HUD Problem
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
HUD Problem
I'm new to the forum and not sure how to use it. I hope I'm in the right place. anyway my 04 Z06 HUD works fine in the day
but at night it doesn't work or it will come on Periodically at night. I've been reading posts for days but haven't seen this problem. Hoping the right person reads this.
Thanks In advance to anyone that can help
Nick R.
but at night it doesn't work or it will come on Periodically at night. I've been reading posts for days but haven't seen this problem. Hoping the right person reads this.
Thanks In advance to anyone that can help
Nick R.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
That's a strange issue and yes, you are in the right area for help. I have seen a lot of posts on HUD issues but nothing like this. I will look in my service manual at the schematics as see if I can start pullings strings. Hopefully someone like Bill Curlee or others may have a quick insight. I assume at night you have no issues with the instrument panel gauges being lighted correctly?
PS: For future reference, to do searches on the Forum a lot of people use the Advanced Search feature. I (and others) prefer to use Goggle which will also get you Forum threads and other Corvette forums also for additional leads.
PS: For future reference, to do searches on the Forum a lot of people use the Advanced Search feature. I (and others) prefer to use Goggle which will also get you Forum threads and other Corvette forums also for additional leads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
I have an idea of what may be going on. HUD works fine in the day, but does not display at night, occassionally it does for a little while. HUD is controlled from the left side of the IPC. During the day this area is not powered to provide voltage for the dash lights, including the IPC dimmer control. I think there is a relationship going on here when lighting voltages are active. I am trying to see if I can find a fuse or connector we can remove to prevent lighting power to get to the dash lights without affecting the HUD display power. If we can do that maybe the HUD will act normal at night telling us there is a relationship.
Try this in the interim: At night, try dimming the IPC lights off or as low as they will go, see if that has any affect on the HUD.
Anybody have any other ideas?
Try this in the interim: At night, try dimming the IPC lights off or as low as they will go, see if that has any affect on the HUD.
Anybody have any other ideas?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
thanks guys I Appreciate the help. dimmer switch doesn't have any affect till its all the way down then the display goes off it doesn't dim the display I tryed the dash dimmer as well. put a flash light to the light sensor on the HUD and it comes on. I'm thinking its coming on at night periodically because oncoming vehicle lights are turning it on. are we on to something?
Thank you again
Nick
Thank you again
Nick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
Do this: during the day, make sure the HUD is visible. Then turn your headlights on and see if it remains visible.I want to try and prove or disprove it is related to the lighting circuit. Do this outside not in a garage so you don't get headlight reflections back to the ambient light sensor in the HUD unit.
When you said the HUD dimmer did not vary the HUD brightness, this was during daytime with lights off?
When you said the HUD dimmer did not vary the HUD brightness, this was during daytime with lights off?
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
OK I drove home and tried the headlights no difference but the dimmer was working, not smoothly but it was working. The image intensity was not consistent but the lighting on the way home Differs you know trees, open rode, over passes. I'm in the garage now the flash lite trick doesn't work now but when I open the garage door soon as the light hits the dash the image comes on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
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From: Columbia SC
I read your last post again and want some clarification.
OK I drove home and tried the headlights no difference: ( Was this in daylight? If so, are you saying the HUD went away when you turned the headlights on?)
I'm in the garage now the flash lite trick doesn't work now but when I open the garage door soon as the light hits the dash the image comes on: ( Did you have the headlights on or off when the HUD came on? When the HUD was on could you adjust the brightness with the dimmer?)
OK I drove home and tried the headlights no difference: ( Was this in daylight? If so, are you saying the HUD went away when you turned the headlights on?)
I'm in the garage now the flash lite trick doesn't work now but when I open the garage door soon as the light hits the dash the image comes on: ( Did you have the headlights on or off when the HUD came on? When the HUD was on could you adjust the brightness with the dimmer?)
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
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sorry about that. the ride home was in day time the HUD was working fine the dimmer was working too. I turned the headlights on no difference the HUD stayed on. when I got home I backed in the garage when I closed the door the HUD turned off tryed the flash lite HUD didn't come on. tryed the headlights no difference. opened the garage door HUD came on and the dimmer worked as well turned on the headlights hud stayed on. when the HUD is not visible it's still got power I can hear the motor when I hit the up and down switch. hope this helps us out. but I have a feeling I'm going to be buying a new HUD. that doesn't bother me ripping apart my dash to install it does.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
Nick, thanks for that info, it was very helpful. I too think it is your HUD. In the schematics (I can post if you like) the external dash dimmer is varing the HUD voltage (brightness) going to ground. The HUD internal photo cell (dimmer) and ambinet light sensor increases/decreases the brightness internally. Could be the sensors or something in the projector. I don't think it is the external dimmer. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 301
From: Columbia SC
PS: Since you said your dash dimmer was giving you some problems, I would consider replacing it also if you decide to replace the HUD. While I don't think the dash dimmer is part of the problem you could replace it first and see if it has any affect while you are into the IPC. You have to remove the IPC to do either. Even might want to consider replacing bulbs that are not soldered in place.