Also known as RPO code CJ2. Good 'ole reliable.......
Electrical Gremlins - help
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Good morning everyone. My car is an automatic with 86k miles on it. It's had three previous owners and I bought it in Carlisle last August when someone traded up at the show. When I got it, I had every fluid in the car changed and the steering column locked, so that got fixed as well.
Here's the details on the air - I can't turn it one...the buttons don't work. When I try to turn it on, it won't come on. Then randomly, it turns itself on and works fine - and I can control the temp, level, etc. We removed the entire panel and replaced it with a different one and the same problems occur, so it's not the panel. Freon is not the issue either. I don't know how else to explain it except that it just works when it wants to.
Let me know if that helps.
PS - I have not had a single "error" message come up at all - the car is running fine otherwise.
Here's the details on the air - I can't turn it one...the buttons don't work. When I try to turn it on, it won't come on. Then randomly, it turns itself on and works fine - and I can control the temp, level, etc. We removed the entire panel and replaced it with a different one and the same problems occur, so it's not the panel. Freon is not the issue either. I don't know how else to explain it except that it just works when it wants to.
Let me know if that helps.
PS - I have not had a single "error" message come up at all - the car is running fine otherwise.
You won't get any messages that flash across your screen, you have to manually pull them like so.
The "diagnostic display" mode is entered with the following procedure:
1. Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2. Press the "reset" button to turn off any warning messages
3. Press and hold "options" and
4. While holding "options", press "fuel" four times within a 10-second period.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Still did not answer whether it's manual or digital system ? Does your control unit display the outside temperture ?
You won't get any messages that flash across your screen, you have to manually pull them like so.
The "diagnostic display" mode is entered with the following procedure:
1. Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2. Press the "reset" button to turn off any warning messages
3. Press and hold "options" and
4. While holding "options", press "fuel" four times within a 10-second period.
You won't get any messages that flash across your screen, you have to manually pull them like so.
The "diagnostic display" mode is entered with the following procedure:
1. Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2. Press the "reset" button to turn off any warning messages
3. Press and hold "options" and
4. While holding "options", press "fuel" four times within a 10-second period.
Sorry - I assume it's digital - yes it displays the outside temp (when it's turned on of course). I'll try what you suggested above and see what I get...
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 241
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 241
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Check post #16. Cereal.
Re: Your HVAC issue, you have an intermittent electrical problem of the type associated with a loose connector or poor connection somewhere, i.e. "on again, off again". Pay specific attention to Bill's info regarding the wiring where it passes through the rubber door bellows.
Re: Your HVAC issue, you have an intermittent electrical problem of the type associated with a loose connector or poor connection somewhere, i.e. "on again, off again". Pay specific attention to Bill's info regarding the wiring where it passes through the rubber door bellows.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Here's the update - the wipers needed a new motor (keep your udders clean!) and the air conditioner problem was caused by a bad ignition switch.
All fixed and ready to hit the road. Now on to more mods...
Thanks to everyone for sharing info.
All fixed and ready to hit the road. Now on to more mods...
Thanks to everyone for sharing info.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,115
Likes: 1,038
From: Dyer, IN
Hmmm.....why do I get the feeling the A/C problem will be back....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Good morning everyone. My car is an automatic with 86k miles on it. It's had three previous owners and I bought it in Carlisle last August when someone traded up at the show. When I got it, I had every fluid in the car changed and the steering column locked, so that got fixed as well.
Here's the details on the air - I can't turn it one...the buttons don't work. When I try to turn it on, it won't come on. Then randomly, it turns itself on and works fine - and I can control the temp, level, etc. We removed the entire panel and replaced it with a different one and the same problems occur, so it's not the panel. Freon is not the issue either. I don't know how else to explain it except that it just works when it wants to.
Let me know if that help
PS - I have not had a single "error" message come up at all - the car is running fine otherwise.
Here's the details on the air - I can't turn it one...the buttons don't work. When I try to turn it on, it won't come on. Then randomly, it turns itself on and works fine - and I can control the temp, level, etc. We removed the entire panel and replaced it with a different one and the same problems occur, so it's not the panel. Freon is not the issue either. I don't know how else to explain it except that it just works when it wants to.
Let me know if that help
PS - I have not had a single "error" message come up at all - the car is running fine otherwise.
Just cleaning out the plenum and the related drains will not repair a wiper motor problem in which the motor is damaged. Sometimes the wipers will work after the motor dries out, but if problems persist a new motor will resolve the problem. And with the drains (udders) cleared the new wiper motor should have a long life.
While you’re cleaning drains, do not overlook the small rubber (right-angle shaped) drain for the HVAC unit. This drain is located on the firewall engine side behind the passenger side engine head. If this drain gets clogged water will drip down onto the BCM area causing all sorts of havoc.
See Bill Curlee's "Leaks" sticky at the top of "C5 Tech"
HVAC Control –
Since the HVAC Head Unit works when it is “activated”, and since activation is RANDOM, I would look closely at the electrical connectors and related wiring. Be sure to inspect EACH individual terminal in each connector pack for tightness.
See Bill Curlee’s sticky at the top of “C5 Tech” for details on how to take a male pin of the proper size to check EACH female contact inside the connectors.
Good Luck and Post the Results.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Wipers –
Just cleaning out the plenum and the related drains will not repair a wiper motor problem in which the motor is damaged. Sometimes the wipers will work after the motor dries out, but if problems persist a new motor will resolve the problem. And with the drains (udders) cleared the new wiper motor should have a long life.
While you’re cleaning drains, do not overlook the small rubber (right-angle shaped) drain for the HVAC unit. This drain is located on the firewall engine side behind the passenger side engine head. If this drain gets clogged water will drip down onto the BCM area causing all sorts of havoc.
See Bill Curlee's "Leaks" sticky at the top of "C5 Tech"
HVAC Control –
Since the HVAC Head Unit works when it is “activated”, and since activation is RANDOM, I would look closely at the electrical connectors and related wiring. Be sure to inspect EACH individual terminal in each connector pack for tightness.
See Bill Curlee’s sticky at the top of “C5 Tech” for details on how to take a male pin of the proper size to check EACH female contact inside the connectors.
Good Luck and Post the Results.
Just cleaning out the plenum and the related drains will not repair a wiper motor problem in which the motor is damaged. Sometimes the wipers will work after the motor dries out, but if problems persist a new motor will resolve the problem. And with the drains (udders) cleared the new wiper motor should have a long life.
While you’re cleaning drains, do not overlook the small rubber (right-angle shaped) drain for the HVAC unit. This drain is located on the firewall engine side behind the passenger side engine head. If this drain gets clogged water will drip down onto the BCM area causing all sorts of havoc.
See Bill Curlee's "Leaks" sticky at the top of "C5 Tech"
HVAC Control –
Since the HVAC Head Unit works when it is “activated”, and since activation is RANDOM, I would look closely at the electrical connectors and related wiring. Be sure to inspect EACH individual terminal in each connector pack for tightness.
See Bill Curlee’s sticky at the top of “C5 Tech” for details on how to take a male pin of the proper size to check EACH female contact inside the connectors.
Good Luck and Post the Results.
Thanks! See post #27 for the results. It's all taken care of. ECS did a great job today - it's fast, dry and cool
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
Likes: 1,470
From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Hi there. Well, my 97 is starting to show it's age. Have a few things going on and I'd like to know if anyone else has ever experienced these:
1. The air conditioner turns itself on and off - randomly. The buttons don't work when it's "off," but all the lights come on when it turns itself on. The boys at ECS tryed replacing the whole panel with a new one, but the same thing is happening, so it's not the panel.
2. The windshield wipers ramdomly turn themselves on and off when in the "off" position. And now they're mostly just "on." We pulled the fuse so I can drive until this gets fixed. Does this sound like the wiper motor or something else?
There doesn't seem to be a coorelation between the air and the wipers, but maybe there is. I noticed the wipers turning off when I hit the breaks. The air problem started first.
On a positive note, I have a new vararam, Ligenfelter fuel pump (that went too) and a good street tune, so the car is feeling great. New headers, seats and wheels/tires are next on the list.
Would love to hear if anyone has had these problems and how they fixed them.
1. The air conditioner turns itself on and off - randomly. The buttons don't work when it's "off," but all the lights come on when it turns itself on. The boys at ECS tryed replacing the whole panel with a new one, but the same thing is happening, so it's not the panel.
2. The windshield wipers ramdomly turn themselves on and off when in the "off" position. And now they're mostly just "on." We pulled the fuse so I can drive until this gets fixed. Does this sound like the wiper motor or something else?
There doesn't seem to be a coorelation between the air and the wipers, but maybe there is. I noticed the wipers turning off when I hit the breaks. The air problem started first.
On a positive note, I have a new vararam, Ligenfelter fuel pump (that went too) and a good street tune, so the car is feeling great. New headers, seats and wheels/tires are next on the list.
Would love to hear if anyone has had these problems and how they fixed them.
BTW: Thanks for the Birthday wish a few days ago...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,396
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The ignition switch was the issue! 
Ive seen too many ignition switch issues lately. The C5 community is going to be seeing a LOT more really weird issues like this one! There are SIX different 12 VDC switch outputs inside the ignition switch. Any one of the six can become arced and when that happens,, you get something LESS than battery voltage out of the switch.
REMEMBER! Our heavly electronic C5's do NOT like voltages out of range! So, were going to need to learn how to properly figure out if your having voltage issues because of the ignition switch.
Most C5/C6 electronic modules have TWO 12 VDC input power lines.
One will be 12 VDC HOT at all times.
The other 12 VDC power input is 12 VDC when the ignition switch is in the " ON & or ACC Position. (Hot in ON & ACC)
If you measure the two 12 VDC inputs to a problem module, they should measure very close to the same voltage. If the HOT in ON and ACC voltage is lower than the battery voltage reading from the HOT at ALL TIMES input, the ignition switch is at fault and needs to be inspected, & cleaned or replaced.
I have a very detailed post on this very issue.
Yep, The windshield wiper motor/module and HVAC Control module is NOT connected/ linked to the BCM. To be BCM controlled, it has to have a serial buss connection to the module to be controlled thru the BCM. The BCM will not cause those modules to malfunction.
If the BCM gets wet or damp,,boy oh boy, it sure will cause a whole bunch of other modules to have major issues!
Glad you got the car fixed.
Tell Chris and Doug at ECS I said Hey!Bill C
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Glenside PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I was pretty sure that you knew your car should be taken to Steve Spencer at Bryner Chevrolet. He WILL diagnose AND fix your problems. He is very good at this stuff and if I remember tBryner is where I first met you a year or so ago...... SO, you know the place, now find the time. He'll fix it for sure.
BTW: Thanks for the Birthday wish a few days ago...
BTW: Thanks for the Birthday wish a few days ago...
And you're welcome! Hope you had a great birthday...!
The ignition switch was the issue! Ive seen too many ignition switch issues lately. The C5 community is going to be seeing a LOT more really weird issues like this one! There are SIX different 12 VDC switch outputs inside the ignition switch. Any one of the six can become arced and when that happens,, you get something LESS than battery voltage out of the switch.
REMEMBER! Our heavly electronic C5's do NOT like voltages out of range! So, were going to need to learn how to properly figure out if your having voltage issues because of the ignition switch.
Most C5/C6 electronic modules have TWO 12 VDC input power lines.
One will be 12 VDC HOT at all times.
The other 12 VDC power input is 12 VDC when the ignition switch is in the " ON & or ACC Position. (Hot in ON & ACC)
If you measure the two 12 VDC inputs to a problem module, they should measure very close to the same voltage. If the HOT in ON and ACC voltage is lower than the battery voltage reading from the HOT at ALL TIMES input, the ignition switch is at fault and needs to be inspected, & cleaned or replaced.
I have a very detailed post on this very issue.
Yep, The windshield wiper motor/module and HVAC Control module is NOT connected/ linked to the BCM. To be BCM controlled, it has to have a serial buss connection to the module to be controlled thru the BCM. The BCM will not cause those modules to malfunction.
If the BCM gets wet or damp,,boy oh boy, it sure will cause a whole bunch of other modules to have major issues!
Glad you got the car fixed.
Tell Chris and Doug at ECS I said Hey!Bill C
Thanks Bill - I appreciate all your insight and posts. It helped me get up to speed and understand some of the stuff that goes wrong with these cars. I will keep my udders clean for ever and ever
(clearly the previous owner did not!) Hopefully I'm going to be "problem" free for a while and can focus on new wheels/tires and seats...!
