'93 FX3 Service Light
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu HI
'93 FX3 Service Light
Has anyone experienced the service light for the FX3 suspension on a '93 coupe coming on? If so, what were the cause(s), solution, and price for the repair?
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (split-end)
You will need access to grounding plugs or a code reader to determine what trouble codes have been set resulting in the service light being displayed. Here is a list of FX3 codes:
13 - left rear time out
14 - right front time out
21 - left front time out
22 - right rear time out
23 - loss of vehicle speed signal
31 - left front out of position
32 - right front out of position
33 - left rear out of position
34 - right rear out of position
41 - selective ride control switch short circuit to B positive
42 - selective ride control switch open contact (note: fault code 42 can be set if the selective ride switch is not properly positioned in one of the three detent positions.)
43 - selective ride control switch open circuit
I can only convey the codes and related causes. I'm not smart enough to define a solution or estimate repair costs.
[Modified by Oldman, 6:32 PM 5/22/2003]
13 - left rear time out
14 - right front time out
21 - left front time out
22 - right rear time out
23 - loss of vehicle speed signal
31 - left front out of position
32 - right front out of position
33 - left rear out of position
34 - right rear out of position
41 - selective ride control switch short circuit to B positive
42 - selective ride control switch open contact (note: fault code 42 can be set if the selective ride switch is not properly positioned in one of the three detent positions.)
43 - selective ride control switch open circuit
I can only convey the codes and related causes. I'm not smart enough to define a solution or estimate repair costs.
[Modified by Oldman, 6:32 PM 5/22/2003]
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (Oldman)
You get the codes by grounding pins a and c. (I do it with a paper clip). Then read the blinks that the service ride control light blinks. You can also pull the retaining clip on the front acturators, then turn ignition to on and see if acturators move. Also see if gears broken off in acturator. This gets you started. I am working on mine also. Light comes on.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (Oldman)
You get the codes by grounding pins a and c. (I do it with a paper clip). Then read the blinks that the service ride control light blinks. You can also pull the retaining clip on the front actuators, then turn ignition to on and see if actuators move. Also see if gears broken off in actuator. This gets you started. I am working on mine also. Light comes on.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (split-end)
When you read the blinks, the codes will repeat three times. The first code will be a self-test code of 12. It appears as "blink (1)- pause- blink blink (2)" and repeats itself 2 more times. Then you will get the code for the problem in the same fashion. The first number then the second number then repeated for a total of 3 times. You can have more than one code set so make sure you get them all. Make sure you ground pins A and C before you turn the ignition to "RUN" but don't start the engine.
Also, if you start the engine three times without moving the car, the SRC light will come on and set a code 23. Once you move the car, the light will go out but the code will stay in history.
If the shock is bad, Bilstein can rebuild them with stock valving or a custom valving. Call them at 1-800-537-1085. The cost will be substantially less than the close to $200 per shock retail costs. Actuators can be fairly expensive to replace.
The Bilstein shocks are designed to have more oil than necessary in them. A slight film of oil on the outside of the shock is normal. If you have a wet stream of oil, then rebuilding (or replacement) is going to be necessary.
Also, if you start the engine three times without moving the car, the SRC light will come on and set a code 23. Once you move the car, the light will go out but the code will stay in history.
If the shock is bad, Bilstein can rebuild them with stock valving or a custom valving. Call them at 1-800-537-1085. The cost will be substantially less than the close to $200 per shock retail costs. Actuators can be fairly expensive to replace.
The Bilstein shocks are designed to have more oil than necessary in them. A slight film of oil on the outside of the shock is normal. If you have a wet stream of oil, then rebuilding (or replacement) is going to be necessary.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (c4cruiser)
When I took my actuator off each of the front shocks the motor worked, but both had broken selector gears in the retainer cup assembly. Is the retainer cup assembly part of the actuator or part of the shock? Can it be fixed without replacing shock or actuator?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (DocToss)
Is the retainer cup assembly on the shock a part of the shock or a part of the actuator on the fx3? The gears in the retainer assembly are broken, but the motor in the actuator still moves. Do I need to replace the shock, actuator, or both? Thanks, Tom
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 10,230
Likes: 885
From: Alexandria, Virginia, USA VA
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (DocToss)
twist the shock with your fingers with the actuator off. if it moves freely, the shock should be OK. if the gears are busted, typically you will need a new actuator although you can use some "toothed" terminals and modify them to try and rebuild the actuators. these little devils are high $$$ from the dealer and are getting hard to find. but since they are ez to change, and used ones are still around, I would go ahead and change the actuator.
I hit something on the road and busted the plastic "cup" that clips the actuators onto the shock on both the drivers front and rear!!
changing out the rear is a bit tougher, and you need to pull the shock so be sure you test the actuator before reinstalling the shock.
good luck!!
I hit something on the road and busted the plastic "cup" that clips the actuators onto the shock on both the drivers front and rear!!
changing out the rear is a bit tougher, and you need to pull the shock so be sure you test the actuator before reinstalling the shock.
good luck!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Memphis TN
Re: '93 FX3 Service Light (Rkreigh)
With the actuators off I cannot move the shock much at all. The motor in the actuator moves with start up. I think I will replace just the front shocks, clear the error codes, then see if the front ones give a code again. I want to see if the actuators are ok before I replace the rear shocks.