so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff?
i have been informed that my nothing on my console works (radio, heat & air controls, etc). the information i have at this time is that the wires are all hot leading into the console, so it must be something in the console wiring harness. how bad is it? im pretty good w/ electrical/electronic things (being a EE major i would hoipe that is the case) i might have some more details this weekend for anyone who wants to take a random stab at my meaningless words.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Re: so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff? (ZiVvmO)
From one EE to another... What year is your car?
First and formost - if your having electrical problems you need to get a wiring diagram! If you have one great! The next thing you need is a DCV meter - can get one at Radio Shack for #10. Most problems can be isolated fairly easily if you are odical in your troubleshooting. But, you have to have a diagram so you can see how it sapose to work!
Once you get the dash apart and spend some time under there its not that bad. Use masking tape to lable everything you unplug. If you have a digital camara, take pictures as you disassemble things. What exactaly is it that doesent work? Most of the heater control is operated by vaccum. Its hard to give any additional advice untill you state more of your problems! :yesnod:
Hope thid keeps your sprit up! :thumbs: :
First and formost - if your having electrical problems you need to get a wiring diagram! If you have one great! The next thing you need is a DCV meter - can get one at Radio Shack for #10. Most problems can be isolated fairly easily if you are odical in your troubleshooting. But, you have to have a diagram so you can see how it sapose to work!
Once you get the dash apart and spend some time under there its not that bad. Use masking tape to lable everything you unplug. If you have a digital camara, take pictures as you disassemble things. What exactaly is it that doesent work? Most of the heater control is operated by vaccum. Its hard to give any additional advice untill you state more of your problems! :yesnod:
Hope thid keeps your sprit up! :thumbs: :
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Re: so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff? (Red69)
well if you looked at my sig..... :p: its a 70, so probably not much if any different from yours. no i dont have a wiring diagram, yes i have a multimeter (but it didnt cost #10, closer to $10 [sorry im a bastard]), digital camera is accessable.
i am not clear on what exactly doesnt work.....he (guy working on car) said nothing in the console works.
i am not clear on what exactly doesnt work.....he (guy working on car) said nothing in the console works.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Re: so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff? (ZiVvmO)
"Nothing in the console works..." is pretty vague.
It's hard to understand what he means by "all the wires are hot going to the console", but if he means they have power, perhaps the gauges are just shot. I would attack each one individually. You will also notice that each gauge has a light bulb going to it with a positive wire and the case being ground. This doubles the number of wires in the console. Almost each gauge is different. The clock is straight voltage, the ammeter is a resistance type of gauge, the oil pressure gauge actually has a tube coming from the block with oil in it (don't break it!) so it is not electric, the water temp gauge has a single wire going to the temperature sensor in the block, and finally, the heater and defrost controls aren't electric either. They have vacuum tubes connecting them with the various valves to move the air doors. Another set of things that look like fat wires will be the fiber optic bundles running to the center console from the lights. It's a real mess, but not that hard to figure out if you (and your buddy) take your time.
Get more details and we can be more specific about suggestions for repairs...
Good luck
It's hard to understand what he means by "all the wires are hot going to the console", but if he means they have power, perhaps the gauges are just shot. I would attack each one individually. You will also notice that each gauge has a light bulb going to it with a positive wire and the case being ground. This doubles the number of wires in the console. Almost each gauge is different. The clock is straight voltage, the ammeter is a resistance type of gauge, the oil pressure gauge actually has a tube coming from the block with oil in it (don't break it!) so it is not electric, the water temp gauge has a single wire going to the temperature sensor in the block, and finally, the heater and defrost controls aren't electric either. They have vacuum tubes connecting them with the various valves to move the air doors. Another set of things that look like fat wires will be the fiber optic bundles running to the center console from the lights. It's a real mess, but not that hard to figure out if you (and your buddy) take your time.
Get more details and we can be more specific about suggestions for repairs...
Good luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa OK
Re: so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff? (Z-man)
ill try to look at all that stuff tomorrow. hope (if all i have been told is true) i will get my vette tomorrow. this will mark the 1st day in the 2 years i have owned it that it will be in my posession. (long story, maybe ill tell it tomorrow in my marriness of having my car finally) yeah so after i look at it, ill check some of that stuff out. funny how everyone always talks about how something here or there can always be fixed, and i will get it and try to work on it the 1st day :crazy:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: so exactly how bad is fixing my console stuff? (ZiVvmO)
I would advise getting an Assembly Instrustion Manual (AIM) befor eopening this up. In addition to the wiring diagram, there are a couple hundred illustrations showing how parts are connected and how wires are routed. It is invaluable.
Odds are you will find numerous "Bubbas" with wire splices and poor connections.
If your problems include AC, you will need the vacuum hose routing diagrams.
One tip- THE most difficult thing in this area is connecting the threaded studs on the bottom of the instrument cluster to the brace below. Use wing nuts to reassemble.
Don't expect to do this in an afternoon. I'd budget about 10 hours for your first entry into this area.
Odds are you will find numerous "Bubbas" with wire splices and poor connections.
If your problems include AC, you will need the vacuum hose routing diagrams.
One tip- THE most difficult thing in this area is connecting the threaded studs on the bottom of the instrument cluster to the brace below. Use wing nuts to reassemble.
Don't expect to do this in an afternoon. I'd budget about 10 hours for your first entry into this area.
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