Door Panels
C4 Corvette Door Panel and Component Differences
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Door Panels
Door Panels are a common item that may need replacement on C4 corvettes. Many original panels come to have common damage, like cracking and loose carpet in the early style panels, or panels not staying attached to the door at the top rear, which is very common in the later style panels. Below are the main styles of C4 corvette door panels.
1984-1989 Door Panel LH side
1990-1993 Door Panel LH side
1994-1996 Door Panel LH side
1984-1989 Door Panels
Door panels used a common design for 1984-1989 cars. The panels are made of vinyl convered plastic and the bottom portion is carpeted. The armrest sections are removable in case they need to be changed, and the top black trim is a seperate removable piece. The top trim piece is different between convertible and coupe cars starting in 1986.
1990-1993 and 1994-1996 Door Panels
The other styles of door panels were from 1990-1993, and 1994-1996. For these later years the power window and mirror switches were moved into the door panels, and the wiper switch of 84-89 versions was moved from the door panels to the steering column. The 90-93 panels were a vinyl covered plastic on the top and carpeted on the bottom, while the 94-96 panels were a thinner, less padded vinyl covering on top without any carpet on the lower half. The 94-96 panels also used color matched push pins to secure the panel to the door along the bottom. All previous versions were held on by screws on the bottom edge. These panels can be interchanged between their original designated years due to similar dash designs between the 90-93 and 94-96 cars. Though differences between the presence of, or lack of, lower dash and lower door panel carpet on the passenger side will be noticeable.
1990-1993
1994-1996
An interesting note, the 1990-1993 door panels use a different color armrest between the left and right sides. The left side is always black and the right side will be the color of the cars interior. Of course if you have black interior, there is no difference.
1990-1993 Armrest color differences
Unlike the earlier 84-90 styles of door panels, there are no differences in the top of door panels for 1990-1996 coupes and convertibles. For model years 1990 – 1993, a coupe or convertible door panel can be used interchangeably. For 1994 – 1996 panels, the driver’s side panel on convertible models does not have an opening for a rear hatch (deck lid) release switch. Filler pieces for the opening are available and in fact they were stock on 1993 coupe right hand panels, and both left and right 1993 convertible door panels. These filler pieces can be installed in case you apply a 94-96 coupe panel to a convertible. Applying a convertible panel to a coupe however is not recommended because you would need to cut a hole due to lack the of this opening. Note, a 94-96 door panel does not have an opening on the back of the passenger side panel for a rear hatch release switch on both coupe and convertible models.
1994-1996 Coupe LH door panel hatch switch opening
1994-1996 Convertible LH door panel, w/out hatch switch opening
1993 Coupe door panel RH hatch switch filler
1994 – 1996 Panels are the only style that includes a storage compartment in the panel. The left and right side armrests are lids that flip up to access the compartment. Be cautious, especially with driver’s side arm rest lids, because the plastic base of the lid cracks at the screw holes where the hinge plate attaches on the underside. These can be damaged easily and replacements can be expensive.
1994-1996 Door Panel Storage Compartment
COMMON ISSUES OF 1990-1996 PANELS.
The 90-96 panels have a common issue where they do not stay attached to the door at the upper rear edge. We receive many calls about this issue, and have seen many different solutions to the problem on many of the cars that we have had. The problem occurs when owners close the car door by grabbing on the upper back edge of the panel, or by closing the doors too hard. This weakens the panel over time, and the supporting structure ribs on the backside of the panel will develop cracks.
1990-1996 Door panel backside ribs
Once these cracks occur, the door panel will be able to flex off of the top lip of the door structure, which is needed to hold the panel on tightly to the door. While many fixes are possible, one of the more successful fixes we have seen in panels is when owners have drilled holes in the ribs on the back of the panel, above and below the existing crack, and then secure the crack together by applying zip ties through the drilled holes. Then, in addition to this, add small “L” pieces of metal to a few of the bolts at the top inside of the door shell. The zip ties will prevent that panel from flexing off the top lip of the door, and the “L” pieces add a little more material for the panel to catch on the door shell. These fixes are not visible at all once installed.
Door Panel Trim Pieces
The door panels of 1984-1989 cars are interchangeable. However attention needs to be paid to the top trim piece of the panel, which does vary between coupe and convertible models. Convertible versions become thicker towards the back edge. Coupe versions are a more consistent thickness across the top of the panel.
1986-1989 Convertible Door panel top trim
1984-1989 Coupe Door panel top trim
The 84-89 door panels also have a defrost vent grill at the top front edge. This grill is commonly broken or missing. Be aware that the grill pieces are different for the left and right sides due to how the inside tab extends downward relative to the shape of the top of the grill.
1986-1989 Defrost Vent lH side
1986-1989 Defrost Vent RH side
Window Switch and Door Pull Trim (1990-1996 only)
1990-1996 drivers side door panels have a trim piece that surrounds the window switches, mirror switch, and also contains the door handle pull. These trim bezels had three designs that go along with the major color changes of the 1990-1996 corvette models. 1990-1991 bezels are gray in color with orange lettering. 1992-1993 bezels are black in color with orange lettering and the 1994-1996 bezels are black with white lettering. These pieces are common to wear marks, especially around the door pull area. Also, it is common to find these pieces broken into two pieces along the seam between the door pull, and upper switch bezel. These can be installed when they are broken in two pieces without showing any signs of being broken, but they are originally supposed to be in a single piece.
1990-1991 Switch bezel
Gray with orange letters
1992-1993 Switch bezel
Black with orange letters
1994-1996 Switch bezel
Black with white letters
Speaker Covers - Door Panels (1984-1989 only)
1984-1989 Corvettes had the front speakers mounted in the doors. Starting in 1990 the speakers were relocated to the inside floor rocker panel. The 84-89 door panels had speaker covers and used the same design for all 1984-1989 models. However the metal nameplate (which are common to fall off) would be different for cars with Bose or Delco (non-Bose) stereos.
1984-1989 Door Panel Speaker Covers
Door Handle Bezels
1984-1989
Though door handle bezels look similar for 1984-1989 cars, there are differences between 1984-1985 models and 1986-1989 models. These differences are relative to the power door lock switch designs used for 1984 and 1985 years, and the option to have a model without power door locks for 1984-1987.
1984-1985 Door Handle Bezel w/ power door locks
1986-1989 Door Handle Bezel w/ power door locks
The light installed in the door handle bezels also varied in designs for 1984-1985 and 1986-1989. The difference in the two is the wiring connections for power to the light. If the wiring connection is modified, the light assemblies can be interchanged between 1984-1989.
1984-1985 Door Bezel Light wiring
1986-1989 Door Bezel Light wiring
1990-1996
Door handle bezels are physically interchangeable between 1990-1996 years. There are a number of differences though in color and markings over this year range.
The marking for the words “lock” and “unlock” are the main difference for 1990-1996 door handle bezels. 1990-1991 will have both “Lock” and “Unlock” printed. 1992-1993 will have only the word “Lock” printed. 1994-1996 will have no markings.
1990-1991 Door handle bezel
1992-1993 Door handle bezel
1994-1996 Door handle bezel
1990-1993 Color Door handle bezel
The 1990-1993 Door handle bezels were color matched to the interior of the car. All 1994-1996 bezels are black.
The light installed in the door handle bezels for 1990-1996 are all physically the same. There is a minor difference where the light overlay color built into the lens is white for 1990 only, and 1991-1996 have orange.
1990 Door Bezel Light
1991-1996 Door Bezel Light
Interior Door Handles
Interior door handles of C4 corvettes only had minimal changes. Early 1984 models had a handle that was solid with a curled end. Then in later 84 models and through the rest of C4’s the design was flat with a rectangular hole in it. In 1990 – 1993 models the door handle was color matched to the interior. In all other model years the handles were black.
Early 1984 Door Handle
Late 1984-1996 Door Handle
1990-1993 Color Door Handle
Switches / Buttons
Power Door Lock Switches
1984 – 1985 used a push button style power door lock switch. The style was changed for 1986-1996 years. For 1990 and 1991 models the switch color was changed to gray, but style remained the same.
1984-1985 Door Lock Switch
1986-1989, 1992-1996 Door Lock Switch
1990-1991 Door Lock Switch
Note* Power door lock switches for 1986-1996 are the same as 1984-1989 power window switches and can be used interchangeably. However some power window switches of earlier C4’s have a single pin that is longer than the rest. These switches should only be used as power window switches because the long ping could contact the inner door metal mounting plate if applied as a power door lock switch.
Early C4 Long pin window switch
Power Mirror Switches (1990-1996 only)
In 1990 Power mirror switches were moved from the center console to the door panels. Three versions of the window switch were made. All will interchange with the other 1990-1996 years as the differences are only in color. The three versions were 1990-1991 which was a gray knob with an orange arrow, 1992-1993 was a black knob with an orange arrow, and 1994-1996 was a black knob with a white arrow.
1990-1991 Mirror switch
1992-1993 Mirror switch
1994-1996 Mirror switch
Power Window Switches (1990-1996 only)
Like the mirror switches, also in 1990 power window switches were moved from the center console to the door panels. Driver’s side window switches came in two versions, 1990-1991 and 1992-1996. These can be interchanged, as only the switch color is different
1990-1991 Window switch LH Drivers
1992-1996 Window switch LH Drivers
The passenger side door panel window switch had three different versions. 1990-1991 was a gray switch with orange lettering reading “Power Window”. 1992-1993 was a black switch with an orange window image. There were no words were written on these switches. 1994-1996 was a black switch with a white window image. All three versions can be interchanged as the differences are only in color. From our experience, the 92-93 switches can often times be faded and the orange image appears closer to an off white color.
1990-1991 RH Power window switch
1992-1993 RH Power window switch
1994-1996 RH Power window switch
Windshield Wiper Switches (1984-1989 only)
The windshield wiper switches on 1984-1989 cars are mounted in the driver’s door panel. Later switches are column mounted and not discussed here. There are two different wiper switches, 1984-1985 and 1986-1989. The two switches are interchangeable with the only difference being the wire connection for the nighttime illumination light. This can be easily modified to allow the switch to fit 84-89.
1984-1989 Windshield wiper switch
1984-1985 Light wire connection
1986-1989 Light wire connection
Rear Hatch Release Switches
A number of different switch styles were used for the rear hatch release switches mounted on the back of door panels. 1984-1985 used a rocker style switch. 1986-1987 switches feature a slide button and look similar to those of other years, but have a wiring connection that is different than 1988 and later cars.
Hatch switches are interchangeable for 1988-1996 cars. However there are some minor changes among the years with regards to marking colors. 1988-1989, and 1994-1996 switches have white markings. 1990-1993 use orange color markings.
Note* 1993 Coupes will only have a hatch release switch on the left door panel. The right door panel will have a filler piece installed where the switch would go. For 1993 Convertibles, there will be a filler piece in both left and right door panels, and no hatch, or rather deck lid release switch is present. For 1994-1996 Convertibles, neither door would have a release switch in the door panels.
1984-1985 Hatch Release switch
1986-1987 Hatch Release switch
1988-1996 Light wire connection
90-93 are same style but with orange markings
Note* If you look closely at the car image on 86-early 94 hatch switches you will notice that the image is that of a third gen F body Camaro. These switches were used in the F body cars as well but were mounted in the center console where the image was clearly visible. Therefore the Camaro image was used over a Corvette image on the switch. In 1993 the F body cars changed to the 4th generation and the hatch switch was no longer in the console. 1993 Corvettes continued to use the same hatch switches but in the drivers side door panel only. In 1994, when interior color marking changed back to white in the Corvettes, the car image was then changed to a generic car image.
86-early 94 Hatch Switch w/ Camaro Image
1994 - 95 Hatch Switch w/ Generic Image
Door lock Sliders
1984-1996 Door lock sliders are all physically interchangeable. Color differences did occur over the years. 1984-1989 used a solid red marking. 1990-1993 used a marking with orange diagonal stripes. 1994-1996 had white diagonal stripes.
1984-1989 Lock Sliders
1990-1993 Lock Sliders
1994-1996 Lock Sliders
Door Ajar Switches
While not mounted in the door panel, but rather the door shell, door ajar switches are a common item needing replacement in C4 corvettes. 1984-1987 uses a design that looks similar to 1988 and up versions, but has a different wire connection. 1988-1996 ajar switches are all the same. The center pin of ajar switches can be extended outward. This is used so that the switch can be self adjusted by extending the pin and then shutting the car door so that the ajar switch is depressed enough to cut the electrical contact that occurs for the lights when the door is an open position.
1984-1987 Door Ajar Switch
1988-1996 Door Ajar Switch
Note* Aftermarket 1988-1996 ajar switches are available as a reproduction part. We have experienced many customers who have had very quick failures of the aftermarket ajar switches and have contacted us for the used original GM ajar switches which greatly out perform the aftermarkets.
For further information on replacement door panels and components for your C4 corvette, or any other items please feel free to give us a call or contact us with any questions.