Looking for Reasonable Upgrade Ideas
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
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From: Bradenton, FL
Looking for Reasonable Upgrade Ideas
Long time reada, first time posta... (To be read with an old lady, east coast accent)
My wife will be laid up recovering from surgery for the next three weeks and I will have use of her vehicle. I have decided to use this opportunity to perform a little bit of work on the C5 daily driver. With a second vehicle, I won't feel pressured to get things done over the course of a weekend. I have a 2003 Mel Yellow Vert.
I have an HUD that needs attention. I am planning on removing the dash to perform the necessary exploration to determine if the unit is dead or has simply fallen down. While this is taken apart, I plan on sending my AC control to Custom LED Service to spruce up the display. Also looking at a double din conversion for the stereo.
Since I have the dash out, is there anything else for which I should be looking? Maybe not a mod, but a maintenance item?
My wife will be laid up recovering from surgery for the next three weeks and I will have use of her vehicle. I have decided to use this opportunity to perform a little bit of work on the C5 daily driver. With a second vehicle, I won't feel pressured to get things done over the course of a weekend. I have a 2003 Mel Yellow Vert.
I have an HUD that needs attention. I am planning on removing the dash to perform the necessary exploration to determine if the unit is dead or has simply fallen down. While this is taken apart, I plan on sending my AC control to Custom LED Service to spruce up the display. Also looking at a double din conversion for the stereo.
Since I have the dash out, is there anything else for which I should be looking? Maybe not a mod, but a maintenance item?
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You're hazard flasher unit is accessible if you have the dash out. Not saying to replace it for sure, but it would eliminate a second dash removal should the flasher go bad in the near future.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Bradenton, FL
Thanks Jack. I had that done by the stealership while I was overseas. I feel that there is a strong correlation to the HUD not working and that repair. HUD worked when I turned the vehicle over to a friend to mind (and had the flasher serviced...), didn't work when I got it back a couple of years later... Friend never paid the HUD any mind so didn't notice a difference...
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Bradenton, FL
Nice. This is a good idea. I need to look at the halo tail lights now. Excuse me...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
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From: Bradenton, FL
Has anyone done any work on the HVAC fan for the blower? Mine makes an awful racket at high. Was wondering if there are fixes or alternatives... Will look at the set up and determine if I can replace a bushing with a bearing maybe...
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Bradenton, FL
Are the actuators something to replace because the OEM were crap? Or is this the type of item that is only replaced when there is changes in the air flow? I'm not against replacing parts that are broken or substandard to begin with... I just hate replacing parts to replace them.
That being said, my air flow from the vents when set on the dash vents is mediocre at best. At this setting I still get air flow from the defrost vent to the windshield that causes fogging on the windshield here in the FL summer...
That being said, my air flow from the vents when set on the dash vents is mediocre at best. At this setting I still get air flow from the defrost vent to the windshield that causes fogging on the windshield here in the FL summer...
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From: NW Chicago Burbs
The blend door actuators control where the air flow goes, from defroster, dash, foot, etc. And the temperature blend for each zone. You can get them relatively inexpensively on Amazon and eBay once you track down the correct part number. The original actuators were unreliable and the large wheel tended to crack over time, rendering correct operation impossible. Nothing worse than being stuck on full HOT air in the dead of summer or visa versa. That can be a real headache. When they go, it's usually pretty sudden. So if you have the dash apart, you might as well do some preventive maintenance to avoid this.
Last edited by mrmagloo; Oct 21, 2016 at 11:05 AM.
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From: Orlando FL
The blend door actuators control where the air flow goes, from defroster, dash, foot, etc. And the temperature blend for each zone. You can get them relatively inexpensively on Amazon and eBay once you track down the correct part number. The original actuators were unreliable and the large wheel tended to crack over time, rendering correct operation impossible. Nothing worse than being stuck on full HOT air in the dead of summer or visa versa. That can be a real headache. When they go, it's usually pretty sudden. So if you have the dash apart, you might as well do some preventive maintenance to avoid this.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
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From: Bradenton, FL
The blend door actuators control where the air flow goes, from defroster, dash, foot, etc. And the temperature blend for each zone. You can get them relatively inexpensively on Amazon and eBay once you track down the correct part number. The original actuators were unreliable and the large wheel tended to crack over time, rendering correct operation impossible. Nothing worse than being stuck on full HOT air in the dead of summer or visa versa. That can be a real headache. When they go, it's usually pretty sudden. So if you have the dash apart, you might as well do some preventive maintenance to avoid this.
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Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Bonney Lake Washington
I did the led upgrade to the HVAC unit and am not super happy as they are very bright and the dimmer doesn't work with them. They are on or off, they are kind if distracting. That is my experience. Hope this helps
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Bradenton, FL
I seem to remember seeing a thread on the board about dimming and LEDs. My recollection was that the HVAC unit should dim. If there was an issue dimming, there was a short on the board somewhere... Will see if I can dig up the thread.
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From: Leesburg Fl
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The dimming of the ac display is caused by a break in the solder on the circuit board relays, easy fix to reflow the solder. Directions in the forum.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Bonney Lake Washington
Thanks for the feedback Jacob. Sorry to hear about your experience. Did you perform the mod or send it out?
I seem to remember seeing a thread on the board about dimming and LEDs. My recollection was that the HVAC unit should dim. If there was an issue dimming, there was a short on the board somewhere... Will see if I can dig up the thread.
I seem to remember seeing a thread on the board about dimming and LEDs. My recollection was that the HVAC unit should dim. If there was an issue dimming, there was a short on the board somewhere... Will see if I can dig up the thread.