Cost to replace '96 AC vent controller
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
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Cost to replace '96 AC vent controller
I'm not sure what the correct name of the part is, but it's the part under the dash that directs air flow for heat/ac. It hasn't worked in a long time on my '96. The air blows through the defroster vents and the vents under the dash. Nothing ever comes through the dash vents. I wouldn't be doing this job myself, so I'm wondering if anyone has had it done by a repair shop, and what the cost was. I know it's a major undertaking, so I would expect the cost to be well over $1000. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Also, if anyone knows of a reputable Corvette mechanic in the north central Florida area I would like their contact info. I'm in Leesburg, between Ocala and Orlando. Thanks again.
Also, if anyone knows of a reputable Corvette mechanic in the north central Florida area I would like their contact info. I'm in Leesburg, between Ocala and Orlando. Thanks again.
Last edited by dlt4; Oct 2, 2021 at 02:21 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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The programmer is different for C60 (manual AC) and C68 (Auto AC), it's generally thought it's a programmer issue for controls. Is yours C60 or C68? I'd think you could likely accomplish diagnostics your self. Do you have the FSM - Factory Service Manual for your '96? Programmer is somewhat remote of the A/C-Heater Module.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
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From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Why can't you do it yourself ? It actually is an easy fix. 1996 Corvettes have a one year only issue. In the vacuum diverter box that is up and to the right of the gas pedal, the vacuum line goes in and on the output manifold (actually a small injected plastic part) Chevy/GM engineers decided to put little rubber nipples on the output connections. The fix is to trim the nipples OR
to insert brass tubes preventing them from pulling shut.
My '96 has this issue as well. We are going to fix it when we redo the dash. It would have been fixed this summer, but family/health issues got in the way of me working on my car.
Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-problem.html
to insert brass tubes preventing them from pulling shut.
My '96 has this issue as well. We are going to fix it when we redo the dash. It would have been fixed this summer, but family/health issues got in the way of me working on my car.
Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-problem.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Why can't you do it yourself ? It actually is an easy fix. 1996 Corvettes have a one year only issue. In the vacuum diverter box that is up and to the right of the gas pedal, the vacuum line goes in and on the output manifold (actually a small injected plastic part) Chevy/GM engineers decided to put little rubber nipples on the output connections. The fix is to trim the nipples OR
to insert brass tubes preventing them from pulling shut.
My '96 has this issue as well. We are going to fix it when we redo the dash. It would have been fixed this summer, but family/health issues got in the way of me working on my car.
Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-problem.html
to insert brass tubes preventing them from pulling shut.
My '96 has this issue as well. We are going to fix it when we redo the dash. It would have been fixed this summer, but family/health issues got in the way of me working on my car.
Read this:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...l-problem.html
Being 74, my days of crawling under dashboards are over. Plus I sometimes have vertigo problems when I get my head upside down. So this fix isn't something I can do.
The programmer is different for C60 (manual AC) and C68 (Auto AC), it's generally thought it's a programmer issue for controls. Is yours C60 or C68? I'd think you could likely accomplish diagnostics your self. Do you have the FSM - Factory Service Manual for your '96? Programmer is somewhat remote of the A/C-Heater Module.
I've had the LT4 for 21 years, but I am at a decision point about selling the car. I live in FL so not having properly functioning AC is a big problem. Trying to find out how much this problem would cost to have fixed is part of my decision process.
In addition to this problem, the controller on the dashboard doesn't function right either. Buttons are very intermittent, have to push them a lot to get them to work. I've watched a video on the forum about how it can be removed and the contacts cleaned up to fix the issue. I can do that myself, but not going to mess with it unless I keep the car.
Decisions, decisions! Thanks for your replies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
You know there must be quite a few Corvette Clubs in Florida. Try getting in touch with a few clubs. They are often an excellent source for finding a reliable vette mechanic. There does come a time in all of our lives .... when bending and contorting just get to be too much.
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Instructor
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Thanks for the suggestion. I have thought about contacting a club but I think the bottom line at this point is I don’t want to sink a lot of money into it. I haven’t driven it much the last five years and I don’t think I would drive it much more even if the AC is working perfectly.
