Corvette Parts Blog

1986-1989 C4 Remanufactured ECM

When your Corvette’s Engine Control Module (the ”brain box” of the car) begins to malfunction, it’s as if the whole car suffers from a brain lapse. If you have started to notice unexplainable glitches in the performance of your C4, it may be time to replace the ECM.

Zip offers a 1986-1989 Corvette Remanufactured ECM. Professionally remanufactured by Delphi Corporation - the OE supplier for the 1986-1989 Corvette - these Corvette Parts are built by factory trained technicians using factory testing equipment to ensure an engine computer that is identical to the original unit that came with your Corvette.

All ECM’s are sold on exchange and will incur a core charge if rebuildable unit is not returned prior to order. This C4 ECM fits all 1986-1989 Corvettes.

Note: 1990-1991 ECM’s do not require reflashing/programming to complete installation. Rebuild service does not include PROM (chip) – please keep your original chip or purchase replacement.

View all Corvette Parts Blog Posts specific to C4 Corvettes here.

Corvette Hood Light Mercury Switch

If you are the owner of a 1977-1996 Corvette and your under hood lamp is not functioning; you may be able to repair it instead of replacing the entire unit. The C3/C4 Corvette Under Hood Lamp Mercury Switch, available from Zip Corvette, is located in the base of the bulb socket; and is only visible when the light bulb is removed. It will be apparent, upon inspection of the socket/assembly how the switch should be removed and replaced. Pay close attention to the direction in which the bullet-shaped end of this switch is installed. A mercury switch works on gravity; so, when the hood is opened, the metal liquid flows (inside the housing) and completes the circuit. If the switch is re-installed in the wrong direction – it will not make proper contact and the light will not turn on. This quick fix may just brighten up your Corvette’s engine compartment when you really need it.

By Larry Shattuck – Zip Sales Representative

corvette-battery-cables

1968-1982 Corvette Positive Battery Cables are all routed the same way. The cable leaves the starter, makes way thru the driveshaft tunnel, routes under the battery box floor pan and ends at the battery.

The primary reason Corvette owners replace the positive battery cable is because of  ”constant removal and hook-up” of the cable from the battery. The head of the bolt which is integrated into the cable grommet eventually wears out and the threads are often stripped or worn. Battery cables can also corrode internally due to road contaminants, preventing full power to the starter or improper charging.

Well believe it or not running the positive battery cable in a 1968-1982 C3 Corvette can be easy if you have a little patience, and though not required… a lift! The battery cable can still be removed and installed with the Corvette on jack stands; however getting your hands up into the driveshaft tunnel for removal of the clamps will be a little trickier. The main thing is you can’t get the leverage to do the job as you can with a lift.

Zip Corvette offers positive battery cables for 1970-1982 Corvettes and positive/negative battery cable packages for all 1968-1982 Corvettes. These cables will come with the “jumper wire”, floor pan grommet, and correct spade lug for attaching to the starter. All battery cables are GM reproductions, cut to correct length and ready to install.

Corvette Dome Light Circuit Boards

Corvettes from 1978 to 1989 have a courtesy or dome light timer which leaves the interior lights on for a short period of time after the last door is closed. On a late C3, the courtesy light timer is located below the right A-pillar and behind the dashboard trim. On an early C4 Corvette, the dome light timer is behind the right side of the instrument panel.

Zip Corvette sells replacement circuit boards for both the 1978-1982 C3 and 1984-1989 C4 timers. With both C3 and C4 Corvettes, once you get the timer module removed and disconnected, you simply open the timer, remove the existing burned-out circuit board and replace it with Zip’s new circuit board.

If you are buying a board, there is also a choice of two light shut-off strategies. Zip Corvette’s standard dome light timer board has the stock delay on light shut-off after the last door is closed. Zip, also, has a no-delay circuit board which eliminates the delay, ie: when the last door closes, the courtesy lights go out immediately.

All of Zip’s Corvette Dome Light Timer Circuit Boards are made in USA. They are burned-in and tested before shipping. Each timer uses the existing stock connections so no wiring work is required for installation.

C4 Corvette Circuit Board Update – 2/7/11

1984-1989 C4 Corvettes could have three different interior lamp delay modules installed in them.  The modules can be quickly identified by the part number on the outside of the housing.

You may have read our post about the highly anticipated C6 Corvette Sprint Booster, which offers outstanding throttle response improvements over the stock C6 setup. Well we would like to announce a new lower retail price so you can save money while enjoying the benefit a sprint booster will add to your Corvette.

The sprint booster, available for manual and automatic, C6, Z06, Grand Sport and ZR1 Corvettes can now be purchased for just $299.95. For more information on the sprint booster including instructions on how to operate the switch to cycle through the different performance settings, read our related posts listed below.

If you are replacing your 1968-1982 C3 Corvette’s dash or are just trying to remove your Corvette’s Headlight Switch assembly, here is a helpful tip that will make the removal and installation much easier.

Every week we have at least one customer call and ask us this question, “How do I remove the knob and rod from my headlight switch?” It is a very common problem that everyone encounters the first time they try to do this.
Read more…

Now you can update your C5 or C6 Corvette’s entire lighting system with our Full Corvette LED Light Bulb Kit. The LED lights replace your Corvette’s factory light bulbs and utilize the existing light housings, keeping your Corvette factory looking with the increased safety and good looks of an LED light. Each premium LED light bulb has twice the life as an ordinary bulb, a 98% faster response time, and unlike the versions available from most automotive chain stores; these bulbs feature edge illumination, which helps fill the entire housing with light. Once installed, your Corvette will produce a more focused light for a brighter illumination. The C5 & C6 Corvette LED Full Car Light Bulb Kit includes:

• (4) Red Tail Light Bulbs
• (2) Amber Turn Signal Bulbs
• (2) Amber Front Side Marker Bulbs
• (2) Red Rear Side Marker Bulbs
• (2) Resistor kits for proper turn signal operation
  

  C5 & C6 Corvette Full Car LED Light Kit

Interested in other LED accessories for your C5 or C6 Corvette? View all of our LED light accessories for C5 & C6 Corvettes here.

We have added three new capacitors to our inventory that are designed to work on 1955-1962 Corvettes. Each capacitor is a new reproduction of the original and includes the correct wiring connection, mount bracket and  stamped part number. It is essential to use these 1955-1962 Corvette Capacitors because ignition systems, charging systems, and electrical devices used on C1 Corvettes create magnetic pulses that are of the same frequency range as AM radio. The result of not using the correct capacitors will cause radio interference or noise. These capacitors divert this noise to the ground so it is not heard through the radio speakers as an annoying buzz or whine.

We have carried 1958-1962 Corvette Park Light Assemblies for a while and we are now proud to offer them for 1953-1957 Corvettes. The 1953-1955E and 1955L-1957 Corvette Park Light Assemblies include pre-assembled lenses, bezels, gaskets, reflector cups, bulbs, sockets, and grommets with the correct wiring harness and mounting brackets. Both kits come as a car set and will restore that brilliant showroom look to the exterior of any C1 Corvette. Visit our 1953-1962 Corvette Headlight & Lamp section to see all of our C1 Corvette headlight components, bulb kits, park light assemblies and more.

1953-1957 Corvette Park Light Assemblies

Learn how to replace the alternator on your 1963-1982 Corvette. Replacing your Corvette’s alternator requires basic hand tools and a multimeter to determine the voltage the alternator is producing. Your Corvette’s alternator is an essential component in the electrical system of your Corvette, since it supplies the necessary DC voltage and keeps the battery charged. Like all things mechanical, eventually it wears out and fails.

The project car shown in our Corvette Alternator Replacement Technical Article is a 1967 Corvette 427 coupe, which had an incorrect chrome-plated alternator in it. The procedures detailed in the technical article are the same for small or big block Corvette engines from 1963 through 1982. Follow along and see how easy it really is to do this Corvette alternator replacement yourself.

Click here to read the entire Corvette Alternator Replacement Article.