Help! What is this thang?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Help! What is this thang?
Hi all, I need help identifying this item mounted on the back of my tach. it is the thing that looks like an M80 firecracker. Inside the little hole where i am pointing looks like there might be a wire??? If so, where would that get connected to? By the way there is one of these mounted on the back of the center gauge console also and I have no idea what for or where to. Any idea where I can get a replacement? Is this vette specific or can I get it at a local parts store? Thanks in advance, Chet
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
It is a radio capacitor with the wire missing. There are a few under the dash in different locations. They are noise suppressers for the original radio. Check your aim for radio capacitors.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
That is a capacitor (condenser) that was used as a noise suppressor for the power to the radio. Without that (on the original system), you would hear ignition 'spike' noise in the radio output. If you have a modern radio, that suppression circuitry is built into it already. You don't need it for any other purpose.
I think that particular capacitor was meant to eliminate the turn signal 'clicks' from the audio.
I think that particular capacitor was meant to eliminate the turn signal 'clicks' from the audio.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Sep 25, 2011 at 09:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Thanks guys. Man... I just looked for them on several parts sites and are they ever expen$ive!. Guess I better bench test my radio before i go and buy them (found two under dash, 1st as shown in pic and the other on the back of the ammeter). If the radio doesnt work, I think I will re-install it anyway just to preserve the look. 
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I should have some used caps here if you need them. Send an email to Willcoxcustomerservice@willcoxcorvette.c om if you decide you need one.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,977
Likes: 19
From: Canboro Ontario
Thanks guys. Man... I just looked for them on several parts sites and are they ever expen$ive!. Guess I better bench test my radio before i go and buy them (found two under dash, 1st as shown in pic and the other on the back of the ammeter). If the radio doesnt work, I think I will re-install it anyway just to preserve the look.
Try Paragon or Lectric Limited, they are both selling them now.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
It's absurd to purchase new noise suppressing capacitors just so the [puny] stock radio system in a C3 wouldn't have a few 'pops & cracks' in the radio output. If you wanted to hear "clean" music in a Corvette, the first thing you would do is replace the radio and speakers with good ones...and that system wouldn't need better noise suppression.
