New C4 owner - help??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 5
From: Madison Wisconsin
New C4 owner - help??
I just purchased a 1993 six speed coupe. I'm hoping someone in the forum might be able to answer two quick questions.
1. Does anyone know where I can get an online manual. The previous owner is looking for the original manual that came with the car, but I expect I won't see it for at least a few weeks.
2. I noticed the car makes a buzzing noise from under the passenger glove box when I first unlock the door and enter the vehicle. It goes off as soon as I start the car. Is this normal and does anyone know what it is??
Thanks,
Jim
1. Does anyone know where I can get an online manual. The previous owner is looking for the original manual that came with the car, but I expect I won't see it for at least a few weeks.
2. I noticed the car makes a buzzing noise from under the passenger glove box when I first unlock the door and enter the vehicle. It goes off as soon as I start the car. Is this normal and does anyone know what it is??
Thanks,
Jim
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 178
Likes: 3
From: Evansville IN
You want a helms manual. http://www.helminc.com This is the factory service manual and is extremely helpful. Also, welcome to the forum 
. You may want to watch for a helms manual on e-bay as well. You can usually pick them up pretty cheap. Good luck Rich
. You may want to watch for a helms manual on e-bay as well. You can usually pick them up pretty cheap. Good luck Rich
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Jim, I think as time goes along you'll find that having different manuals for your year Vette will be of benefit.
As an example, I have the Helms Corvette Shop Manual for my 86 and it's pretty detailed on MOST topics/areas, but recently I wanted to check my coil resistance and the diagram showing where to connect my ohm meter was not clear in the Helms manual.
Fortunately I have a Chilton book too (about $19.95 at most auto parts stores) and in that book, there were much clearer photos of where to connect my probes. This kind of thing comes up from time to time so having more than one reference manual is a good idea if you plan on doing your own work on your car.
No need to get a second mortgage to get them all at once (LOL), but as time passes you may want to consider picking up different versions.
There are a couple of monthly Corvette magazines that also contain a Tech Tips section, (in addition to lots of other GOOD info), that are really good for the do-it-yourselfer. Corvette Fever and VETTE are two of them.
If you want catalogs that offer parts specifically for Vettes, and not Mustangs and Chryslers, etc., there are several good ones. Eckler's, Mid-America, Corvette Central and Corvette America are the four that come to mind. I believe all of them are free and I believe they can be ordered on-line or by calling a 1-800 number. They'll give you all sorts of ideas on how to spend your hard earned $$.
As far as tools, most problems (and if you're like the rest of us, you're gonna have some) can be diagnosed with a Digital Volt Meter (DVM), a 12 volt test light and one of the data loggers that can give you real time data on what all the sensors are doing.
There are several different kinds on the market. Diacom is one of them, but it's kinda pricey, it plugs into the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) and reads out on a laptop as the engine is running.
Then there's a ScanTool that's available at AutoZone and other bigger auto parts stores. It's priced much more reasonably and gives about the same data as Diacom, but I don't know if you can save the data to a 3.5 floppy or not, which you can do with Diacom.
Anyway, other guys will probably chime in with their suggestions and preference on data loggers.
Hope this helps.
Jake
As an example, I have the Helms Corvette Shop Manual for my 86 and it's pretty detailed on MOST topics/areas, but recently I wanted to check my coil resistance and the diagram showing where to connect my ohm meter was not clear in the Helms manual.
Fortunately I have a Chilton book too (about $19.95 at most auto parts stores) and in that book, there were much clearer photos of where to connect my probes. This kind of thing comes up from time to time so having more than one reference manual is a good idea if you plan on doing your own work on your car.
No need to get a second mortgage to get them all at once (LOL), but as time passes you may want to consider picking up different versions.
There are a couple of monthly Corvette magazines that also contain a Tech Tips section, (in addition to lots of other GOOD info), that are really good for the do-it-yourselfer. Corvette Fever and VETTE are two of them.
If you want catalogs that offer parts specifically for Vettes, and not Mustangs and Chryslers, etc., there are several good ones. Eckler's, Mid-America, Corvette Central and Corvette America are the four that come to mind. I believe all of them are free and I believe they can be ordered on-line or by calling a 1-800 number. They'll give you all sorts of ideas on how to spend your hard earned $$.
As far as tools, most problems (and if you're like the rest of us, you're gonna have some) can be diagnosed with a Digital Volt Meter (DVM), a 12 volt test light and one of the data loggers that can give you real time data on what all the sensors are doing.
There are several different kinds on the market. Diacom is one of them, but it's kinda pricey, it plugs into the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) and reads out on a laptop as the engine is running.
Then there's a ScanTool that's available at AutoZone and other bigger auto parts stores. It's priced much more reasonably and gives about the same data as Diacom, but I don't know if you can save the data to a 3.5 floppy or not, which you can do with Diacom.
Anyway, other guys will probably chime in with their suggestions and preference on data loggers.
Hope this helps.
Jake
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by JAKE
Jim, I think as time goes along you'll find that having different manuals for your year Vette will be of benefit.
As an example, I have the Helms Corvette Shop Manual for my 86 and it's pretty detailed on MOST topics/areas, but recently I wanted to check my coil resistance and the diagram showing where to connect my ohm meter was not clear in the Helms manual.
Fortunately I have a Chilton book too (about $19.95 at most auto parts stores) and in that book, there were much clearer photos of where to connect my probes. This kind of thing comes up from time to time so having more than one reference manual is a good idea if you plan on doing your own work on your car.
No need to get a second mortgage to get them all at once (LOL), but as time passes you may want to consider picking up different versions.
There are a couple of monthly Corvette magazines that also contain a Tech Tips section, (in addition to lots of other GOOD info), that are really good for the do-it-yourselfer. Corvette Fever and VETTE are two of them.
If you want catalogs that offer parts specifically for Vettes, and not Mustangs and Chryslers, etc., there are several good ones. Eckler's, Mid-America, Corvette Central and Corvette America are the four that come to mind. I believe all of them are free and I believe they can be ordered on-line or by calling a 1-800 number. They'll give you all sorts of ideas on how to spend your hard earned $$.
As far as tools, most problems (and if you're like the rest of us, you're gonna have some) can be diagnosed with a Digital Volt Meter (DVM), a 12 volt test light and one of the data loggers that can give you real time data on what all the sensors are doing.
There are several different kinds on the market. Diacom is one of them, but it's kinda pricey, it plugs into the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) and reads out on a laptop as the engine is running.
Then there's a ScanTool that's available at AutoZone and other bigger auto parts stores. It's priced much more reasonably and gives about the same data as Diacom, but I don't know if you can save the data to a 3.5 floppy or not, which you can do with Diacom.
Anyway, other guys will probably chime in with their suggestions and preference on data loggers.
Hope this helps.
Jake
As an example, I have the Helms Corvette Shop Manual for my 86 and it's pretty detailed on MOST topics/areas, but recently I wanted to check my coil resistance and the diagram showing where to connect my ohm meter was not clear in the Helms manual.
Fortunately I have a Chilton book too (about $19.95 at most auto parts stores) and in that book, there were much clearer photos of where to connect my probes. This kind of thing comes up from time to time so having more than one reference manual is a good idea if you plan on doing your own work on your car.
No need to get a second mortgage to get them all at once (LOL), but as time passes you may want to consider picking up different versions.
There are a couple of monthly Corvette magazines that also contain a Tech Tips section, (in addition to lots of other GOOD info), that are really good for the do-it-yourselfer. Corvette Fever and VETTE are two of them.
If you want catalogs that offer parts specifically for Vettes, and not Mustangs and Chryslers, etc., there are several good ones. Eckler's, Mid-America, Corvette Central and Corvette America are the four that come to mind. I believe all of them are free and I believe they can be ordered on-line or by calling a 1-800 number. They'll give you all sorts of ideas on how to spend your hard earned $$.
As far as tools, most problems (and if you're like the rest of us, you're gonna have some) can be diagnosed with a Digital Volt Meter (DVM), a 12 volt test light and one of the data loggers that can give you real time data on what all the sensors are doing.
There are several different kinds on the market. Diacom is one of them, but it's kinda pricey, it plugs into the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) and reads out on a laptop as the engine is running.
Then there's a ScanTool that's available at AutoZone and other bigger auto parts stores. It's priced much more reasonably and gives about the same data as Diacom, but I don't know if you can save the data to a 3.5 floppy or not, which you can do with Diacom.
Anyway, other guys will probably chime in with their suggestions and preference on data loggers.
Hope this helps.
Jake
101 Corvette projects is a good book to have too. The search function on this forum is a great source of information too.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by jimkari
Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help. I am really looking forward to joining the world of Corvette ownership.
Jim
Jim
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by jimkari
I just purchased a 1993 six speed coupe. I'm hoping someone in the forum might be able to answer two quick questions.
1. Does anyone know where I can get an online manual. The previous owner is looking for the original manual that came with the car, but I expect I won't see it for at least a few weeks.
2. I noticed the car makes a buzzing noise from under the passenger glove box when I first unlock the door and enter the vehicle. It goes off as soon as I start the car. Is this normal and does anyone know what it is??
Thanks,
Jim
1. Does anyone know where I can get an online manual. The previous owner is looking for the original manual that came with the car, but I expect I won't see it for at least a few weeks.
2. I noticed the car makes a buzzing noise from under the passenger glove box when I first unlock the door and enter the vehicle. It goes off as soon as I start the car. Is this normal and does anyone know what it is??
Thanks,
Jim
Sounds like one of the courtsey light relays. Check the courtsey lamp fuses with a DVM. I think they are 5amp and 20amp #'s 31 & 32. Is your PKE system working?
Edit note: Early model 93's don't have the programmable computer. You can tell by looking at the box just above the battery. If its a smooth black case you have the early model, if it has cooling fins and is brushed metal look you have a later model.
If you want to pull DTC's (codes) you can easily do it with a paper clip jumping the correct pins, there are several which displays the DTCs for each system.
Last edited by 93JetJocky; Apr 7, 2005 at 09:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Yes Thats what I was thinking too a relay although he did not describe if it was key on or off or just with the door open.Relays will chatter especially at the end of thier life span. Ther are 3 I think under the pass hush panel in my 93
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by Redeasysport
Yes Thats what I was thinking too a relay although he did not describe if it was key on or off or just with the door open.Relays will chatter especially at the end of thier life span. Ther are 3 I think under the pass hush panel in my 93
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I agree....
Originally Posted by richdwyer
You want a helms manual. http://www.helminc.com This is the factory service manual and is extremely helpful. Also, welcome to the forum . You may want to watch for a helms manual on e-bay as well. You can usually pick them up pretty cheap. Good luck Rich
. You may want to watch for a helms manual on e-bay as well. You can usually pick them up pretty cheap. Good luck Rich
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: PA
Fuse Blowen
JAKE,
The buzzing noise is an indication that a fuse is blowen. Ive had personal experiance with this a few times. I also have a 93. The fuse box is located on the passenger side of the dashboard, on the side. its a smooth black cover that comes off. you will have to open the pass. door to get to it. unfortunatly you will have to look at every fuse to see which one is blowen. unless you can see whats not working on your car. try everything interier lights. Dont forget the light that is in the rearview mirror. thats where mine was.
Hope this helps.
The buzzing noise is an indication that a fuse is blowen. Ive had personal experiance with this a few times. I also have a 93. The fuse box is located on the passenger side of the dashboard, on the side. its a smooth black cover that comes off. you will have to open the pass. door to get to it. unfortunatly you will have to look at every fuse to see which one is blowen. unless you can see whats not working on your car. try everything interier lights. Dont forget the light that is in the rearview mirror. thats where mine was.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 484
Likes: 5
From: Madison Wisconsin
Thanks again!!!
You guys are great, you really called it on the blown fuse. Last night I did confirm the noise was coming from a relay related to the interior lighting. Ironically the local Chevy dealer said it was a bad relay. Wouldn't you know the forum experts know their cars better than the dealer. It was a blown 5 amp fuse. I replaced it and all the lights are on and bright with no buzzing.
Thanks all!!
Jim
Thanks all!!
Jim