JOHN383

Are the original capacitors required on the instrument cluster? Are
they still available or will a standard ignition capacitor work.

I am assuming that they were used to control arcing in the induction circuit of the ignition coil and/or AC generator. Any potential damage to the gages by not using them?

5thvet

They were there for AM radio reception so you don't need them unless you want the originality.

Frankie the Fink

Correct - and if you have the original capacitors they probably went bad a decade or two ago so they aren't doing anything anyway...

K2

I was cruising on the freeway one afternoon a few years ago and all of a sudden the engine died and a huge cloud of smoke erupted from under the dash. I killed the ignition and coasted off onto the shoulder, grabbed the extinguisher and looked for a fire, seeing none, I saved the extinguisher and looked under the hood, all ok there so looked around under the dash and still couldn't see anything. I spotted some molten wax on the carpet by my feet but it was getting dark and I couldn't really see a whole lot. I didn't see any fried wires so I cautiously turned on the ignition and no smoke emerged so I tried to start it and it cranked right up. Drove on to my destination with nary a problem. Later I drove home and the next day I got under the dash with a light and discovered the remnants of the molten capacitor. It apparently developed an internal short which caused the meltdown. Scared the heck out of me. I removed the remains of the capacitor and have driven it without ever since.

babbah

Which capacitor was it? On what component or gauge?

1snake

It had to have been the one on the amp meter as that's the only one under the dash.

Jim

Vette5.5

Not sure of what gauge you're talking either, but am familiar with electronics. Capacitors across gauge terminals are sometimes used to slow down(dampen) response time or jumpy needles. If this is your problem, should be able to find a suitable replacement from places like Radio Shack or Parts Express.

K2

Yes it was on the ammeter connected between the battery side gauge terminal and ground and was for radio noise suppression.

Frankie the Fink

The capacitor for the ammeter gauge appears in the Options section of the '61 AIM under Radio -- nowhere else. It was for noise suppression and served no other purpose.

Usually capacitors fail silently and you never even know it...getting smoke and dripping wax from one is rare.

65hihp

I'm on beach on Big Island HI so unable to check my 65 or the AIM but
I think there are 4 under dash. One at each lower corner of cluster, another a little higher on the cluster housing on right side, and one atop the signal flasher high on the radio side cover. John Z ?


Sorry, I know I should forget corvettes while on vacation, but that's why they call it an obsession.

JOHN383

I'm changing over the underdash wire harness at the same time. Is di-electric grease recommended on the firewall plug connector(s) (fusebox to light/ignition harness)?

vettjam

Based on info I gained from this Forum, I believe my 65 should have 4 radio noise suppression capacitors under the dash; two at the bottom of the cluster, one for the ammeter and one by the ignition switch; one for the brake switch by the brake pedal; and one on the turn signal flasher.

JohnZ

Plus one on the tan wire to the "Brake" warning light.

1snake

Your 65's should have 5 capacitors under the dash HOWEVER, my reply was to the question asked by babbah about K2's story about his 61 and there is only one on that car.

Jim

babbah

How many should be on a 1967 model?

JohnZ

All of the radio capacitors are shown in the U69 section of your Assembly Manual.

Pilot Dan

Just replaced my main harness, and did not reinstall any of the capacitors. Bagged them for the next owner since they are not needed with the Solid State IPOD conversion I run with and don't want any useless old stuff in the new system. You don't need them unless you are running a bone stock tube version of the Wonderbar. Pilot Dan

JOHN383

When you replaced your harness did you use dielectric grease on the firewall connection
to prevent corrosion? Is it necessary?

JohnZ

It's not "necessary", but it's a good idea; after you go to the trouble of cleaning the terminals, why not protect them against corrosion?

flyeri

Pilot Dan, Please tell me about the iPod conversion. I am removing the cheap radio previously installed and want to put a amp in the storage box and a couple 6x9 speakers in enclosures in the back and just hook up the iPod or iPad. Thanks from one pilot to another.