Well, I decided to pull my dash and windshield trim out today and see what the birdcage looked like. I also wanted to figure out why the radio doesn't work. Found some unexpected stuff. No guns or weed or anything like that. Although there was some strange white powder in the bottom of the map pocket. A little 409 and a rag took care of that. Anyway, here's what I found.

This looks like a windshield wiper delay unit. The wires lead to a dial type switch under the steering column next to the headlight override switch. Was this an option or an owner add on?



This looks like an additional power plug like the cigerette lighter. It's very cheap though. Made of plastic. It was way up under the dash on the passenger side.



This was also on the passenger side. It says it's a flasher unit. Why would it be all the way over there?



Here is a Dana cruise control unit. The prior owner said he installed it. I haven't tried it to see if it still works yet.



After getting it all apart, the birdcage is in great shape. Just a few spots of very light surface rust. Still don't know why the radio doesn't work. It's a sterio unit with the amp. It turns on and you can hear the music but it is very quiet.

The wiring around the steering column is a nightmare. I'm going to straighten that up before I put things back together.

I also put in a new quarts clock. I hope it works. The previous owner gave it to me when I bought the car. It was new in the box so it should work.

Have a great week everyone.

 

The flasher is over there because GM put the turn signal flasher over there. I'd recommend getting owner's, service and assembly manuals before you dig any further...

 

Jeffery73,

Years ago I thought the original radio in my '71 stopped working. It turned out to be both speakers were defective. I installed new speakers and it still works.

Dave

 

Well...Exxxxcuuuuussseeeeee Meeee!!!!!

 

Thanks Dave,
I was thinking that could be the problem. I'll try some new ones.

 

many cars have the "blinkers" thingy over on the passenger side. Many times,one just has to take out the glove box to access it. You seem to be of a machanicial nature and have an inquireing mind, plus want you vette right. Getting the book is a good idea, makes good bathroom reading sometimes too. lol.

 

Ghoastrider1,

I should probably get the books. I do have a GM chassis service manual and the '73 Motor manual. But for me, part of the fun of working on cars is tearing something apart and figuring out how it works. If I can't figure it out, then I go to the manual. It might take me a little longer to get something done, but that's ok. I'm not in any hurry. Half the fun of owning an old car, is working on it.

 

Just a friendly suggestion - it's nice to have some idea how things go back together. I can't count the number of times I've gotten myself into a bind trying to fix something, only to slap myself in the head after reading the manual. The books are a good way to save yourself from unnecessary work and/or damage.

 

 

As a fellow '73 owner (as well as a '72), Batman speaks the truth (and, FWIW, I think you misread his original post as a criticism - which it wasn't). And I'd suggest also getting the electrical diagrams from NCRS (or one of the color-coded charts that some vendors offer).

And that is indeed where GM put the turn signal flasher (strange place for it though).

 

Sorry about the bit of attitude there. I actually meant it as a bit of a joke. You know the old Steve Martin thing. Anyway, I was able to get everything apart without any problem. I ordered new speakers today. I'm keeping the original radio so I just ordered some inexpensive ones. Tonight after the kids go to bed, I'll get the wiring cleaned up. Then as soon as the speakers get here, I'll get everything back together and get her back on the road.

Have a good one.

 

Mickey was at home in my console:

 

Thank God I didn't find anything like that. I replaced the carpet over the winter and only found some change, a few pencils, a few interior screws, and a couple of receipts from the '80's.

Anybody else have interesting pictures?

 

Mickey is at home in your console. Don't you see him there?

 

I missed the fuzzy vermin when I first looked at that pic...

 

Clifford is an alarm company. Probably part of an aftermarket alarm system?

 

I'll put my money on the Clifford gizmo being a winshield wiper delay. To back up my theory I would point to where it says "WWD-340". Could WWD possible stand for Windshield Wiper Delay? The 340 has me stumped though. Maybe it took them 340 tries to come up with the perfect version you're sporting there.

 

how many quarts does your clock take?!?!?!?!?!?!!

 

Mickey was pretty well mummified!

 

Nothing like the one I pulled out of my console a few weeks ago...