C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Questions

Old Oct 9, 2005 | 12:00 AM
  #1  
Bunky314's Avatar
Bunky314
Thread Starter
1st Gear
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default Questions

Hi All,

I'm new to this group, I just bought an 81, I always wanted a vette, I'm very happy with it but it has some problems, it runs great. I was wondering if someone can steer me in the right direction on how to fix the following problems:

1. Power Antenna isn't connected, I found the wiring for it, it's a 3 wire harness, can anyone tell me what each wire does, I'm assuming one is power, one is ground, and one is from the radio.

2. The door handles stick when I go to open the door from the outside, is there a remidy to get them to bounce back.

3. The power door locks don't work, there is an alarm installed, I'm guessing that has something to do with it.

4. The rear defroster doesn't work, when I looked under the console, I noticed it wasn't connected, what is the reason for this.

5. The wipers don't work, all seems to be in order, the switch seems beat up, but I don't know if it works or not.

6. I bought a Haynes book on the C3, it doesn't get into detail how to fix my problems, is there a better manual available, if so can you tell me what it is. Also the car doesn't have a manual.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 10:33 PM
  #2  
BigBlockk's Avatar
BigBlockk
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
Default

Well, on number 2 they do make little flat springs to assist the original springs. Also, you may need to rebuild the mechanism to get them to work better.

On number 5 I had to add a ground wire to the switch in my '70 when I got it to get the wipers to run.

BigBlockk

Later.....
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2005 | 10:44 PM
  #3  
micks69's Avatar
micks69
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Default

#2 I replaced the door handles the parts are very inexpensive. You'll know why when you go to install them.
Check the connections at the wiper motor. Some times they just plain fall off.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 12:01 AM
  #4  
comp's Avatar
comp
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Default

welcome
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2005 | 02:08 AM
  #5  
stickboy's Avatar
stickboy
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Default

I have they chiltons and hayes corvette manuals and they are worthless except for the generic repairs. The book you want is a GM service manual speciafically for the '81 corvette. They show up on ebay from time to time. You can also order a reprinted one from Helm

As for the other stuff it sounds like Bubba has been working on your electrical system. Probably the stuff is broken and needs repaired. The book I mentioned about is almost twice as thick as the haynes manual and the diagrams and step by step instructions are priceless.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Questions



Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:27 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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