Couple interior questions.
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5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
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Couple interior questions.
New owner here!!! Just bought a 99 C5 about a week and a half ago and am super stoked about it.
I was pulling apart the dash to install a direct iPod hookup and managed to crack the piece around the radio. Just wondering where to find another? I'm not interested in anything carbon right now, just looking to replace the original.
Also, there is a cover to the left of the ignition switch with a screw for the center trim piece behind it. What is the plug that is behind this cover?
Dimmer question... Is there a way to brighten the gauges without the headlights on? Is it normal for the dimmer switch to only function when the headlights are on and for the gauges to have no backlight when the headlights are off.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me. Rob
I was pulling apart the dash to install a direct iPod hookup and managed to crack the piece around the radio. Just wondering where to find another? I'm not interested in anything carbon right now, just looking to replace the original.
Also, there is a cover to the left of the ignition switch with a screw for the center trim piece behind it. What is the plug that is behind this cover?
Dimmer question... Is there a way to brighten the gauges without the headlights on? Is it normal for the dimmer switch to only function when the headlights are on and for the gauges to have no backlight when the headlights are off.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me. Rob
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Pooler GA.
New owner here!!! Just bought a 99 C5 about a week and a half ago and am super stoked about it.
I was pulling apart the dash to install a direct iPod hookup and managed to crack the piece around the radio. Just wondering where to find another? I'm not interested in anything carbon right now, just looking to replace the original.
Also, there is a cover to the left of the ignition switch with a screw for the center trim piece behind it. What is the plug that is behind this cover?
Dimmer question... Is there a way to brighten the gauges without the headlights on? Is it normal for the dimmer switch to only function when the headlights are on and for the gauges to have no backlight when the headlights are off.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me. Rob
I was pulling apart the dash to install a direct iPod hookup and managed to crack the piece around the radio. Just wondering where to find another? I'm not interested in anything carbon right now, just looking to replace the original.
Also, there is a cover to the left of the ignition switch with a screw for the center trim piece behind it. What is the plug that is behind this cover?
Dimmer question... Is there a way to brighten the gauges without the headlights on? Is it normal for the dimmer switch to only function when the headlights are on and for the gauges to have no backlight when the headlights are off.
Thanks in advance for any insight you can give me. Rob
Welcome to the forum! Isn't a great feeling to own a Vette!
I can help you with this question ---> there is a cover to the left of the ignition switch with a screw for the center trim piece behind it. What is the plug that is behind this cover?
I believe that plug is the temperature sensor for the interior temp reading.
Jimmy
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Burning Brakes
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No backlight w/o headlight on this car. If you have trouble seeing the gauges during the day, it's probably cause your windows are tinted. Whenever the sun is right overhead or in front of me, I can't see my gauges with the windows because of the dark tinting. I've learned to rely on the HUD though.
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If I read your question correctly you've cracked the actual radio bezel? If so, contact Dennis at Double DIN mods (Forum Vendor). Dennis fabricates bezels for Double DIN audio systems so he can probably repair your bezel.
The small grill next to the ignition switch is the inside air temperature sensor. The sensor has a connector behind which hooks into the PCM. The black wire that connects to the ingnition barrel is the conector for the vehicle anti theft system.
Here's the extract describing how the interior lights work:
Instrument Panel Brightness Control.
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights. The **** for this feature is located on the left side of the instrument panel. Push and release the **** and it will pop out. Turn the **** clockwise to brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim them. Be sure not to have this **** turned all the way down with the lamps on during the day. Your Driver Information Center (DIC) may not be visible.
Parade Mode
The instrument panel brightness **** has an added feature called parade mode to assist you in seeing certain instrument panel controls if your headlamps are on in the daylight. Turn the **** counterclockwise to dim the instrument panel lights or clockwise to brighten the lights. This will occur only with the parking lamps or headlamps on.
HTH. Enjoy the car
The small grill next to the ignition switch is the inside air temperature sensor. The sensor has a connector behind which hooks into the PCM. The black wire that connects to the ingnition barrel is the conector for the vehicle anti theft system.
Here's the extract describing how the interior lights work:
Instrument Panel Brightness Control.
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights. The **** for this feature is located on the left side of the instrument panel. Push and release the **** and it will pop out. Turn the **** clockwise to brighten the lights or counterclockwise to dim them. Be sure not to have this **** turned all the way down with the lamps on during the day. Your Driver Information Center (DIC) may not be visible.
Parade Mode
The instrument panel brightness **** has an added feature called parade mode to assist you in seeing certain instrument panel controls if your headlamps are on in the daylight. Turn the **** counterclockwise to dim the instrument panel lights or clockwise to brighten the lights. This will occur only with the parking lamps or headlamps on.
HTH. Enjoy the car
Last edited by DeeGee; Sep 20, 2011 at 01:36 AM.
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You'll see used radio bezels in the C5 Parts for Sale section often - but be warned, they go fast if they are in good shape. I've been trying to find one for a while. As an alternative, you can get a new one from places like Parts Taxi or gmpartshouse.com.
