C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help requested: 3 More Connectionless Wires

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 02:54 PM
  #1  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default Help requested: 3 More Connectionless Wires

Hi All,
Any idea where these 3 wires might belong?

Possibly the two with round connectors, maybe to a non-existent horn?

The third thinner wire with no connector???

Thanks again for all of your help,
Ben N
Attached Images    
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 02:56 PM
  #2  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

CRAP!!!
Now I notice, that it looks like there might be two more "whacked-off" wires towards the bottom of the last photo.

Back into the garage for a closer inspection...
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 04:41 PM
  #3  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Ben,
The connectors shown on the wires in your pictures are often used for ground connections.
Regards,
Alan

Here's an example.


Typical horn connections.
Spade terminal on the horn body, and ground connection through the head light reinforcement.

Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 8, 2016 at 04:48 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 04:48 PM
  #4  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Thanks again Alan 71!

Also, where "should" the horn(s) be located?
Mine seem to be invisible! LOL...
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 05:36 PM
  #5  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Ben,
Originally your car had 2 horns.
The picture shows only one because 71 cars had only one horn.
The second horn was located opposite the one shown when two horns were standard.
Regards,
Alan

Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 05:55 PM
  #6  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Thank you Alan 71. Looks like "Mr. Bubba" struck again.

Any idea where the wires in these pics go???

I'm getting that sinking feeling, and starting to think I'm going to have to rewire the whole car.

As always, I sincerely appreciate the help!!!
Ben N
Attached Images      
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 07:00 PM
  #7  
GUSTO14's Avatar
GUSTO14
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Default

The first two look like the power wires to your horns... The second horn daisy chains off of the first.

The next three look like the connectors to the Headlamp Door Switch's mounted on each headlight assembly. They tell your dash indicator that the headlights are fully open. They are plastic switches that are a common failure item. The plastic gets brittle with age and the break.

Here it's referred to as the Warning Switch...


Good luck... GUSTO

Last edited by GUSTO14; Aug 8, 2016 at 07:09 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2016 | 07:16 PM
  #8  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Ben,
Gusto is right on about the horn connectors and the connector for the 'headlight warning' switch.
There is a switch and connector for each headlight.
Regards,
Alan

Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 9, 2016 | 08:34 AM
  #9  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

I'm also wondering if THOSE "wires-to-nowhere" can be what's been draining the battery too.

Last edited by Ben N; Aug 9, 2016 at 08:34 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2016 | 06:04 PM
  #10  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Hello Again! LOL...

What I see it that the passenger side headlight assembly area HAS that female connector hanging as shown in my photo, but the headlight assembly DOESN'T have the switch with the male ends.

The driver's side headlight assembly appears to have been replaced, and it HAS the switch with the male connectors as in Gusto's photo. I just now found the female connector and attached it to the driver's side headlight assembly. No difference though.
I really think that's part of the issue with the headlights not recessing.

I also see only 1 horn under there.

GEE THANKS "BUBBA"!!!

Any ideas???


Then again, if we didn't have issues with 'em, then it wouldn't be half as fun to own 'em!
Uuuuummmm... Ain't that right, fellas??? LOL...

Last edited by Ben N; Aug 11, 2016 at 06:26 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2016 | 06:22 PM
  #11  
lvmyvt76's Avatar
lvmyvt76
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
Default

just buy a new wiring harness for Electric Limited for your car. I think there are 2 wiring harnesses for the front of the car, one for motor hook-ups and one for lighting. Look them up on the internet, very good product. not cheap on price or product.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2016 | 06:27 PM
  #12  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Ben,
Hold off on buying a new harness until you figure out what you have and need. There are 2 harnesses forward of the firewall, the Engine Harness and the Forward Lighting Harness.
The headlight warning switches and their connections have nothing to do with the headlight doors opening and closing. They only send an electrical signal to the head light warning indicator in the center dash cluster.
The headlight door actions are a vacuum function controlled by the headlight 'actuators', the headlight 'relays' located between the 2 headlights, the headlight 'switch', and the headlight vacuum over-ride 'switch'.
The headlight switch also obviously has an electrical function, but also controls the open/close vacuum function.
What headlight symptoms are you experiencing?
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 11, 2016 at 06:30 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2016 | 06:36 PM
  #13  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Hi Alan,
The headlights won't recess.
I replaced both actuators & relays, and the two "disc shaped" pieces that connect to the manifold with units from Wilcox. If I remember correctly one is a filter and the other is a check-valve.

I'm starting to think that the headlight switch in the dash is the culprit, and/or the override pull-switch under the steering column.
The headlights rise and go on & off, but they won't recess.

Also having issues with the wiper door & wiper arms' action.
The wipers work for 3 up/down cycles, then they stop and the wiper door closes on top them. LOL...
I'm going to check that black plastic wiper valve with my Mighty Vac next.
I have a feeling that the wiper switch on the dash is bad too.

The other "thing" is that "Bubba" left quite a few "wires to nowhere" in the car.

Thanks gain!!!
Ben

Last edited by Ben N; Aug 11, 2016 at 07:50 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2016 | 07:22 PM
  #14  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Ben,
With the engine running and the headlights OFF pull down on the headlight over-ride switch located under the steering column (the run on the left).
The doors should open when you pull it down, and close when you push it up.
Check that first.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 11, 2016 at 07:22 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2016 | 07:46 PM
  #15  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Just tried it, and the headlights stay in the up position.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 08:06 AM
  #16  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Ben,
I didn't ask the question right.
What happens when the car is running, the doors are closed, the head- light switch is off, and you pull the override switch?
If the doors open and close using the over-ride that indicates the actuators and linkage are working properly.
From there we can begin to test the headlight switch and headlight relays.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 12, 2016 at 08:07 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 09:04 AM
  #17  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

The problem begins with the headlights staying in the UP position.
They won't retract no matter what I do.

I guess I should also ask for the correct sequence of operation, of how they're SUPPOSED to work. too. LOL...

Last edited by Ben N; Aug 12, 2016 at 09:05 AM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Help requested: 3 More Connectionless Wires

Old Aug 12, 2016 | 09:30 AM
  #18  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi Ben,
Begin by manually lowering the headlights.
Disconnect the red and green striped hoses from the actuator.
Reach up from below, through the opening in the lower valance.
Pull slightly forward and down on the rod that the springs attach to. (DON'T pull on the switch if there's one there.)
This 'unlocks' the elbow that 'sets' to keep the door steady in the up position.
The door will close.
Regards,
Alan


Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 12, 2016 at 10:16 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 10:30 AM
  #19  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Just checked them out again.
When I pulled the car into the garage last night, both were UP.
Just went into the garage and the driver's side was down, passenger side up.

I disconnected the hoses to each actuator (even-though the driver's side was already down), then I gently retracted the passenger side headlight assy..

Reconnected the 4 hoses, and fired the car up.
Pulled down the override and both went up.
Let the car run for a couple of minutes, and pushed the override switch back in, and they both stayed UP.
I turned the lights on and off, and they still stayed up.
Shut the car off and both are still in the up position, no matter what position the override switch or the headlight switch are in.

Last edited by Ben N; Aug 12, 2016 at 10:32 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 10:34 AM
  #20  
Ben N's Avatar
Ben N
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Default

Quick question...
Do the wiper and headlight vacuum systems intersect???

With the WIPER override pulled DOWN, should the wiper door be open or closed???
When my wiper door override in pulled down, the door closes.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:47 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE