1988 Digital Gas Guage and Radiator Fan

[Travis Citrino]

I recently inherited a 1988 Vette from my father. I am working on restoring it back to factory as per his final wishes. I have however run into a couple of problems.
First: The digital Gas Guage always reads full, I have to rely on trip meter and Avg mpg meter for level. Known Fixes?? Every thing else on Dash work, so hate to have to replace just for that.
Second: Although it has NEVER overheated on me or my dad, I noticed the other day thay my radiatior fan hadnt turned on when car was in idle and reading coolant temp of 224 degrees. The fan does spin freely whe spin by hand. Are they set to go off at higher temps, or is mine messed up??
Thanks in advance for any and all responses.
P.S. You can see my Vette at http://www.myspace.com/citrino Also when I am done I get to drive it as a Pace car at the local race track just as my father wished. This ones for you dad Thanks!!!!

[Joe L.]

Re: 1988 Digital Gas Guage and Radiator Fan

Travis-----

To troubleshoot a C4 you absolutely MUST have a year-specific factory service manual. Using the protocols in this manual you can often diagnose problems.

I don't know what the fan actuation temp is for a C4. However, they are often considerably higher than folks are used to with older cars. The manual will tell you that, too.

The factory service manuals for C4s are fairly expensive. But, you simply must have one if you intend to do any work, at all, on the car. I don't think that the NCRS bookstore carries the C4 manuals. However, you might want to check there first. If not, you can obtain the manual from Helm Inc. at www.helminc.com . You might also try eBay. You might find a used one there for a better price. However, you do need the YEAR-SPECIFIC factory service manual.

C4 Corvettes are VERY complex cars; the most complex of any Corvette built before or after the C4 period.

[William C.]

Re: 1988 Digital Gas Guage and Radiator Fan

Turn on the A/C, that should kick the radiator fan on. Turn on temp at least on my '89 is 226F, I've owned some c-4's that will read up to 235 before the fan comes on. Email me and I can scan the appropriate 2 pages from the '89 manual, if needed. I believe the system was identical in the 88-89 L-98 engines. If it turns on with the A/C, but not when A/C is off and coolant temp is over 235 then look at replacing the coolant temp sensor.

[Travis Citrino]

Re: 1988 Digital Gas Guage and Radiator Fan

Thanks Bill. Will give it a try and let you know.