C4 - 1986 Questions

[John D.]

I just purchased a 1986 coupe, picked it up tonight.

First question: I have the service manuals and AIM for my 68 are there comparable manuals for the 1986?

Second question: When I drove the car and agreed to buy it the horn worked. On the way home tonight I noticed it now doesn't work. I checked the fuses. Any thoughts on what to check next? I was going to check the horn contact, How does the cap come off? Does it snap on like my 68?

Thanks in advance for the advice. John

[Chuck S.]

Re: C4 - 1986 Questions

John, there are better manuals for your 86 than there was for your 68. Where the 68 was covered by a general manual for all Chevy passenger cars about 5/8" thick, the 86 will have two LARGE dedicated manuals if it's like my 87. One covers the ususal mechanical service items (about 1 3/4" thick), and the second covers electrical (about 3/4" thick). You will find the 86 manuals considerable more expensive than your 68 manual(s) too.

If your owners manual still has the service manual order form in the back, you can make a copy and send it in. You will probably get your check back telling you that they cost twice as much now, but their prices will probably be just as good as other vendor sources. Or, another good source might be ebay. Most of those manuals are vendors selling over the internet, but sometimes there will an individual trying to unload manuals for a car he doesn't own anymore. In either case, they will be almost as expensive or even more expensive on ebay.

I think you are on the right track to take a look at the horn contacts. Something is probably not postioned correctly, causing contact to be made intermittently. Can't help you with the horn button...never had mine off. Follow through with your idea of getting the manual.

[Jim T.]

Re: C4 - 1986 Questions

Congratulations on your purchase. I bought my 85 used in 92 and am still driving it. The service manual for my 85 is over a inch thick and has a lot of information you will need. The 85 service manual pertains only to Corvette. Check Helm Inc. and you should be able to still purchase the service manual. When I bought my new 96 LT4 I ordered the service manual, two books about four inches thick. One book covers only the engines (LT1 and LT4) and transmissions.
The horn problem may be the same one I had on my 85. It comes off by pulling straight up. Mine broke and I fixed it, but it was so long ago that I really don't remember how I improvised and made it work. There was something that broke in the cap that I was able to reattach or something. Take a look at it and see what is broken mayby you can do the same.

[Terry M.]

Congratulations and manual caution *TL*

The FactoryAutoManulas.com are usually used manuals, but my experience with them has been good.

Also check www.helminc.com for the brand new from the factory manuals.

You might want to be careful with any supplier, however. Some of the earlier manuals (1982 and earlier are the ones I am familiar with) are copies of the originals and the pictures are not as clear as the originals. The paper they are copied to is thinner than the original, and one side of the paper bleeds through to the other side. Some of the pages that were originally in color (wiring diagrams and Auto transmission hydraulic diagrams) are now only black and white.

I'm not sure when they started using this poorer means of producing the manuals, but it seems to be another case of "they don't make them like they used to." If you can find the original printing, you will have a much better quality book. Thus there is no substitute for holding the book in your hand before you make the purchase.




FactoryAutoManuals

[Joe C.]

Re: Congratulations and manual caution

Terry:

As far as I know, Helm has produced these manuals from the get go. I remember that I was surprised, in 1985, that I had to get my 1985 Corvette Shop Manual from Helm Inc. (who????). It should be excellent copy, and the manual is extremely detailed, and has helped me immensely with mine, especially in understanding the then new TPI technology on the L98.

Joe

[Terry M.]

Re: Congratulations and manual caution *TL*

Yes Joe, as far as I know the poorer products are made by Helm, just as the first-run good manuals are. Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that someone else was making the poorer manuals.

[David D.]

Re: C4 - 1986 Questions

John, Check the bolt that mounts each horn to the frame. Most of the 84-89 Corvette horns lose ground at that point, due to corrosion or rust. Dave