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1981 cruise control

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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 08:59 AM
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Default 1981 cruise control

Purchased a garage kept '81 with 41K miles a few months ago. Currently resurrecting / sweeping out cobwebs. Now runs fine, but cruise control is dead. Current turn signal lever has cruise control "on/off", "set", "resume", etc. switches. Thinking the problem may be the lever switches, I purchased a replacement lever for a 1981 model, and it's simply a push button on the end of the lever with "Cruise" and an arrow pointing to the button/switch; i.e., none of the "enhanced" cruise control switches. Can anybody tell me if my current enhanced lever is original equipment or was an upgrade previously attempted? Also, any input on the likely root issue of the dead cruise control would be appreciated (fuse is good).
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 10:39 AM
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81 was the first year that cruise control had the resume feature.

It sounds like you were sold a 79-80 stalk, not an 81-82. Chevrolet has discontinued the 81 stalk, and there are no repros that I'm aware of.

Have you checked the cruise control transducer, servo or vacuum lines? These are usually where problems with the cruise control occur.

The transducer is located below the master cylinder and the servo is at the left rear of the intake manifold. Rebuilt transducers are available for about $120, but the servos are discontinued.

You may want to look into purchasing the 81 Corvette Shop Manual, as it explains how to troubleshoot and repair the cruise control system.
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 12:56 PM
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Originally Posted by gbvette62
81 was the first year that cruise control had the resume feature.

It sounds like you were sold a 79-80 stalk, not an 81-82. Chevrolet has discontinued the 81 stalk, and there are no repros that I'm aware of.

Have you checked the cruise control transducer, servo or vacuum lines? These are usually where problems with the cruise control occur.

The transducer is located below the master cylinder and the servo is at the left rear of the intake manifold. Rebuilt transducers are available for about $120, but the servos are discontinued.

You may want to look into purchasing the 81 Corvette Shop Manual, as it explains how to troubleshoot and repair the cruise control system.
gbvette62, I definitely appreciate the info. I have not yet checked the components you mentioned, as I had no idea where they were until you pointed me in the right direction. I have both the Chilton and Hanes repair manuals, but neither one are worth a hoot with regard to cruise control. In fact, there is hardly any mention at all about the cruise control subsystem. Can you provide me details on the specific shop manual to which you are referring? I'm pretty handy, but I just need specific info on what to check and where. If the shop manual you are recommending can provide me the info, I will go find it and buy it immediately!!!
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 01:01 PM
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you can get the AIM from different vendors such as Willcox, zip, and Mid america to name a few. It will come in very handy. I have one and I would be lost with out it.
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 01:18 PM
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I fought this one also and ended up a bad servo (100 bucks at NAPA) two new cables (24 at advance) and lots of frustration. Willcox also sells everything also.
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 02:07 PM
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Does your speedometer work? If it works, you can eliminate the cables and transducer.
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by dgood
I fought this one also and ended up a bad servo (100 bucks at NAPA) two new cables (24 at advance) and lots of frustration. Willcox also sells everything also.
dgood, thanks bunches for the info!!!!
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Old Jan 14, 2013 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Seasoned80
Does your speedometer work? If it works, you can eliminate the cables and transducer.
Seasoned80, yep, speedo works fine. I assume you would suggest it's a servo problem like dgood had above? I did order a shop manual today with the hope it will step me through the correct troubleshooting steps to confirm which component(s) is/are bad.
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Old Jan 15, 2013 | 04:08 AM
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There are two wires that go to the servo also. They are on the front of the servo, red and yellow I think and there are also some vacuum hoses going to it. I can't help you with the details on that because mine is apart while I am waiting on getting my speedo back from a Willcox overhaul.
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