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Hello everyone! Just purchased my very first Corvette today, a fine 1996 Convertible.
I am thrilled with the purchase, can't even sleep since I purchased it yesterday and now today is my birthday, so I'm hoping I got enough juice to make it thru the day! LOL
I was just wondering if anyone in here had any pointers for me, as this is my first C4, well I should say my first ever Corvette! I'm a certified Master Mechanic out of Michigan, so I'm not exactly chopped liver, but there is always them little things about any particular car that it's better to hear about before they happen, even if you are a mechanic.
That said, I look forward to chatting in the future. What I have noticed that seems odd to me is that these cars will run in the 220 degree range on 95 degree days in stop and go traffic. Sort of scared me at first, and to be honest, even if it is normal I am seriously considering a thermostat and or radiator upgrade just because it makes me nervous. What do you guys think?
This is me when I picked it up at the dealership yesterday. I was feeling on top of the world in this photo, and to be honest I still cant shake that feeling despite not having a wink of sleep last night because I had to keep going outside to look at it, as if maybe I was dreaming.
Congrats on the C4, it looks great. Make sure to post more pics
They do run hotter. I believe the cooling fans go on approx. at 228 and off at 235. You can also check and clean at the bottom of the radiator in between the condenser. They collect a lot of crap in there.
Thanks for the complements and advice guys! I have found that using the AC in stop and go traffic keeps the temps in a more reasonable range due to the fans operating at high speed in AC mode.
I purchased this Corvette at a Chevy Dealership here in the township, they were pretty cool and we pretty much finagled over the price for two months before finally the day before my birthday they struck a deal and the Corvette was mine. They are really good guys over there at Lou LaRiche in Plymouth. Feel they gave me a very fair price, got me financing on a 20+ year old vehicle and I've been quite happy with the purchase thus far! I'd highly recommend this dealer to anyone in the area.
The details are as followed, 1996 Chevy Corvette Convertible with 40k miles and automatic transmission. It's not the fastest thing in the world but it's a lot of fun to drive.
Having to work thru some issues here and there, some cosmetic such as the little side flaps that Velcro on the convertible top, and maybe some weather-strip next year.
I'm also having an odd problem with my vents only working in the floor and defrost, still trying to ferret that problem out. Also had a leaky high side adapter for the AC, amazing they just use a little plastic ball to seal that and over time it gets hard and the AC hook up will cause it to tear and it will create a slow leak. I have found these part numbers for the AC high side hose adapter if anyone need them
Dorman 800-955
Murray 59946
About $5 for either one. Pretty easy fix with a 5/8 12 point socket and a 16mm wrench once the system is sucked down. So I got one issue solved with the beast, just have to figure out these vents staying stuck in defrost and floor and ill be all set on that front.
The other issue I have is the stock radio. It's not bad, but I really need a new unit to accept my iPhone but I am curious if aftermarket radios will work with the Delco Bose speakers?
Here are some more photos
This one is of the wife when she requisitioned the keys yesterday. I tried to put up a fight but lost.
And these are pretty much the ones the dealership took that I was drooling over the past two months
What I have noticed that seems odd to me is that these cars will run in the 220 degree range on 95 degree days in stop and go traffic. Sort of scared me at first, and to be honest, even if it is normal I am seriously considering a thermostat and or radiator upgrade just because it makes me nervous. What do you guys think?
Welcome to the forum and the temp is normal in stop and go traffic. That's the way they were designed to run. Keep your cooling system up and insure your fans are running correctly. I would not alter the thermostat range as all you'll do is make it take longer to get up to operating system.
Plan on needing maintenance along the way, again it's a 20 year old car.
Thanks everyone! I posted some more photos and details a few hours ago, still waiting for the response to get "moderator" approval I guess. Didn't want you guys to think I was holding out on ya'.
Congrats, and happy birthday. Welcome to the hobby.
A few C4-specific pointers and tips, since you asked:
1. Don't use the steering wheel to heave yourself out of the car, or lower yourself into it. The tilt mechanism isn't robust enough to withstand a lot of that.
2. Don't drop the hood with the doors open. If you do, you'll risk chipping the paint on either the doors or the hood, or both.
3. The door panels have stiffening ribs on the upper half of their backsides. If you apply a lot of downward pressure on the armrest, you'll break these ribs, and the top of the panel will not stay hooked over the door frame. So don't use the armrest to raise your butt off of the seat while you're in the car, etc.
4. The interior will thank you if you minimize the amount of time it sits baking in the hot sun. I use sun shields on the inside of all of the windows when I have to leave the car parked outdoors.
5. Don't wash the engine. The Optispark distributor doesn't like to get douched. It lives under and behind the water pump. It's costly to replace, and some of the replacement units that are available are of suspect quality. Keep the garden hose at bay unless the hood is down.
6. Keep the fuel fill drain clear. If it clogs, rainwater may get into the tank. A regular burst of compressed air will keep it flowing freely.
7. These cars are bottom-feeders. They draw their cooling air entirely from beneath the front bumper. They will suck damned near anything into the cooling stack. Check for debris in there now, clean it out as necessary, and consider adding a screen over the opening to keep some of this stuff out of there in the future.
8. Yes, the operating temperature of these cars will drift surprisingly high when they're idling, or in stop/go traffic. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can bring them down by installing a lower temp thermostat and lowering the fan-on settings. I did this on my '94, and it runs MUCH cooler now. Others here will argue this point, but I like it much better this way. It gives the system more headroom before an overheat can occur, giving me extra moments to get safely off the highway before a meltdown. And the various underhood soft parts and expensive electronic components thank me for it.
9. As you're an ASE certified master tech (so am I), you'll definitely do well to get a set of the factory service manuals for your car. These cars are complex machines, and the factory service manuals contain a wealth of information about them. They're worth far more than you'll pay for them.
I'm sure there's plenty more that isn't coming immediately to mind at this time, but this will get you started, and I'm sure others will chime in with more.
I'll close by mentioning that there is a lot of experience and good advice to be had here on this forum. And, as is the case with everything else on the internet, there's also bad advice flying around here from time to time. You'll figure out how to tell the difference.
Good luck with the new toy, and enjoy it to the fullest. Life is short.
Congrats, and happy birthday. Welcome to the hobby.
A few C4-specific pointers and tips, since you asked:
1. Don't use the steering wheel to heave yourself out of the car, or lower yourself into it. The tilt mechanism isn't robust enough to withstand a lot of that.
2. Don't drop the hood with the doors open. If you do, you'll risk chipping the paint on either the doors or the hood, or both.
3. The door panels have stiffening ribs on the upper half of their backsides. If you apply a lot of downward pressure on the armrest, you'll break these ribs, and the top of the panel will not stay hooked over the door frame. So don't use the armrest to raise your butt off of the seat while you're in the car, etc.
4. The interior will thank you if you minimize the amount of time it sits baking in the hot sun. I use sun shields on the inside of all of the windows when I have to leave the car parked outdoors.
5. Don't wash the engine. The Optispark distributor doesn't like to get douched. It lives under and behind the water pump. It's costly to replace, and some of the replacement units that are available are of suspect quality. Keep the garden hose at bay unless the hood is down.
6. Keep the fuel fill drain clear. If it clogs, rainwater may get into the tank. A regular burst of compressed air will keep it flowing freely.
7. These cars are bottom-feeders. They draw their cooling air entirely from beneath the front bumper. They will suck damned near anything into the cooling stack. Check for debris in there now, clean it out as necessary, and consider adding a screen over the opening to keep some of this stuff out of there in the future.
8. Yes, the operating temperature of these cars will drift surprisingly high when they're idling, or in stop/go traffic. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can bring them down by installing a lower temp thermostat and lowering the fan-on settings. I did this on my '94, and it runs MUCH cooler now. Others here will argue this point, but I like it much better this way. It gives the system more headroom before an overheat can occur, giving me extra moments to get safely off the highway before a meltdown. And the various underhood soft parts and expensive electronic components thank me for it.
9. As you're an ASE certified master tech (so am I), you'll definitely do well to get a set of the factory service manuals for your car. These cars are complex machines, and the factory service manuals contain a wealth of information about them. They're worth far more than you'll pay for them.
I'm sure there's plenty more that isn't coming immediately to mind at this time, but this will get you started, and I'm sure others will chime in with more.
I'll close by mentioning that there is a lot of experience and good advice to be had here on this forum. And, as is the case with everything else on the internet, there's also bad advice flying around here from time to time. You'll figure out how to tell the difference.
Good luck with the new toy, and enjoy it to the fullest. Life is short.
Live well,
SJW
Thanks for the advice! It's greatly appreciated!
I used to do the ASE thing, but since I live in Michigan they require you pay them a fee every year, so I just stick with the State tests because I hate paying for things twice. Although I am finding in my old age I like to show off a little so maybe I'll flip them some extra cash and double down. Here in Michigan you have to be certified by the state to work on vehicles for compensation. I've done both test and trust me, I think the state gets their test from the ASE.
Anyway, I'm still happy with my purchase. In a few days once the newness wears off I am going to look into why the vents are only working on defrost and floor. I been reading in the forum and it seems there is some kind of module that connects to the vacuum lines that control the operation of the HVAC doors.
Also going to be looking around on eBay and such for a double din radio and adapter harness. The only thing I am curious about is this Delco Gold Bose setup.. Anyone got any info on if the speakers can be used with a regular head unit?
Thanks guys, I've noticed some changes every since I got my Corvette, most of them for the better... Some of them I don't think I should talk about in open forum! LOL
Anyway, I'm still happy with my purchase. In a few days once the newness wears off I am going to look into why the vents are only working on defrost and floor. I been reading in the forum and it seems there is some kind of module that connects to the vacuum lines that control the operation of the HVAC.
Welcome to the C4 club. This is a common problem on the 96. That module is the AC programmer it's on the firewall right a above the accelerator pedal. The problem is inside the unit the nipples that run to the vacuum lines are collapsing. You need to trim them back to hard plastic then it should work as it should
Last edited by Goldcylon; Jul 29, 2016 at 06:49 PM.
Hey SELLC -
Welcome! The A/C vent problem is a well discussed topic. The 96's had a problem with a poorly manufactured vacuum connector at the A/C programmer up under the dash above the accelerator pedal. See this thread - page back to the 3rd page or so.
Also going to be looking around on eBay and such for a double din radio and adapter harness. The only thing I am curious about is this Delco Gold Bose setup.. Anyone got any info on if the speakers can be used with a regular head unit?
Thanks guys, I've noticed some changes every since I got my Corvette, most of them for the better... Some of them I don't think I should talk about in open forum! LOL
SELLC : Don't waste time on Ebay. Go to Crutchfield.com they have GREAT technicians and advisors and they sell everything you need.
There is a little blue plastic box made by Scosche that I think crutchfield includes in their installation kit that is basically to reduce the levels to the Bose speakers as they have their own amplifiers. But based on my experience, old bose is JUNK. I replaced mine with Kicker front and rear speakers and a new head unit for under $300. Blue tooth, Aux port, remote, 4x 50w EQ and more. They have head units for every budget. They will sell you an installation kit along with wiring harness adapter so you can use the existing wiring.
Hardest part was getting the speakers out of the door for me.
The rears were easy and the head unit was straight forward once I took off all the required dash trim on my 88.
I liked them so much, I bought a kit for my son's truck and it was a painless install too
I also upgraded my audio unit. I went to a local auto stereo shop where I have had several vehicles done and I trust the guy. I also wanted bells & whistles so I could plug in a Sirius tuner I have and bind my iPhone via Bluetooth.
I got an inexpensive JVC unit. The tech also had an adapter harness that was plug and play (no splicing the factory harness), and an adapter for mounting the new unit. The whole thing was less than $200 installed, including the hands free microphone installed near the driver's sunshade.
.
Frankly, my 96 base coupe with about 120K miles is pretty loud on the inside with basic road noise. Don't expect that spending a bundle on an upgrade will give you an audiophile experience. I mostly listen to sports radio on AM, and occasionally my Sirius tuner when traveling.
I still have the factory Bose unit, and can replace the JVC head unit if necessary.
Hello everyone! Just purchased my very first Corvette today, a fine 1996 Convertible.
I am thrilled with the purchase, can't even sleep since I purchased it yesterday and now today is my birthday, so I'm hoping I got enough juice to make it thru the day! LOL
I was just wondering if anyone in here had any pointers for me, as this is my first C4, well I should say my first ever Corvette! I'm a certified Master Mechanic out of Michigan, so I'm not exactly chopped liver, but there is always them little things about any particular car that it's better to hear about before they happen, even if you are a mechanic.
That said, I look forward to chatting in the future. What I have noticed that seems odd to me is that these cars will run in the 220 degree range on 95 degree days in stop and go traffic. Sort of scared me at first, and to be honest, even if it is normal I am seriously considering a thermostat and or radiator upgrade just because it makes me nervous. What do you guys think?
This is me when I picked it up at the dealership yesterday. I was feeling on top of the world in this photo, and to be honest I still cant shake that feeling despite not having a wink of sleep last night because I had to keep going outside to look at it, as if maybe I was dreaming.
nice car i am also a new vette owner picked mine up last year 86 pace car with a 102.000 klm enjoy the car .as i have a 72 triumph spitfire and since driving the vette its been driven 3 times since last year welcome
Great information everyone! I really appreciate it!
Felt like I nearly drove the wheels off the Corvette last week, I literally could not stop driving it! LOL, I must have driven to Detroit and back 4 times since buying the car last Wednesday! I'm not even kidding!
Defiantly will look into Crutchfield, would like to stick with Kenwood or Alpine myself, but the JVC unit almost looks exactly like the Kenwood unit I have had my eye on for $129 w/ free shipping (Bluetooth version). I am going to have to mull over what Ill do for speakers, but I defiantly would like to get rid of the Bose and go with some component speakers with maybe a small bazooka tube. Not sure on speaker sizes or any kits sold for speakers but I am going to check that out. Seems like there are only 4 in my car, two in the back and two down by your feet, is that about right?
This week sometime I will pull down that HVAC controller and post my findings. Keeping fingers crossed for an easy repair.
first off! I'll buy the radio, speakers and amp from you if you want to sell them.
Now, nice car 40k miles...it's brand new. PS you have a wife? Kiss your Corvette convertible goodbye I know from experience you will never get it away from her
One very good habit to develop is LISTENING for the cooling fans to kick in. Do not shut the car off if the cooling fans are active, allow them to pull the temperature down until they shut off. Then turn the engine off.
A good investment is wire in a fan that will run after the car is turned off to drain the heat out of the rad and circulate air over the engine.
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Just purchased my first ever Corvette!
