1981 Electrical problems...
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
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1981 Electrical problems...
Hi folks. I'm trying to help someone fix their 81 vette and here are the problems: Headlights turn on but won't go up, windows won't work, and power locks don't work. As far as I know, they all worked a couple of years ago when he last drove the car. The battery died and when we tried to charge it and use it, it exploded (yes, it literally exploded. Never saw this before in my life.). I cleaned everything up and replaced the battery. Car starts and runs fine, but I have a feeling that the explosion damaged something or blew something out which caused these other issues to pop up. I noticed the radio doesn't work either, but I have no idea if that worked before or not. I tried checking some fuses but didn't see anything that was bad. Any thoughts?
---Dan
---Dan
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Hi folks. I'm trying to help someone fix their 81 vette and here are the problems: Headlights turn on but won't go up, windows won't work, and power locks don't work. As far as I know, they all worked a couple of years ago when he last drove the car. The battery died and when we tried to charge it and use it, it exploded (yes, it literally exploded. Never saw this before in my life.). I cleaned everything up and replaced the battery. Car starts and runs fine, but I have a feeling that the explosion damaged something or blew something out which caused these other issues to pop up. I noticed the radio doesn't work either, but I have no idea if that worked before or not. I tried checking some fuses but didn't see anything that was bad. Any thoughts?
---Dan
---Dan
I had 2 81's I should recall better but isnt there a fused link at the battery?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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I have no idea. Never worked on one of these before. I was hoping someone who knew these cars inside and out would be able to give me a clue of what I should do...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
but this is not a vette problem as much as a car electric problem,
take a look at the battery cables see if there is a fusable link, I thought someone would chime it that was more mentally there than me right now, there should be a wiring diagram on google, or hunt here with search feature...did you check the fuses and the fuse box with a test light or meter to be sure juice is there?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
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in over 30 years I owned 2 81's a 66 and several more have my 69 now but inside out? while I have worked on about everything on one I learn new stuff all the time,
but this is not a vette problem as much as a car electric problem,
take a look at the battery cables see if there is a fusable link, I thought someone would chime it that was more mentally there than me right now, there should be a wiring diagram on google, or hunt here with search feature...did you check the fuses and the fuse box with a test light or meter to be sure juice is there?
but this is not a vette problem as much as a car electric problem,
take a look at the battery cables see if there is a fusable link, I thought someone would chime it that was more mentally there than me right now, there should be a wiring diagram on google, or hunt here with search feature...did you check the fuses and the fuse box with a test light or meter to be sure juice is there?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Do the headlights go up when you pull the bypass switch down? I just went through this, it was a mini nightmare, but I had some awesome help from the people of this forum. there are great diagrams if you do a google search, it will most likely link you back to this forum at the right post with the diagrams.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Do the headlights go up when you pull the bypass switch down? I just went through this, it was a mini nightmare, but I had some awesome help from the people of this forum. there are great diagrams if you do a google search, it will most likely link you back to this forum at the right post with the diagrams.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
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Anything else I should look for or try when I go over there?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
I wish I could help you on the door. Locks and windows but I haven't tackled that issue yet, ours worked. I would recommend looking up the vacuum diagrams for the headlights, there is also a great video on YouTube on how to test the individual items with a vacuum pump. If you don't have one they sell them pretty cheap at Harbor Freight.