new vette owner
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Manchester NH
new vette owner
First time vette owner.... This is my first post. Ive been doing searches and a lot of reading on the site. You guys certainly know these cars. I just purchased a 1990 coupe and my problem is the auto climate control...it lights up and thats about it. The guy I bought it from said he had just replaced it thinking it would fix the problem but no luck (he purchased the car a year ago...put in a new computer and new injectors and a tune up, fuel filter and a few other things) the car runs great but has electrical problems. If someone could help me figure out where to start trying to diagnose the problem that would be great.
thanx guys
thanx guys
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
Welcome - you will find so much valuable information on this site. These are a great bunch of men and women sharing a passion for their vettes.
Personally, I do not have sufficient knowledge of the '90's electrical system, but I'm sure you will get a reply soon enough. Otherwise, buy a factory service manual (the two book series with RED covers) off of an auction site or helmsinc.com. The FSM, as commonly referred to, includes almost everything you need to fix your car up and has an ENTIRE book on the electrical system. I found the two for $50 in excellent condition for my '91 on the auction site which we must not name....
Good luck,
Jonathan
Personally, I do not have sufficient knowledge of the '90's electrical system, but I'm sure you will get a reply soon enough. Otherwise, buy a factory service manual (the two book series with RED covers) off of an auction site or helmsinc.com. The FSM, as commonly referred to, includes almost everything you need to fix your car up and has an ENTIRE book on the electrical system. I found the two for $50 in excellent condition for my '91 on the auction site which we must not name....
Good luck,
Jonathan
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
I advise you to purchase the GM manual for that year.
[NOT to be confused in ANYWAY with ANYTHING you buy at the parts stores]
It is pricey at $100+ [ I'd check amazon ]. The real manual is about 2" thick and weighs about 2 Lbs [ and 1/2 is electrical and drivability related], but this will save you Thousands if you have reasonable reading skills, modest mechanical/electrical skills, and the little patience.
The manual provides block diagrams, schematic drwg., component description and location, nd trouble shooting.
[ and, It ain't simple without it].
You will check Input and output voltages at 1/2 dozen places for A/C diagnosis. Once done, you will know what's broken.
[NOT to be confused in ANYWAY with ANYTHING you buy at the parts stores]
It is pricey at $100+ [ I'd check amazon ]. The real manual is about 2" thick and weighs about 2 Lbs [ and 1/2 is electrical and drivability related], but this will save you Thousands if you have reasonable reading skills, modest mechanical/electrical skills, and the little patience.
The manual provides block diagrams, schematic drwg., component description and location, nd trouble shooting.
[ and, It ain't simple without it].
You will check Input and output voltages at 1/2 dozen places for A/C diagnosis. Once done, you will know what's broken.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Muskogee OK
You can also use the diagnostics built into the unit.
Push both fan speed buttons until the indicator shows -00.
Push the 'Auto ' fan button and it should show your trouble codes.
The FSM will have a breakdown and what to check, but if you don't have one, post the codes here and I'll check my book for you.
Push both fan speed buttons until the indicator shows -00.
Push the 'Auto ' fan button and it should show your trouble codes.
The FSM will have a breakdown and what to check, but if you don't have one, post the codes here and I'll check my book for you.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 13
From: Romeoville IL
Yeah I second, or third the buying of the FSM.
Does the climate control do nothing? Fan not kicking on? Not switching to which outlet you select? Or do you just have issues with say the AC kicking on?
Does the climate control do nothing? Fan not kicking on? Not switching to which outlet you select? Or do you just have issues with say the AC kicking on?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Without the "Book" in front of me it's dangerous to trouble shoot, but the Blower Control Module is a major culprit.
I am on #3 and the available quantity is dwindling fast.
At $150.00 apiece, they are not cheap. The blower does nothing when this puppy konks out.
I bough two used ones on Ebay just to have them.
The thing is basically a Variable Speed Drive for the motor speeding it up or down according to temperature inputs.
More comfort-tech than is REALLY needed in a sports car. Very Cadillac.
TJM
I am on #3 and the available quantity is dwindling fast.
At $150.00 apiece, they are not cheap. The blower does nothing when this puppy konks out.
I bough two used ones on Ebay just to have them.
The thing is basically a Variable Speed Drive for the motor speeding it up or down according to temperature inputs.
More comfort-tech than is REALLY needed in a sports car. Very Cadillac.
TJM
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Manchester NH
the fsm is the first thing on my list to buy for the car. The car came with the hayes manual but that is quite limited. As for the acc it doesnt do anything productive at all besides illuminate when i turn on the headlights. No matter what button i hit nothing happens. I only bought the car 2 days ago but i am already addicted to driving it. I really dont know why i waited so long to buy one. Also one other question...when youre in the city is it common for the car to heat up...i dont mean overheat...i mean a little past the halfway point on the gauge. Once i get some open road it cools right back down. Thanx for the replies. Now im going to try to find an fsm to buy on that unnamed site
p.s. i did do quite a few searches but didnt realize about the advanced option/archive search...ill try that next
thanx again
p.s. i did do quite a few searches but didnt realize about the advanced option/archive search...ill try that next
thanx again
Last edited by jm22876; Jun 12, 2008 at 09:29 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 988
Likes: 7
From: Sarasota Fl
the fsm is the first thing on my list to buy for the car. The car came with the hayes manual but that is quite limited. As for the acc it doesnt do anything productive at all besides illuminate when i turn on the headlights. No matter what button i hit nothing happens. I only bought the car 2 days ago but i am already addicted to driving it. I really dont know why i waited so long to buy one. Also one other question...when youre in the city is it common for the car to heat up...i dont mean overheat...i mean a little past the halfway point on the gauge. Once i get some open road it cools right back down. Thanx for the replies. Now im going to try to find an fsm to buy on that unnamed site
p.s. i did do quite a few searches but didnt realize about the advanced option/archive search...ill try that next
thanx again
p.s. i did do quite a few searches but didnt realize about the advanced option/archive search...ill try that next
thanx again
), but its free so how can you complain?As for the overheating, just look at the multiple open threads in the tech/performance section. Yes, if you are in stop-and-go traffic / city driving the car will get hotter. As more air cools the engine at highway speeds, the temperature will lower. The fans should kick in when it gets hot enough (not sure of the exact temps) and having the a/c on helps cool the car in city traffic (surprisingly). I hope I don't get crucified for any info I just gave you.
Aren't they just awesome cars - even if they do have a quirk here and there.
I'm sure no matter the economy I will always have a vette in the garage - driving any other car just depresses me now! Jonathan