C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

rebuilt fx3 actuator problem with retainer clip engaged

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 7, 2009 | 07:17 AM
  #1  
dailo's Avatar
dailo
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Default rebuilt fx3 actuator problem with retainer clip engaged

I have a 91 vette and just got my fx3 actuator rebuilt by captain zcnc.
replaced it this morning, and all was ok for about 15 minutes when the light came back on with a code 14.

i pulled the actuator, and the shock is only a year old, and the nut at the top spins only 160 degrees.

i then fooled around with the actuator, and left it on without the retainer clip, turned the key on, and the service ride control light went away.

put the retainer clip back on, and the light came back. seems to want to malfunction when its fully seated against the suspension, any ideas as to why are much appreciated!

thanks!
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2009 | 11:44 AM
  #2  
frenchyoliver's Avatar
frenchyoliver
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
From: Delray beach FL
Default

got the same problem.
Try to rotate the actuator by one clic on the retainer clip.
That s help.
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2009 | 03:07 PM
  #3  
secondchance's Avatar
secondchance
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 59
From: McLean Va
Default

Originally Posted by dailo
I have a 91 vette and just got my fx3 actuator rebuilt by captain zcnc.
replaced it this morning, and all was ok for about 15 minutes when the light came back on with a code 14.

i pulled the actuator, and the shock is only a year old, and the nut at the top spins only 160 degrees.

i then fooled around with the actuator, and left it on without the retainer clip, turned the key on, and the service ride control light went away.

put the retainer clip back on, and the light came back. seems to want to malfunction when its fully seated against the suspension, any ideas as to why are much appreciated!

thanks!
It sounds like you are talking about front actuators.
It may be possible that your rubber grommet under the metal cup has shrunk over the years allowing shock gear to protrude excessively in to planetary gear in the actuator.
Perhaps (I never tried this but...) a large steel washer over the rubber grommet before installing the metal cup will recess the shock gear just enough relative to the actuator planetary gear. Worth a shot...
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2009 | 01:42 AM
  #4  
dailo's Avatar
dailo
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Default

Tried adding a washer on top of the rubber grommet. and tightened the bolt back up.

I just wanted to clarify, that the car or spring does not need to be jacked up to tighten the bolt back? (The garage i went to didnt do that, they just used a large wrench to hold the metal plate below the cup and remove the screw)

After that was done, the light has now gone off, and the actuator seems to seat properly (the shock gear was around 6mm, probably too high?)

The rubber grommet is falling apart, should i look into replacing that?

Thanks guys!
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2009 | 12:48 PM
  #5  
secondchance's Avatar
secondchance
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 59
From: McLean Va
Default

Originally Posted by dailo
Tried adding a washer on top of the rubber grommet. and tightened the bolt back up.

I just wanted to clarify, that the car or spring does not need to be jacked up to tighten the bolt back? (The garage i went to didnt do that, they just used a large wrench to hold the metal plate below the cup and remove the screw)

After that was done, the light has now gone off, and the actuator seems to seat properly (the shock gear was around 6mm, probably too high?)

The rubber grommet is falling apart, should i look into replacing that?

Thanks guys!
Car does not have to be jacked up to service cup/actuator.
If the grommet is falling apart, I would definitely replace them.
I am glad to be of help!

Last edited by secondchance; Oct 8, 2009 at 12:51 PM.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2009 | 02:35 PM
  #6  
dailo's Avatar
dailo
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Default

Hah, weirdest thing now, when getting into the car, if you start the car right away, the src light comes on and wont go off, but if you turn the key to on, and let all the lights cycle through, the src light comes on then goes off after the system check....

ahhh its driving me crazy haha...

could the actuator, gear, and cup be out of alignment with each other?

the washer was added under the rubber grommet.

thanks again!
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2009 | 11:11 AM
  #7  
secondchance's Avatar
secondchance
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 59
From: McLean Va
Default

Originally Posted by dailo
Hah, weirdest thing now, when getting into the car, if you start the car right away, the src light comes on and wont go off, but if you turn the key to on, and let all the lights cycle through, the src light comes on then goes off after the system check....

ahhh its driving me crazy haha...

could the actuator, gear, and cup be out of alignment with each other?

the washer was added under the rubber grommet.

thanks again!
I am puzzled also.
Last time I replaced 2 broken gears, light stayed on even after service. Made me think I needed a new actuator. The next day, after cycling, light turned off. For 4 months it has been working perfect.
I simply thank Corvette God and let it go.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2009 | 11:04 AM
  #8  
dailo's Avatar
dailo
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Default

Haha...
well the light wants to come on upon start up with a code 14, but goes away sometimes after 1 second of driving, sometimes 5 minutes, sometimes never!

thinking im needing a new grommet.. will try that, any idea who carries them?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 11, 2009 | 11:45 AM
  #9  
aboatguy's Avatar
aboatguy
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by dailo
Haha...
well the light wants to come on upon start up with a code 14, but goes away sometimes after 1 second of driving, sometimes 5 minutes, sometimes never!

thinking im needing a new grommet.. will try that, any idea who carries them?
Google this and you will see multiple choices:

fx3 grommets

Mike
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To rebuilt fx3 actuator problem with retainer clip engaged





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:07 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE