FX3 Shock Question
Thread Starter
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'09
FX3 Shock Question
Does anyone know which way is soft, and which is firm on the top gear? (Clockwise - or counterclockwise?)
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: FX3 Shock Question (RandyVettes)
My service manual doesn't show which direction is soft or firm, but the total range of travel in supposed to be only 90 degrees. Are you attempting to manually set the shocks??
If any error code is set such as the result of a bad actuator or broken gear on the shock rod, the system will use a default setting for the other shocks (Performance setting) and will not change the settings regardless of the position of the console switch or from vehicle speed input.
If any error code is set such as the result of a bad actuator or broken gear on the shock rod, the system will use a default setting for the other shocks (Performance setting) and will not change the settings regardless of the position of the console switch or from vehicle speed input.
Thread Starter
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: FX3 Shock Question (c4cruiser)
Here's my deal; I bought 4 used FX3 shocks and wanted to set them all to the softest setting before I install them in case my electronics dont work. The car had the FX3 from the factory but the last owner tossed the shocks. The actuators are still there, I just dont know what to expect once I get everything installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,276
Likes: 3
From: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Re: FX3 Shock Question (RandyVettes)
Just put them on. The acuators reset themselves everytime the key is turned on, even if the engine is not started.
BTY the range of movement is 160 degrees.
BTY the range of movement is 160 degrees.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: FX3 Shock Question (Z-07 freak)
Make sure that you have the proper generation of FX3 shock for your car. The range of movement is ~160 degrees for the '89 to '91 shocks and ~90 degrees for the '92-'95 version. The actuators are universal and will work with any version shock, but the control module that drives the system is not. If you have the 2nd generation shock in a pre '92 vette, the controller will probably try and drive the gear 160 degrees. This might cause the gear and/or the actuator to break.
[Modified by sraft, 4:03 PM 4/9/2004]
[Modified by sraft, 4:03 PM 4/9/2004]
Thread Starter
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: FX3 Shock Question (Z-07 freak)
I have heard the info before on the 90 vs 180 degree shocks. Mine turn 180. Aside from one broken actuator my FX3 system now appears to be complete. (I just installed 4 correct shocks). Three shocks are plugged in, and the control module under the drivers side rear storage compartment is there and plugged in (always has been), but the lamp in the DIC never comes on, not even for a second when I start the car. The last owner removed the stock FX3 shocks, but left everything else in place as far as I can tell. He must have done something to stop the DIC light from staying on once he unplugged the old shocks no? Or would the computer even know whether the shocks were there as long as the actuators were all still plugged in? Is there a fuse or relay somewhere I am overlooking? Should the light for selective ride control come on in the DIC when you start the car? The car came from GM with FX3 and hasn't been butchered. I'd like to get this working again without paying a dealer to figure it out. Anyone?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,276
Likes: 3
From: Why are there squished peanut butter cups in my underware?
Re: FX3 Shock Question (RandyVettes)
Connect a good acuator to the drivers side front (meaning - connect the wire assembly part, but don't attach it to the top of the shock). Reach in, or have someone else turn the key on, (you don't need to start it) and watch the inside part (female plastic crown gear) rotate in two directions. If it does this ok, then the FX-3 module/control should be working ok, and most likely the previous owner who removed the original shocks also may have removed the DIC light.
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Thread Starter
Life's Short. Drive Hard.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,851
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'09
Re: FX3 Shock Question (Z-07 freak)
I don't know why I didn't think of that! I love you guys ! It works - woohoo! So - then I took apart the DIC to see if the bulb was burnt or missing for the ride control light. Its all fixed and back together but NOW - my Airbag light wont go off!!! Any ideas?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: FX3 Shock Question (Z-07 freak)
Z-07 freak,
I have 3 shocks sitting on my workbench that have 90 degree rotation of that gear. Two of them are off a '92.
When I bough my car it had 2 busted actuators and broken shock gears. I've been incrementally replacing the parts and collecting spares. I've also been trying to build up a database of information in hopes of eventually writing up a tech tip on the topic.
I have 3 shocks sitting on my workbench that have 90 degree rotation of that gear. Two of them are off a '92.
When I bough my car it had 2 busted actuators and broken shock gears. I've been incrementally replacing the parts and collecting spares. I've also been trying to build up a database of information in hopes of eventually writing up a tech tip on the topic.
