Heads up display blues!

[RocketJ]

Hi All,

My heads up display goes whacko on me every once in awhile. It almost seems like a reflection from out side the car, but not likely. In order to document the problem I took some digital photos of what it looks like both normal and bad. I gave them to my dealer and it looks like they are going to replace the display.

Just curious, anyone else having similar problems.

Check out the attached pics.

Thanks for your help

RocketJ

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
I dont see any attachments, however, if what you are talking about is only in bright sunlight then it may occur again.
You could be seeing sunlight washout, which does occur when bright sunlight hits the HUD just right.
Just a thought, c4c5

 

[RocketJ]

It looks like my pics did'nt attach. I went to manage attachments and added them, but no luck. Any ideas.

RocketJ

 

[RocketJ]

C4C5 Spec.

Figured out my file sizes were too large, please check out the newly attached pics. Let me know what you think. One thing thats strange is that when the display acts up you can't shut it off.

Thanks for your help.

RocketJ

 

[KANE]

Yeesh....


Glad I didn't get a c5 with that option!!! What does one of those modules cost??

 

[cavettefan]

DarkShark, replacing electronics is one significant reason to get an extended warranty. Just be sure the parts that can fail are not excluded - which is one reason that I like the GMPP so much, their list of excluded parts is a very short one.

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
I would suggest that when this happens, if you are not driving, just put a road atlas or newspaper over the windshield where the sun is shining on the display.
See if it goes away. My theory is that it will.
Give it a try, and see what happens.
You see, the when the lighting hits the display, it actually energizes the display crystals, and it will seem as it you cannot shut it off.
If you remove the light, it should revert back to normal.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[RocketJ]

Thanks for the input C4C5.

I think you might be right. Just the fact that I can't shut the display off when it happens seem to indicate it coming from an outside source.

Even though the dealer is willing to replace it under waranty I'm not exactly keen on having my whole dash board taken apart for nothing on my relatively new baby even though I trust the mechanic that will do it.

If it is an outside source causing the problem I would think everyone out there would be experiencing the same thing. Hence the reason for this thread.

When I bought the vette it had the display optioned into it. At first I thought it to be just another gimmick, but a really like it. I keep it on all the time and really helps control my lead foot.

I also agree with corvettefan, I'm probably going to go with the extended waranty.

RocketJ

 

[theblackvette]

Have you seen this at night?

I have seen this in the sunlight at times.

Great idea for taking the digital photo. Smart guy!

You can turn it off by just dimming it all the way down. I usually keep mine off. I really have no need for it. Good luck.

 

[vettepilot]

Mine does that when departing my driveway if the sun is in just the right position, it goes away as soon as the angle to the sun changes enough to not be illuminated by the outside source.
The other thing that can be affected by sunlight are the electrochromatic mirrors. When the car is in the garage, the light sensors detemine it is dark, then when I open the garage door the sunlight is so strong that the mirrors will darken until I back the car out enough for the sunlight to be detected by the inside sensors.
Don't mess with Mother Nature:L

vettepilot

 

[DRTH VTR]

I agree with the above postings. I get that, too. I believe that it is a light condition, and of no consequence.

 

[RocketJ]

Blackvette,

I hav'nt had the car out that much at night, but when I did It never happened. When it happens it won't shut off by dimming the display. Which leads me to believe its from an outside source.

Its such an intermittent problem I took the pics to show the dealer.

It happened again this AM in the exact spot and arond the same time. Again making me believe its a reflection of sorts.

RocketJ

 

[DRTH VTR]

You see, the when the lighting hits the display, it actually energizes the display crystals, and it will seem as it you cannot shut it off.
If you remove the light, it should revert back to normal.
Allthebest, c4c5

This certainly sounds like it describes what is happening to mine. Does it apply to everyone else?

 

[Blade]

Just a little too much Sunshine!

Didn't think I would care for the HUD either, but I got spoiled very quickly and now I love it.

 

[Tuna]

This is normal sunlight wash out of the HUD. Nothing to fix.

Next time you see this, shade the HUD from the direct sunlight and the display will return to normal.

It's annoying sometimes but that's about all.

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

My 2004 does it too sometimes. It's from the sun shining "down the throat" of the HUD. When it happens, turn your car and you will see it go away.

I actually alot of times don't use my HUD in the daytime (turn it off) because in Florida, at least where I live, alot of the roads are bleached out white and even at full intensity you can barely see it with the white road behind it. I love using it at night , however. But when I am not using my HUD during the day, sometimes (usually around noon) if the sun gets at the proper angle then suddenly all that stuff appears out of nowhere. It freaked me out the first time it happened, but once I realized what was going on I just try not to pay attention to it. I'm still glad I have the HUD.

-Dave C. '04 Z06

 

[RocketJ]

Thanks for all the replies. It looks like the concensus is that its a outside reflection causing the problem. Looks like you guys saved me from getting my dashboard torn apart for nothing. I'm suprised GM does'nt know about this phenomena.

Even with the occasional reflection problem I still really like this option.

RocketJ

 

[c4c5specialist]

I'm suprised GM does'nt know about this phenomena.
RocketJ

They do. Thus the redesigned deflector on the c6, which greatly reduces the direct sunlight induced washout.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[RocketJ]

C4C5,

If they fixed it on the C6, just maybe they will accomadate us C5'ers with a fix. I guess I'm just dreaming. But I will say they are ready to replace my unit under waranty just based on my pics. So someone at GM should realize that adding a redesigned deflector got to be cheaper than replaceing the whole unit.

Thanks for your input.

RocketJ

 

[cavettefan]

The Heads Up Display has got to be one of the must-have options (along with F55 (Magnetic Selective Ride Control) suspension) for the Corvette. When I show people the HUD in my coupe, they are blown away by it. (The only gadget that has better cool-ness is the IR display that is available for the Hummer H1.) And the HUD does give you a better understanding of how fast you are driving - the display is right there in front of you.