2004 HUD delete?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
2004 HUD delete?
So I’ve had my 2004 base C5 for about a month. It has the HUD and to me it’s a useless gimmick. It’s too dim to see in the daytime, sunlight shines down into the HUD “well” and throws reflections on the windshield, and at night it’s distracting (so I end up leaving it off all the time). To make matters worse, the dash bezel around it is cracking and needs to be replaced.
Which brings be to my post. If I pull the upper dash to access the bezel, can I simply remove the HUD and install an upper dash from a non-HUD C5? Will it cause the car to throw errors/do I need the BCM reprogrammed? What are “working” HUD units worth (resale)?
Which brings be to my post. If I pull the upper dash to access the bezel, can I simply remove the HUD and install an upper dash from a non-HUD C5? Will it cause the car to throw errors/do I need the BCM reprogrammed? What are “working” HUD units worth (resale)?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
If you don't like it. I would just leave it in and turn it off. It does add value to the car.
But... If it is too dim in the day time, the light sensor may not be working properly. You can mod the panel that has the light sensor by soldering the sensor to bypass it. Then you can directly control the brightness with the dimmer switch.
I love having the MPH speed displayed in my windsheild as well as being able to see oil pressure at a glance and keep my eyes on the road.
But... If it is too dim in the day time, the light sensor may not be working properly. You can mod the panel that has the light sensor by soldering the sensor to bypass it. Then you can directly control the brightness with the dimmer switch.
I love having the MPH speed displayed in my windsheild as well as being able to see oil pressure at a glance and keep my eyes on the road.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 275
From: Wichita Falls Texas
This is my first vehicle with one and I kind of like it. Yeah, it's kind of hard to see in bright daylight but once you become used to it it's easier to see. I rarely look at my speedo anymore.
I'll keep it but if it goes out I'm not sure if I'll spend a lot of money getting it fixed. Just depends on if I can fix it myself or not.
I'll keep it but if it goes out I'm not sure if I'll spend a lot of money getting it fixed. Just depends on if I can fix it myself or not.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
Is this sensor you mentioned part of the HUD or somewhere else?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
If you look above the Driver Information Center (DIC) buttons (fuel, gauges, trip, options, etc)on the right side of the instrument cluster, above the Fuel button is what looks like an LED. That is the photo diode light sensor that is supposed to adjust the brightness of the HUD depending on ambient light. Many times this stops working correctly which can make the HUD very dim.
You could either replace the photo diode or solder the contact to bypass it altogether. Here is a video that shows how to fix both the light sensor and if the HUD drops down due to the broken plastic spring thingy:
You could either replace the photo diode or solder the contact to bypass it altogether. Here is a video that shows how to fix both the light sensor and if the HUD drops down due to the broken plastic spring thingy:
Last edited by Spaceme1117; Oct 23, 2017 at 10:41 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
If you look above the Driver Information Center (DIC) buttons (fuel, gauges, trip, options, etc)on the right side of the instrument cluster, above the Fuel button is what looks like an LED. That is the light sensor that is supposed to adjust the brightness of the HUD depending on ambient light. Many times this stops working correctly which can make the HUD very dim.
Here is a video that shows how to bypass the sensor which will allow you to directly choose how bright the HUD is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHS1KHxCQRI&t=39s
Here is a video that shows how to bypass the sensor which will allow you to directly choose how bright the HUD is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHS1KHxCQRI&t=39s
Last edited by ChrisLSx; Oct 23, 2017 at 10:35 AM.
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If you don't like it. I would just leave it in and turn it off. It does add value to the car.
But... If it is too dim in the day time, the light sensor may not be working properly. You can mod the panel that has the light sensor by soldering the sensor to bypass it. Then you can directly control the brightness with the dimmer switch.
I love having the MPH speed displayed in my windsheild as well as being able to see oil pressure at a glance and keep my eyes on the road.
But... If it is too dim in the day time, the light sensor may not be working properly. You can mod the panel that has the light sensor by soldering the sensor to bypass it. Then you can directly control the brightness with the dimmer switch.
I love having the MPH speed displayed in my windsheild as well as being able to see oil pressure at a glance and keep my eyes on the road.
I love the HUD feature - wish all my cars had it.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,849
From: Erlanger, Kentucky
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 114
From: Lawrenceburg, KY
It's always bright sunlight here so at least 75% of the time (during the day), the HUD is washed out by sunlight. It's bright at night, but I find it more distracting that helpful so I turn it off at night.
Why didn't I think of that!?!?! Problem solved! 