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I was trying to install a driver’s side seatbelt retractor today and noticed this rusted box behind the plastic interior molding that goes around the seat belt retractor. Anyone tell me what this is and what it does? I googled it and got 2 completely different answers.
one says it’s for the abs handling
one says it’s for a lokack system for the cops to track a stolen car
Is it some kind of signal booster? My radio has been making an annoying humming noise for a while and maybe my leaking targa top seal shorted this out whatever it is? Any help appreciated. They’re only like $22 but can’t figure out what it’s for.
Last edited by mbella2000; Sep 29, 2025 at 11:27 PM.
Ahh ok thanks. Mr google had 3 different answers. I wonder if this is why my radio is making a humming noise no matter if cars running or not. My targa seals leaked down the back and rusted this box out.
No need, you were right. 16215481 shows exactly that. O/P, you can find replacements on ebay and from corvette recyclers.
p/s -- Id also repair the targa seals.
Thanks man. By the way I did repair the targa seals 4x. Aftermarket’s all leak very back of window. I bought like new used set oem. They’re leaking too. I take it it’s now my aftermarket seal the roof sits on. I hope the humming in radio goes away. It does it even with power off and I replaced the radio. Both of them do it
nope its a near mint condition 2000. The targa seals were leaking at back of window and leaked down to the driver’s seat belt retractor behind the interior plastic and that box is mounted exactly where the water leaked in. I had no idea what it was. Someone told me it was for onstar. Someone else said LoJack someone else said abs module lol. Well I guess it’s a signal booster for radio. My fm channels barely come in and my radio is making a constant humming noise even with car off so it’s not the alternator causing it and I replaced the radio. Same humming in 2nd one also. Just bought a replacement signal booster. Fingers crossed when I receive it. Mine looks shorted out
All previous posters are correct. The box is an antenna booster for the rear antenna built into the hatch glass.
The C5 Corvette was a new design to use two antennas for FM to reduce multipath interference common in urban areas.
One antenna is the regular 'T' dipole on the windshield and the second is an other 'T' dipole in the hatch glass along with the defroster grid.
The radio combines or chooses the antenna with the stronger signal to reduce/avoid drops and multipath.
Your water failed rear antenna amplifier circuit is adding noise to the combined path from the windshield antenna.
Also note that your ground point for that amplifier/booster will need to be cleaned to ensure a good electron flow for your 'new' amplifier.
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ARS antenna module. What is it?
