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so a few days ago I bought my first corvette, a 1990. Got a great deal on it in my opinion but it does need a little work on the inside. It's missing the radio, the screen right above the climate control doesn't work (I think it's the driver information screen?) The LCD part of the dash cluster does work with the Speedo and such, but none of the analog gauges work (tach, oil, temp etc). It has aftermarket gauges mounted in it right now. The A/C works but doesn't blow the hardest, I can't seem to get the heater to kick on though.
So I know that's alot there. But the rest of the car is pretty solid especially for the price. I'm hoping you guys can help me out since I have no idea where to start looking for issues with the climate control or the driver info screen. Ive worked on cars all my life but the electronics seem a little fancier than my 79 trans am i had before and the basic radio installs ive done.
The instruments seems like are a common problem going out so I'm sure I'll just have to replace the cluster. But if you guys can give me a little insight on where to start with those that'd be great. Thanks!
I have a '90. Yes the dashes go out, so if you just bought it it might be worth your while to put in a new / rebuilt cluster.
Many might so no big deal etc, and don't throw parts or money at it, but if you want peace of mind do it.
Tach filters always fail, analog gauges could mean sending units or someone has maybe been digging, or even did engine work.
$500 or whatever to nip this right away is my advice. Stuff like this irritates new owners and ruins the experience. Fix it and forget it. IMO.
The '90 has a set of their own little airbag sensor issues too, so be prepared or look it up. No panic just common.
A sorted C4 is a good / fun c4. They get goofed on and I do it too sarcastically, but they are a hell of a lot of car for the money for the time period comparisons.
I would like to take care of it right away. I only paid $3k for the car and I have another $1k I plan to use to take care of all the issues like the dash cluster. When it comes to the climate control and info screen I don't know if I should just replace them or if there's a different fix as I'd hate to throw money at it and that not be the issue. Thanks for the advice.
So I pulled the info screen apart. Several bulbs are missing. But the cover/screen is black almost like painted on the backside? I hold it up to a light and can't see through it. Thinking maybe I'm going to have to get a new one or is this something normal I'm not aware of?
So I opened things up a little, wound up replacing the DIC because the previous owner trashed the internals with garbage rewiring for some reason. That works now. I replaced the lights in the A/C control module with stock ones because they didn't work, PO had tried to install LEDs (apparently he tried to convert the entire car to LEDs). But the illumination lights in the A/C still don't work but the green light over the selected button does.... But here's the real trouble. I pulled the dash cluster out planning on fixing it. Only part of the lights work on it and no analog gauges do (aftermarket teach, water temp, and oil pressure are in the car), again LEDs, but the wiring under the dash is horrible. So much is cut and electrical taped I don't even know where to start to find the tachometer wiring to hook it back up to the dash cluster. The aftermarket water gauge and oil pressure are mounted on the left side of the windshield and some of those wires run into the back of my headlight switch. I have no idea whats going on with the wiring in this car. Wiring has always been my worst nightmare. Where do i even start to fix wiring thats been jacked up? Is it possible to buy a wiring hasrness thats just plug and play to replace all the dash wiring? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
A new/used wiring harness would solve the majority of your problems but you're looking at some major disassembly and reassembly. How involved do you feel like getting in to? If you are going for factory original then you have your answer. But if its just your "toy" the aftermarket gauges are fine.
1990 corvette help!
