]

That's pretty much it, should be just 2 connectors. I'd reccomend unhooking the battery while you uninstall/install the computer cause you don't want to shock it.

[Geoaidan]

Thanks again. Do you have the address/contact information for that $31 computer at the pick n pull in San Antonio? I'll have to take a day off work and get this done. :)

[lemons bob]

you might be able to get one at a local junkyard and not have to drive all the way out there. Might pay a bit more but probably worth the savings in gas and a day off work.

Here is a link that will not only give you the addresses but can show you what cars are there and where in the junkyard they are.

http://www.picknpull.com/check_inventory.aspx

[86euro]

$800 is highway robbery.

The PROM (the chip inside) from GM is probably less than $100. 10 years ago they were about $60. The computer should be available remaned from any parts store for less than $200, and you probably don't need both of them anyway. Just one or the other.

[Geoaidan]

lemons bob,

Thank you, much appreciated. I'll be going there most likely this Saturday

Andy,

Yeah, I agree. The mechanic was playing kooky. He kept trying to justify the jacked price by saying "you'd still pay that amount for the recalibration kit anyway... You're better off just getting the new part from GM and have it ready". That guy isn't smart. He could have told me the truth, and I'd have given him my business. Instead, I'm going to do it myself. He only is going to get the $99.98 dollar diagnosis fee out of me. Ah well.


Kristen,

How did you find out about the $31 computer part? Did you call and talk with someone specific? Is this the Roosevelt Road Pick N' Pull in San Antonio?

Thanks :)

[SilentWing]

On Pick N Pull's website go to the tab on the top that says "About Us" and look for the "part pricing" link (for future reference that is)
Here's a direct link: http://www.picknpull.com/part_pricing.aspx
Go to the San Antonio location on the drop down menu, then when the big parts list comes up click on "C" and look for "Computer Brain Box" on the list. It's 31.98 BUT if you bring in your old one it's 26 something. For the extra 5 bucks or so I'd keep your old computer around just in case.

I've found that with the Pick n Pull locations they don't actually answer the phones it's just an automated message which is probably why they just recently started putting their pricing online. If you look in the inventory though there are a few centuries that will have your computer most likely. I think on eBay it says any computer from an 89-93 will fit, and that seems right to me unless someone else on here knows different.

[Geoaidan]

Thanks again :)

[SilentWing]

No problem, for future reference you should also know that the 3300 had a really big problem with the MAF, although with all the codes it threw I don't doubt it's the computer, just something to remember.

[Prospeeder]

I would get ur car out of that rip off shop fast. 800$ for a computer, there like 85$ brand new from any parts store, and takes ten minutes to change. And no there isnt any kind of programing lol

[Geoaidan]

LOL, yeah. It's out of the shop. (It was in for diagnosis) Weird thing is, the car seems to be running better, more pep to the acceleration, but the car seems to run a little more higher at idle. (Just a little. Could be 700 rpms (normal is 612 rpms) Will get a computer today or tomorrow.

On Edit: New Information:

I pulled the old computer out, and I suspect that it's a junkyard computer. There's no way this could be factory. Somebody wrote with marker on the computer: c1, c16, a1, a12, c1, c16. The other side has D1, D16, B1, B12, D1, D16.

Will report back when I have new computer and when it's hooked up. This is so easy to do.

[Pontiac6ksteawd]

Remember you have to take the EEPROM out of your old computer, and put it in your new computer.

[zigzag]

$800!!!!! geez I do not know why these shops take us for fools >.< i bought my new computer for $90 took me 5 minutes to get it out swapped out prom and installed the new one within 1o minutes (the right side screw was a bitch lol) and ran fine since. A 10 year old can do the work. Just make sure you install the prom as it looks on the old one.

If i were you I would detour business away from that shop. Local radio stations can help you with that lol.

Damn Austin? I live less than an hour away from you XD.

[Geoaidan]

Brian,


Remember you have to take the EEPROM out of your old computer, and put it in your new computer.

How do I do that? Is it a chip?


Zigzag,

Yeah, I know.. I was really disturbed by the prices. I asked the mechanic over the phone if I were to get a new computer, how much he'd do it for. He said $157.00 plus tax. (To see what he says and to make him think that I'm coming back, so that he doesn't screw my car over while he still had it) When I took the glovebox and uninstalled the computer, I was even more madder when it took me less than 5 minutes to do the whole thing. Made me realize it's a major ripoff. Between the job and the kids, I just have no energy to cause a stink about it. Just going to fix the car myself and keep on doing it until it's time for me to get a truck. :o)

[Prospeeder]

You will see 4 screws holding a little cover, take it off, see the PROM, un latch it and pull it out, MAKE SURE it goes in the new computer EXACTLY the same, it is possible to put in backwards, and it will instantly destroy the PROM.

[Geoaidan]

Thanks, much appreciated. You've saved me some time and money. :)

[zigzag]

yea mechanics are notorious for that kind of handy work >.< report them to the BBB. get prices for the computer from the parts store and how much he was going to charge you to install ($100 + $157) vs them buying the computer and installing it for $800.. that is almost a $750 difference and that just isn't right or honest.... and remember local radio stations are your friends :P.

[SexySilhouette]

George, I am sorry I didn't see this sooner, you have email. If I had been more attentive, I would have saved you the money and aggravation. I refuse to pay shop prices to have my car fixed, it's ridiculous!

Zigzag, like george, I too am in Austin.

[Prospeeder]

I work in a shop now, and really, I see now why they charge 80-100 bucks an hour. There SOOOOOOOO much overhead its unbeleivable. ( i think i used overhead right, lol, like they have alot of bills/supplies/rent/paychecks/L&I/waste oil disposal/heating and air conditioning/maintence to the building its nuts....

[CamoDeafie]

wow holy thats a ripoff....by the way, Geo is deaf...i think? I seem to recall him telling about his time with a deaf school....huh. anyhow. easy to replace computers yes. I wonder if the car's computers would go batpoop insane if one unplugged it and continued to drive the car...lol. never mind that the ignition probably depends on the computer anyways. less than 5 minutes to swap out eh? sounds simple enough hm.

[Geoaidan]

I promised an update, so here it is:

I ordered an used ECM off ebay, from the link that Kristen provided. (Thank you, Kristen) I elected to go this route, because I asked the ebay seller if he had the exact same PROM that my car had. It turns out that he did. So, within a week, I had a new used ECM. For those with ECM's going bad, here's a tip: On the ECM itself, there is a white label on it that will have some letters (4 letters) on the top right corner. Mine was "BCAW". That's the code for my prom. So, if you replace an ECM, make sure the PROM letters match, and you won't have to swap out any chips. But, if you got a computer with a different prom, just open both of them up and install the old prom chip into the new one.

Anyway, it took me 5 minutes to plug it in, tighten 2 nuts, re-insert the glovebox and screw it down with 6 screws... Pressed on the emergency brake for calibration purposes... Let the car idle for 7 minutes to be "extra sure". I took the car for a spin, and wouldn't you know it? It ran beautifully. It ran much more smoother and gas mileage was much better, and everything. So, it was definitely the ECM that was the culprit of the problems.

Then something happened 2 days later- I came into an unexpected income, and I used it to buy a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 3D extended cab. 111k miles, runs beautifully. Got it for a good price, and it's paid off. Traded my car in. The dealership gave me just $500 for my car. I didn't mind. I love my truck.

George

[86euro]

Wow, that's an update :) Good luck with your truck! Does it have the 5.3?

[Prospeeder]

500 for ur century!? That dealer will put it for 4000 i bet you anything....

[mechanizeddeath]

Nah probably more like $5000 for that Century. :D I can't believe the prices dealers charge for A-bodies.

Good luck with the new truck. Not much of a truck fan myself, I'd have kept the Cent. :)

I was surprised to see the computer in such an accessible place when I was installing my stereo and Scangauge. Usually it's buried somewhere in the car and you can't get to it easily.

[SilentWing]

Aww sad to hear you sold your Century, but I'm glad you got a truck that you love. I don't know your financial situation and/or if you had the extra money for it, but it would have been nice if you had sold it on CL for about a grand, then that's $500 more to put in your truck. Either way congrats and glad the ECU worked for ya.

[Geoaidan]

Andy,

Thanks. :) It has the 5.3L engine, definitely. It has 4x4, and is fully loaded with alarm, towing brake control unit, and many other extras. Here's a picture:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs068.ash2/36758_1431681725162_1626475253_1037569_3837152_n.j pg

It has spray on bedliner, and there are a lot of new parts on this truck, and a lot of custom stuff (mostly suspension)


Mechanizeddeath,

The Century has no ceiling liner, carpet is very stained, there's a dent in left rear quarter, air conditioner compressor died, and things on it are failing all the time. So, it was just time for it to go. The KBB value of my car in the condition that it is in, is around $900 dollars. So, I didn't really lose that much money. The dealer is going to auction the car off, it's not in good enough shape for them to sell it on their lot.

[CamoDeafie]

coulda sold it to forum member; pretty sure someone'd like to have been able to turbo it >.> lol

[Geoaidan]

Kristen,

Thanks. :) The dealership wanted $12,500 for the truck... So, I put $10k cash on the dealer's desk and told him that if he could take my car, sell me the truck for $10k even- this means plates, inspection, and everything... He stood up quickly when he saw the cash and made a deal on the spot. It's nice to be able to wave that much cash in somebody's face and cut on the haggling. So, theoretically, he gave me $2k or so for my car, except that he reduced the price of the truck on the paperwork for tax purposes on his end. :)

Geo



CamoDeafie,

See my message to Kristen above. It's just easier to trade it in and be done with it. Sure, a forum member here could have benefited, but then I'd not have been able to get my truck for the price that I did. It's just in my personality to take the easy way out.

[CamoDeafie]

wow thats handy!

[mechanizeddeath]

Ah, no hard feelings man. :D I was under the mistaken impression that you'd gotten rid of a perfectly good car, but if it had reached that point I don't blame you. Once things start going down like dominos, it makes little sense to keep fixing them when you know next week/month it will be something else. Even a certified mechanic with his own shop needs a 2nd car to keep things going at that point.

I'm glad you were in a position to offer $10k cash though, I see far too many people getting in over their heads with loans on their dream car, and 3-4 years later the thing is worth thousands less than what they owe on it. Loans aren't bad, I've used them myself, but people need to be more careful with them.

Sounds like you got a better trade than my one friend did. They were going to give him just $1 for his LeBaron coupe. He finally convinced them to trade it for a GM factory CD player, which ended up being a Pontiac version that didn't even match his Chevy.

[86euro]

That's a great looking truck! Up here, the '99-'00 models without the 4th door seem to have body and frame rust issues... I don't think you need to worry about that down there though :) There's some really good message boards for the GM trucks, ColoradoK5.com is my favorite.

[SilentWing]

Wow that's in beautiful shape. After hearing the rest of the story sounds like you got a heck of a deal. With 111k miles you'll be able to get alot of use out of that truck.