Quick HUD Question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 26
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From: Houston Texas
Quick HUD Question
I have a 2000 Coupe with the HUD. Compared to my buddy's HUD in a 99 Coupe, mine is very dim, unless it's dark outside. I have the brightness turned all the way up on the consol, i was wondering what is needed to restore the full brightness. I am unfamiliar with how exactly the system operates, so it would be nice to know if it's an easy bulb replacement type fix, or if it requires purchasing a new projector. Thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Could be a few things, is the windshield original? A non-hud windshield will make it dim. Also have you cleaned the hud cover? The outside gets very dusty and needs to be cleaned from time to time.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
I added HUD to mine and it has the stock windshield, and I can see it in the day time here in sunny CO. Not sure if you can open the projector, it came sealed and looked to want to stay that way 
Are you wearing polarizing sun glasses? That will make the display go away... I have a set of polarizing sun glasses that I like, but when I wear them there goes the HUD LOL
Are you wearing polarizing sun glasses? That will make the display go away... I have a set of polarizing sun glasses that I like, but when I wear them there goes the HUD LOL
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,896
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From: Manchester - Political correctness is tyranny with manners.
My guess is that the display may be going the same way as many of the HVAC units...that is; the display fades, dies, and you eventually have to replace the unit. I had to do this to the HVAC unit in my 98, and I don't think the HUD display is any different...sooner or later, it's going to die. I have a 2000 with HUD and I don't use it except when I drive at night, because I don't want to have to replace it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Go to Tech Tips
Go to Menu bar under 'Other', select Tech Tips, select C5, look for HUD install. Enough information there to make you dangerous. Seems to be straight forward and easy. Also search on HUD, HUD Replacement, HUD Installation under Search. Plenty of information on the Forum. Good luck.
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
I know the non-HUD windshield can make the display somewhat blurry - but have never heard of it making the display too dim.
As a test, during daytime - place a piece of white paper against the inside of your windshield where the HUD display normally would shown on. Then do the same on your friends C5 (with the intensity control turned up to the max on both). It yours is still dimmer than his - then its not the windshield.
As a test, during daytime - place a piece of white paper against the inside of your windshield where the HUD display normally would shown on. Then do the same on your friends C5 (with the intensity control turned up to the max on both). It yours is still dimmer than his - then its not the windshield.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,987
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From: DuBois PA
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
HUD windshields actually say “HUD” on them. Look at the DOT sticker that’s on your windshield to verify.
A windshield is made up of two pieces of glass with a thin sheet of plastic sandwiched between them. On a standard windshield, the plastic is the same thickness, top to bottom. On a HUD windshield, the plastic is thicker at the bottom so the two pieces of glass have a slight offset. Without the offset, you will get a second reflection from the outer piece, thereby throwing the image out of focus.
A windshield is made up of two pieces of glass with a thin sheet of plastic sandwiched between them. On a standard windshield, the plastic is the same thickness, top to bottom. On a HUD windshield, the plastic is thicker at the bottom so the two pieces of glass have a slight offset. Without the offset, you will get a second reflection from the outer piece, thereby throwing the image out of focus.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
HUD windshields actually say “HUD” on them. Look at the DOT sticker that’s on your windshield to verify.
A windshield is made up of two pieces of glass with a thin sheet of plastic sandwiched between them. On a standard windshield, the plastic is the same thickness, top to bottom. On a HUD windshield, the plastic is thicker at the bottom so the two pieces of glass have a slight offset. Without the offset, you will get a second reflection from the outer piece, thereby throwing the image out of focus.
A windshield is made up of two pieces of glass with a thin sheet of plastic sandwiched between them. On a standard windshield, the plastic is the same thickness, top to bottom. On a HUD windshield, the plastic is thicker at the bottom so the two pieces of glass have a slight offset. Without the offset, you will get a second reflection from the outer piece, thereby throwing the image out of focus.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,273
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
I have a 2000 Coupe with the HUD. Compared to my buddy's HUD in a 99 Coupe, mine is very dim, unless it's dark outside. I have the brightness turned all the way up on the consol, i was wondering what is needed to restore the full brightness. I am unfamiliar with how exactly the system operates, so it would be nice to know if it's an easy bulb replacement type fix, or if it requires purchasing a new projector. Thanks in advance.
There have been problems with the sensor working loose from the circuit board, which then causes the HUD to display at its "default" brightness, and that is not bright enough for daytime applications.
There are two fixxes for this:
1) Replace entire HUD projector
2) Fix the unit yourself (requires a soldering iron).
Some folks with Pontiac Grand Prix's have discovered the fix, and their HUD projector is basically the same as the C5 Corvette projector. You could try their fix, and worst case, if it doesn't work, then replace the HUD.
For instructions on the fix see ...
http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.as...=single&cookie
HTH
Last edited by BlackZ06; Feb 6, 2007 at 08:07 AM. Reason: Fix URL
