MYZ28NH

I always wanted a convertible Z and now I have one. However it has a few things that need attention ... any help would be greatly appreciated.

The car has the 305 w/auto transmission. First off the tach.... when I start the car the tach shoots all the way to the right and stays there pinned the whole time. What can I do to fix this?

The cruise does not work, had the same problem on my Z71 pickup, I just swapped out the switch by giving it a little tug and plugged in the new one and the problem was solved. Can I assume that I can do the same on this 91 Z?

My truck has had Mobil One FS it's whole life and still rums perfect at 181K. I don't know the oil history and the Z has 110K. Should I just put the Mobil One in and hope it helps engine life or is it pointless and a waste of money switching if it hasn't had it until now?

The top is worn and there is an ebay business that sells them new for about $350. Is that a good deal and are they a lot of work to install? Should I pay a body shop to do it?

The steering wheel is worn and I would like to just put a GT grant one on. Is it easy? Will the fact that I am removing the stock wheel with the airbag in it cause a problem...warning light in the dash or anything?

Speaking of warning lights... when I drove it home the 65 miles it ran great, engine didn't skip a beat. However the service engine soon light came on for about 8 seconds then went out. This happened about 5 times on the trip home. Any idea of the cause?

Also I would like to put a performance chip in it. Do they work? There is an ebay site selling them for about $40 bucks. Say 30HP gain plus 2 - 4 miles mileage increase. Bull or what?

I am registering it tomorrow and will start driving it daily as long as the weather holds out. Can't wait. Again, any comments appreciated. Thanks Mike

xbox07

The only way to get the tach to work is pay an *** load to get it fixed or just buy another gauge cluster (alot cheaper they go up for sale on here all the time). And as for the wheel "as far as i know" you gotta unhook a few things and then use a steering wheel puller and there shouldn't be any lights. i may be wrong but thoses are my. and you can do a search on here on the steering wheel removail for the specifics (i say a thread just the other day). You should post some pics of the car we'd love to see it

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

That is incorrect.
There is a way to fix the "half-moon" tachometer without having to buy one. This is a thread that tells you how: https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...meter-fix.html

Cruise control: it's a complicated system but if you troubleshoot it right, you can find the faulty component and replace it.

Engine oil: that's completely up to you. Different people have different opinions on different oils. It's ultimately your decision.

Check Engine Light: you can stop at any AutoZone and have them read the fault codes (for free). They'll print out the fault description and suggest parts to fix it.

Chip: don't believe anything you read on fleaBay. These "performance" chips usually just dump extra fuel in the engine on acceleration, polluting more and dropping your mileage.

Where are you located, Mike? Just curious because it's getting cold even in Texas to drive my 'vert. What color is it?

Lou

MYZ28NH

Just got plates for it today and have been bombing around in it all day, have run out of places to go. Car runs great and has plenty of power so I am not going to bother with the chip. It had been sitting in my garage all weekend and when I backed it out was happy to see no fluid leaks at all on the floor. Went ahead and did the Mobil One oil change. Put the car up on a lift and there was not one speck of rust under the car and has had a recent tune up and brand new Flowmaster exhaust. The engine light never came on at all today so I suspect it is just a O2 senser. My truck does the same thing once in a while at highway speeds so I am not worried about it. I found the heat as well. Funny my old GMC van was the same way. I froze my *** off until I realized you have to put the slider on vent not heat. Did this today on the Z and the heat came blasting out nice and hot.

Couple new question though. The transmission takes it's sweet old time going into gear...like 3 seconds reverse or drive is this normal? Also if I hit the gas hard from a dead stop I hear a thump from the back. It does not do this went already in motion or if I take off easy. Could it be weak shocks? Is the car bottoming out? Also I can't find and interior lights. There's a couple switches on the rearview but they do nothing. I would think there'd be a light on the mirror. Maybe just a fuse. Also I can't find the horn button? I am going to leave the steering wheel alone to just has an annoying pit right at the top but other than that it is mint. Besides I might need the airbag. This is all minor stuff and with what I paid for it I not complaining one bit. Mike

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Glad to hear she runs good and doesn't mark the driveway.

Some answers:
- If the crap-o-matic transmission takes long to go into gear, you might need at least a flush or maybe a good valve body cleaning.
- Thump in the back could be the torque arm mount on the tailshaft of the transmission. It might be loose or even gone. But it could also be suspension parts on the rear axle, like you suggested. You just have to get under there and investigate.
- The headlight **** should turn on the mirror lights if you twist it all the way. Or you should be able to turn on the "map" lights on the mirror manually. If you can't, you might have a blown fuse. Probably the ACC fuse.
- Horn buttons are on the sides of the airbag. In the top left and top right corners. You might need to press very hard to honk. Hey, it's a Cheby! If it still doesn't work, it could be the same ACC fuse.

Congratulations on your new awesome cool toy.
Lou

MYZ28NH

Thanks Lou, It's poring rain today so the Z will just sit in the garage. Had a nice moment driving it to work last night. I reached the point in the trip where I usually set the cruise control on my truck.

I was pushing the tab toward acc and willing it to work... nothing.... then I flipped it off then on again and pushed it toward acc again..... it shot forward!! Took my foot away from the gas and it just tooled right along. Man you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I just love it when problems fix themselve's. This car is becoming my new best friend. I will reward it with a new top soon. Do you think I should go with Vinale or cloth? bought a 150 dollars difference in price.

xbox07

thanks, my bad thats just what i was told bout my tach (not trying to spread bad info).

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

No problem, xbox.

Mike, glad to hear that the cruise is working. It might have been just a dirty sticky switch that needed to be pushed a couple times.

I have never seen/touched the vinyl top so I wouldn't know what it feels like. I have the standard cloth top and am happy with it. Sorry I can't be of more help.

But hey, post this question (or search first) in the Convertible forum. They'll know!

Lou