I am looking at a c4 that was originally from Japan (1989 model but has a 191 dash and interior) The owner has put the battery connections on the wrong way and now the engine will not start (turns over OK on the starter motor). Can anyone let me know a couple of things................

Why does the 1989 vette from Japan have a later model dash/interior?
Things that could possibly have been "fried" with the battery being connected incorrectly?

If you are from Australia what would be a rough guide on what the car is worth and its in what I would consider good condition but has been sitting a long while I reckon

Thanks
Bart Australia

 

Keep in mind that the model year usually starts production towards the end of the year before. IF I am not wrong they usually start the next years series from September/October of the year before.

I have never experienced this so I cannot comment on what exactly will go wrong. I would say there is a good chance the computer could die.

Keep in mind if this is a car from Japan and still left hand drive, you will not be able to drive in Australia since it had to be right hand drive. From what we know, there is no one who is doing right hand drive C4 conversions.

Personally I would look for a 1989/1990 in Australia that has already had the conversion done and at least you get to meet the owner so you know its history. You are looking anywhere between $25-40k Australian depending on condition and options.

 

How did you determine it is a '89?
From the VIN or the build date?

Does it have import paperwork? LHD $10K max
And like Gary says ;
you can only register it LHD in WA or NT unless you wait until 2020 for the 30 year rule in other states.
Nobody has the certification to convert '90+ ones ( cost 8 -10K for conversion) anyway
Do your research
C4's are dirt cheap in Oz at present because no one wants them.

 

Thanks for the reply. There are different rules in different states in Aus and I live in WA which is somewhat more lenient. I sorta gathered the ECM for the engine would be fried however it doesnt "smell" like its been fried. If I end up with the car I will let you know what it actually did fry!!

Thanks again

 

It can be totally "fried"electronically ( as in kaput ) without showing any signs of burning.

You still haven't stated how you know it is a '89?
If it is actually a '90 then there are other essential items like the CCM
that could be torched as well from polarity reversal

 

Morning Rod,
You are obviously from Aus!! I am over in the west hence no issue with paperwork re imports as the vehicle is already licensed for WA. I am bemused at it being a 89 model as its totally different to my Vette I already own, the dash/interior look like its the 90's upwards layout which means even the ECM is accesible as its located directly above the brake booster. I already have a 89 model of my own and yep thats been converted by Corvette Clinic Melbourne and is a 6 speed with the ZF transmission. I have had the 6speed for nearly 10 years and was starting to think maybe I dont like driving the old girl that much as a right hand drive. The problem as you most likely would know is that is less room on the R/H drive oppossed to L/D due to the nature of the tunnel.

Right now its only a thought about the Japenese imported vehicle. I thought of putting around $27,000 (what do you reckon to that price considering its a manual and pretty hard to find in Aus) on the R/H vehicle I currently have, its pretty tidy vehicle and absolutely original as I have gone to lengths to make sure its stayed that way. I have only travelled some 3000 odd kilometeres in in the last 5 years as most of the time I am working overseas or interstate in Australia and the house reno's gardens etc all takes up time. The car is black and for a person that likes the old girl looking spot on I am for ever cleaning it and not driving it!!!

Back to the *** import, not sure but I reckon the ECM is most likely fried. Would you recommend anyone in Aus to repair it or is it something that needs to go back to the US? Unfortunantely the owner has passed away so I cannot discuss it with him like other things that may have been effected by the reverse polarity mistake.

Hey thanks for replying to my notice Rod, appreciate it.

 

Sorry Rod, the ID Tag is on the drivers door with the VIN etc that matches the VIN tag behind the windscreen and also has a Japenese tag alongside (dont ask me please what that says!) and the body is absolutely identical to my 89 6 speed in every nature.

 

Rod,
Also I reckon it would have 90's upwards wiring considering the interior/dash arrangement. What is the CCM?

 

There is absolutely no difference between the '89 and '90 bodys. It would be very doubtful this is an '89 with a '90 dash, unless the PO retrofitted it

 

Seems like somebody here had a thread about a reversed battery.

There were a few things like the am/fm radio toasted, a couple of fusible links to the alternator, but little else. I think the ECM does have a measure of protection against high voltage and shorts that it might withstand for a few moments.

Once I thought about trying to get a job in Perth, but I don't recall if my 95 was importable at the time- it would have been an interesting car to have there. windscreen wiper/turn signal stalk would have been easier for me as the rhd version.

 

So why do you think it is a '89?

So you learn to drive with your left foot either on the clutch pedal or under it.
Fun in city traffic

Never found anyone locally to do it
Cheaper to buy working used unit from USA
Lucky for you ,I have a couple of spare ECM's ( in Syd ) to suit plus lots of other '90 parts

 

Steer clear of the Japanese imports, they drive the cars into the ground don't change the oil they have gone to hell and back.
I have seen many cheap ones that cost a lot to get up to scratch.
Remember all vettes are built left hand drive.
There are bargains around already converted to r/h drive (mirror image) by reputable company's, low miles and looking like new and handling as they should.