'98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster - FirebirdV6.com/CamaroV6.com Message Board

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  • '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

    I have a '98 Camaro I've been having some problems with. I've searched around, but I've not really found any solutions specific enough to help me figure out how fix them, hence, this post. If previous threads do exist, links would be appreciated, and I apologize in advance.

    Firstly, when starting the car, sometimes it doesn't start right away. Sometimes, I can just turn the key and it will start right up. Other times, i have to keep the key turned while the engine tries to start for 3-5 seconds. For some reason, this seems to happen more often when its hotter outside. When its cooler (in the mornings or late at night) the car starts fine. Its mostly during mid-day that I notice this happening. Is this a spark plug issue? Ignition issue?

    The passenger window acts up sporadically. For a while, holding the button down would make the window go down as normal. However, when trying to roll the window up, the window would only rise about halfway. Then, after waiting a minute or two, you could press the button again, and it would roll up a bit more. So it would take a few cycles of pressing to roll it up, wait a few minutes, then press the button to roll it up, then wait, etc. to get it totally rolled up. I'm not sure if this is motor-related or not, but that's my first guess. Would a new window motor fix this? How involved is putting in a new motor? Prices to expect/stores to look at (PM if necessary)?

    In addition to the window, the rear defroster works intermittently. When first switched on, the button lights up and the defroster works as it should. After a few minutes, it switches itself off and the light goes out. After waiting about 5 minutes, pressing the button again will turn it back on, but it will go back out after a few minutes of working.

    Also, the radio has a lot of static. I don't know if this is some grounding problem, a wiring problem, or a speaker problem, so any trouble shooting tips would be great. Anytime the radio is on, the station comes in fine, but in quieter songs, or during any short silences, the static and pops are very audible. Also, when using an iPod in the car, using an iTrip or something to play it through the radio, it has static too. However, whenever I depress the clutch pedal (its a 5 speed), the static gets quieter.

    The car also has a 6 disc CD changer in the back, but it doesn't work. The changer itself seems to be functionally OK, in that the song selection works, the clock counts the song time, etc. It just seems like the auxiliary button isn't doing anything when its pressed.

    And lastly, just a cosmetic question: is there a "ring" of some sort that surrounds the shifter? It looks like there are holes for a piece to click into, but I don't have one on my car, so I'm not sure if I'm missing the piece. A picture of the shifter would be great so I could see what it should look like.

    If anyone can give me any info on how to go about fixing any of this, it would be extremely appreciated. I know some of the stuff is more audio-related than Camaro-specific, but I figured some of the members here would have some experience with the Camaro's wiring. If there are any other forums that could help me out, like a car-audio forum or something, please, don't hesitate to post a link. This is my first car, so I don't have a lot of hands on time with cars, but I've done a lot of wiring of guitar amps, guitars, band PA's, etc. and am pretty good with my hands and electronics, so I think if I knew what to do, I'd be capable of actually doing it.

  • #2
    Re: '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

    Originally posted by lamppost View Post
    I have a '98 Camaro I've been having some problems with. I've searched around, but I've not really found any solutions specific enough to help me figure out how fix them, hence, this post. If previous threads do exist, links would be appreciated, and I apologize in advance.

    Firstly, when starting the car, sometimes it doesn't start right away. Sometimes, I can just turn the key and it will start right up. Other times, i have to keep the key turned while the engine tries to start for 3-5 seconds. For some reason, this seems to happen more often when its hotter outside. When its cooler (in the mornings or late at night) the car starts fine. Its mostly during mid-day that I notice this happening. Is this a spark plug issue? Ignition issue?

    The passenger window acts up sporadically. For a while, holding the button down would make the window go down as normal. However, when trying to roll the window up, the window would only rise about halfway. Then, after waiting a minute or two, you could press the button again, and it would roll up a bit more. So it would take a few cycles of pressing to roll it up, wait a few minutes, then press the button to roll it up, then wait, etc. to get it totally rolled up. I'm not sure if this is motor-related or not, but that's my first guess. Would a new window motor fix this? How involved is putting in a new motor? Prices to expect/stores to look at (PM if necessary)?

    In addition to the window, the rear defroster works intermittently. When first switched on, the button lights up and the defroster works as it should. After a few minutes, it switches itself off and the light goes out. After waiting about 5 minutes, pressing the button again will turn it back on, but it will go back out after a few minutes of working.

    Also, the radio has a lot of static. I don't know if this is some grounding problem, a wiring problem, or a speaker problem, so any trouble shooting tips would be great. Anytime the radio is on, the station comes in fine, but in quieter songs, or during any short silences, the static and pops are very audible. Also, when using an iPod in the car, using an iTrip or something to play it through the radio, it has static too. However, whenever I depress the clutch pedal (its a 5 speed), the static gets quieter.

    The car also has a 6 disc CD changer in the back, but it doesn't work. The changer itself seems to be functionally OK, in that the song selection works, the clock counts the song time, etc. It just seems like the auxiliary button isn't doing anything when its pressed.

    And lastly, just a cosmetic question: is there a "ring" of some sort that surrounds the shifter? It looks like there are holes for a piece to click into, but I don't have one on my car, so I'm not sure if I'm missing the piece. A picture of the shifter would be great so I could see what it should look like.

    If anyone can give me any info on how to go about fixing any of this, it would be extremely appreciated. I know some of the stuff is more audio-related than Camaro-specific, but I figured some of the members here would have some experience with the Camaro's wiring. If there are any other forums that could help me out, like a car-audio forum or something, please, don't hesitate to post a link. This is my first car, so I don't have a lot of hands on time with cars, but I've done a lot of wiring of guitar amps, guitars, band PA's, etc. and am pretty good with my hands and electronics, so I think if I knew what to do, I'd be capable of actually doing it.
    Welcome to owning an F-Body!

    Regarding the starting when hot issue.. Check everything from your ignition module to your spark plugs, wires, distributor etc.. The other guys here know more about that stuff than I do so be patient and hopefully someone else will chime in a help you.

    The power window motor sounds like it is going out. Going up sporatically is the first indication. Check out this link: http://www.shbox.com/page/windowmotor.html

    This link was provided to me by another member on this forum. It is a step-by-step pictorial with instructions on how to replace the window motor. Over time you will probably find yourself replacing the window motors. Most people go through a handfull of the over the life of the car.

    Regarding the radio issue.. your speakers sound like they are shot. I too have a popping coming from the door speakers. Also, whenever you are using an auxillary (i.e. charging a cell phone, radar detector) you will receive some static over the radio. It will happen more when listening to AM radio.

    As for the rest of your questions, I am not sure. Hopefully someone else can help you out. I hope this information helps a little.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

      The Popping speakers is either your headunit or your Del Amplifier located in the rear where your spare is.
      Wait, Is that a V6 or V8?
      1990 Chevrolet C-K 1500 series 4.3L .. 5spd
      1994 JDM Euno Roadster 1.8L 5spd Bolt Ons.. etc
      2000 Camaro 3.8L Auto Bolt Ons..etc

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

        Originally posted by ACiFiC View Post
        The Popping speakers is either your headunit or your Del Amplifier located in the rear where your spare is.
        I had never thought if it being the headunit or amp. Why wouldn't it be the speakers? I was prepared to dump a bunch of money into replacement speakers! If it's something as simple as a headunit, that would be awesome. I don't know much about stereo equipment..

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

          I have what I believe is a bad subwoofer on the passenger side. Sometimes it sounds fine, other times it will make a popping or crackling noise. The driver side is fine though. This leads me to think it's the speaker. If I turn the base down a little bit then it's OK.
          2002 Silver Firebird A4<br />T-Tops, Leather, Y87, W68, Chrome Wheels<br />Bone Stock

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

            Originally posted by lamppost View Post
            Firstly, when starting the car, sometimes it doesn't start right away. Sometimes, I can just turn the key and it will start right up. Other times, i have to keep the key turned while the engine tries to start for 3-5 seconds. For some reason, this seems to happen more often when its hotter outside. When its cooler (in the mornings or late at night) the car starts fine. Its mostly during mid-day that I notice this happening. Is this a spark plug issue? Ignition issue?
            I had this issue when i first got my car, when the engine was hot it took a little cranking, and even sometimes pressing the accelerator to get it to start, especially if I drove for about 5-10 minutes and shut it off, If i immediately restarted (within one minute) it would start correctly otherwise problems starting anytime till the engine cooled(2-3 hrs), after 4-5 months the problem developed into a misfire.

            The issue turned out the be a bad FPR (was leaking fuel into the vacuum line), you can run the car a little the turn it off and unplug the vacuum line on top of the FPR to see if there is fuel in the line(there should not be), or get a pressure tester and check key on engine off pressure to see if it holds

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: '98 V6 Camaro Problems- Window/Radio/Ignition/Defroster

              Originally posted by Jtels2593 View Post
              I had never thought if it being the headunit or amp. Why wouldn't it be the speakers? I was prepared to dump a bunch of money into replacement speakers! If it's something as simple as a headunit, that would be awesome. I don't know much about stereo equipment..
              When my front speakers blew, I would get a static sound when the music was loud or on heavy bass, this is because the rubber around the woofer cone deteriorates.

              You can visually inspect the speakers, look for tears, cracks, or deteriorated cones, especially in the surrounding area.

              Do a google image search for "blown speakers" and you should see what I'm talking about

              Comment

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