Cost for system programming update?

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Feb 24, 2025 | 10:56 PM

madison_m

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From: Orange County California

Cost for system programming update?

Hi guys. I need to take my 2018 C7 Z51 to the dealership for some work (including black infotainment ugggg.) The dealer says it's been a long time since the software / firmware whatever has been updated. They want to charge $300 for that. Is that price real? (California, Orange County price?)

Thanks!

Feb 25, 2025 | 12:10 AM

76-Vetteman

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From: Georgetown, Tx

Is this a required system programming update?

Feb 25, 2025 | 12:15 AM

Vetteman Jack

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I guess it depends on what the labor charge per hour is. around here that would be about 2.25 hours labor to do the job.

Feb 25, 2025 | 02:13 AM

madison_m

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From: Orange County California

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76-Vetteman

Is this a required system programming update?

They say it is required before they will begin diagnosis of the blank infotainment system screen. They also say there is a “possibility” it may resolve that problem….

Feb 25, 2025 | 04:57 AM

Vette Jockey

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Corvette Mike is in Anaheim. The owner is very knowledgeable about all generation's. Give them a call.

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Feb 25, 2025 | 08:37 AM

76-Vetteman

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From: Georgetown, Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by madison_m

They say it is required before they will begin diagnosis of the blank infotainment system screen. They also say there is a “possibility” it may resolve that problem….

Ah yes, the blank infotainment screen.
Best of luck with the solution. A good dealer should be able to sort it out.

Feb 25, 2025 | 08:48 AM

Zjoe6

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From: SE WI

Sounds like they're shooting darts. I'd try another dealer with better technical skills. What if it's just a bad infotainment screen? They need to determine the root cause.

Feb 25, 2025 | 08:53 AM

76-Vetteman

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From: Georgetown, Tx

As I recall there was a cable problem with the infotainment screen where the cable failed and the screen would become jammed. I'm wondering if this is related?

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Feb 25, 2025 | 09:00 AM

Zjoe6

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From: SE WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76-Vetteman

As I recall there was a cable problem with the infotainment screen where the cable failed and the screen would become jammed. I'm wondering if this is related?

Sure could be.

In the third link below the OP said just resetting the 12V power might have fixed it. It could be many things.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...een-reset.html
.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...nt-screen.html
.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-no-sound.html
.

Feb 25, 2025 | 12:11 PM

#10

madison_m

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From: Orange County California

Thank you so much for the feedback. I've tried the reset, checked the cables as best I can. The service tech said something about the MOST system having multiple components and they cannot necessarily diagnose it correctly until they get that working. I'll keep them from running wild on this thing.

I love the C7, virtually no problems with it except for this. I haven't used the cool up/down secret compartment thing more than a few times, even it was the coolness factor that pushed me over the edge and selling the C6.

Thank you again!

Feb 25, 2025 | 12:32 PM

#11

Zjoe6

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From: SE WI

I'm sure you tried this, but try raising and lowering the screen a few times to see if that makes any improvement. There's probably a limit switch that turns the screen on or off depending if the door is down or up.

Feb 25, 2025 | 01:17 PM

#12

kodpkd

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From: Loveland

The last time an Ahole said it would take a special technician an hour to program my car, I said, no thank you. I took the car home, did some research, and did it my self in 5 minutes. It wasn't a Corvette. Do a little more research. The other suggestions are great.

Mar 6, 2025 | 10:32 PM

#13

aristarchuscom

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From: Depends on Where the C7 is

Quote:

Originally Posted by madison_m

[After re-reading I miss understood what "programming" you are talking about"] Referring here with this note to the suspension flash program that's 300 bucks and is a part number from GM] It was one of the first things I did once I found out about it for my 2018 Grand Sport. Yes it's 300 bucks and there's a GM part number for it. Make sure you get the part number on the receipt for your records. It's not a part it's flash code for your suspension. Night and day performance on the stock GrandSport wheels, and now I run Vossen HP5's because the stock ones bent badly, and it runs on rails. Get it, money well spent. While you have it there, get the rear dif fluid changed and if you have an Auto 8 speed I just got the Triple Flush and tranny replace per the tech bulletin (that was 1600.00), pay to play brother. Vroom.

Last edited by aristarchuscom; Mar 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM.

Mar 6, 2025 | 11:14 PM

#14

aklim

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From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by madison_m

Forget the $300. If you tell me 3 things, I can estimate the price. Number of hours, cost of materials and labor rate. Number of hours is important if you want to see if the guy is padding the bill or cutting out stuff. You can look at the flat rate hours for the job and that will tell you if he is skimping on something or just adding hours. Labor rate? Nothing you can do about that except see if it is reasonable for your area. So before you ask if the price is real, ask how many labor hours are expended and someone with a labor rate guide can tell you.

Mar 7, 2025 | 08:40 AM

#15

kodpkd

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From: Loveland

My opinion,,,,, $300, look for another estimate. I had a different car, purchased an additional key fob, the dealer wanted $150 to program it, I did some research and it took me 5 minutes to do myself.

Mar 7, 2025 | 09:34 AM

#16

aklim

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From: Hartford WI

Quote:

Originally Posted by kodpkd

Based on what? OP still needs to find out how long it will take, AKA flat rate time before you can determine if it is excessive or not.

I've had body shops that would be able to beat my best quote consistently. Works if you are stupid enough to just look at the last line. You tear that quote apart and the paint price is about the same but they cut the amount of hours worked. As we all know, any idiot can shoot paint. Prep work determines whether the paint sticks on 5 years from today like it does on day 1 or whether it peels off.

Mar 7, 2025 | 11:24 AM

#17

kodpkd

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From: Loveland

My other question. Are the 2019 corvettes still being updated? Didn't they suspend all updates on the C7's?

Mar 7, 2025 | 11:41 AM

#18

IA-SteveB

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From: Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by madison_m

Sometimes honking the horn will bring the screen back to life, but only for a short time. That just helps confirm it could be something other than the screen itself. My 2014 had a flickering screen at first and then decided to go black. I decided to tear the dash down so I could get to the cabling the proper way and found them to be shredded and loose from the door being used too many times. I bought a

new cable

from Amazon for $6, and the problem has not come back since. It took a long time, but I only pay myself $1.50/hr, so it was much cheaper than the dealership. You can't really check the cables very well from the little access port in the footwell. You can see them, but not whether they are loose or frayed. In the picture below, the triangle cover isn't attached correctly.