Need clues on origin of C4 label

[Floyd B.]

This is a picture of a label on the radio receiver box that came with my '96 convertible that I bought last December. Does anyone know how to decode the information on it. I'm looking for something that would identify the model year of car that it came from. I'm beginning to suspect that this is not the orginal unit that cam with the car.

I'm wondering if the first 2 digits of the "BUILD" code might be the year of manufacture.

[Joe L.]

Re: Need clues on origin of C4 label

This is a picture of a label on the radio receiver box that came with my '96 convertible that I bought last December. Does anyone know how to decode the information on it. I'm looking for something that would identify the model year of car that it came from. I'm beginning to suspect that this is not the orginal unit that cam with the car.

I'm wondering if the first 2 digits of the "BUILD" code might be the year of manufacture.

Floyd-----


I don't think the first 2 digits of the build code indicate the year of manufacture. The main thing that identifies it is the part number of 16172125. However, I can't tell you a whole lot about this unit, but I don't think it's for an 89 or 90 model. As a matter of fact, I can't find where this unit was ever used on a Corvette but it's very possible that it was.

I can tell you this: the GM #16172125 was discontinued from SERVICE in June, 1994 and that strongly implies that it was never used in PRODUCTION for a 1996. It was replaced, successively, by 2 other part numbers the last of which was discontinued without supercession in June, 1998. I can't find that either the 16172125 or any of the successor part numbers were ever cataloged for a Corvette. However, it's very possible that they were only available through Delco Electronics part channels and not regular GMSPO channels.

In any event, if this unit was originally installed in a Corvette, I would strongly suspect that it was a 1993 or 1994 model. That doesn't mean that it would not work for a 1996, though. There was much commonality between 93-96 Corvette radios.

[Tom H.]

Re: Need clues on origin of C4 label

Is the unit a Bose unit? CD cassette? Look at the lettering on the buttons. If they are white it would be a 94 to 96 radio. If they are orange, that would indicate a 90 to 93 style. Post a picture of the front of the radio if you can.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Need clues on origin of C4 label

Joe,

Thanks. Your information helps a lot and I think it confirms my suspicions. I had posted a request for help concerning some mysterious brackets attached to this unit (Saturday @ 9:27 am). I received no replies, which would also make sense because there would be no real answer to my original question - i.e. how to install the unit in a '96 convertible using the brackets.

The good news is; the unit works in my car without the need for any modifications to the wiring in the car. It looks like I simply need to remove the brackets, plug in the wiring harnesses and slip it into the foam slot. The bad news is; the part number is not correct for my car.

Would you mind responding with the correct part number for the Radio Receiver box in a mid-production (#9304 / Dec-95) '96 convertible? - then it's off to the swap meets.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Need clues on origin of C4 label

Tom,

Thanks for the response. This label is on the Radio Receiver box installed in the jack storage compartment behind the passenger seat - i.e. it's not on the dashboard head unit. Did you happen to see my post on Saturday morning? I included some pictures of the box with some brackets attached. I was struggling to figure out how to install the unit using the brackets. I finally started to suspect that the unit is not original to the car - but a used replacement. Based on the information from Joe this all makes sense.

I think this is what happened:
The radio receiver box failed so a previous owner obtained a used replacement that had these brackets attached. Since the owner also had tapped an after-market power amplifier into the speaker wiring (to drive after-market non-amp'd speakers), he discarded the storage tray and simply laid the replacement radio receiver (with the unneeded brackets attached) and the after-market amplifier in the bottom of the storage compartment. While he was at it he also discarded the jack .

Also supporting this conclusion is the fact that all of the diagrams (including the official '96 Corvette Service Manual) show the radio receiver installed into the foam slot in the storage compartment.

I would be interested in your thoughts on this.

Thanx

[Tom H.]

Re: Need clues on origin of C4 label

Floyd:

I'd say your scenerio is correct. Typically what happens to these units is they get wet from water collecting in the rear storage area. I'd say the replacement got in there just the way you said. You might contact the folks at corvetteradios.com and see if they have any correct parts or brackets to help !!

Tom

[Joe L.]

Re: Need clues on origin of C4 label

Joe,

Thanks. Your information helps a lot and I think it confirms my suspicions. I had posted a request for help concerning some mysterious brackets attached to this unit (Saturday @ 9:27 am). I received no replies, which would also make sense because there would be no real answer to my original question - i.e. how to install the unit in a '96 convertible using the brackets.

The good news is; the unit works in my car without the need for any modifications to the wiring in the car. It looks like I simply need to remove the brackets, plug in the wiring harnesses and slip it into the foam slot. The bad news is; the part number is not correct for my car.

Would you mind responding with the correct part number for the Radio Receiver box in a mid-production (#9304 / Dec-95) '96 convertible? - then it's off to the swap meets.

Floyd-----


I'm not 100% sure about this since these radio application issues can be very complicated. In any event, I think the receiver part number should be GM #16178751. However, the only difference between it and what you have might be the number on the unit and the attached brackets.