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1980 heat and ac dont work.. Please help

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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 05:57 AM
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Default 1980 heat and ac dont work.. Please help

Ok.. I just got this car two weeks ago.. so far.. i have repaired the non opening headlight doors.. great info up here... a non working horn... again great info from the site.. turned out to be the button was not making contact..

Now my biggest delima.. the seller said something about a fuse but I cannot remember... There is no response at all when I move the speed lever or any switches on the ac unit controls. The compressor does not run nor does the fan blow...

When do I start.. I saw a post about the vacuum control unit but where is that located.. I have never done AC before so I need very specific guidance to get the system working again..

Any help is much appreciated..

Also as I saw in another post.. there is no hissing in the cabin when I move the switches..
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 11:36 AM
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Just fixed the same issue with my 80'. There's a relay under the hood that went bad, It's on the right side near the hood spring. It was a quick fix and the system works great now. Of course there are other things that could have gone wrong like a bad motor switch, but the relay is more likely the issue.

Here's the part I ordered: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1980-1982.html

Hope this helps!
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 11:55 AM
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I just found the 25amp fuse and repalced it... the fan runs fine on the defrost.. heat and vent.. as soon as I move the control to the ac side it blows the fuse.. I disconnected the ac compressor to see if the short was there when engaging.. it blows regardless if its connected or not... does this still sound like the relay on the firewall?
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:02 PM
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
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No, the relay is the high blower relay. Check the A/C wire underhood for grounding including the idle up solenoid at carb.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:20 PM
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ok.. I checked the ac leads.. they had been spliced but not touching.. I removed the tape and they had electrical connectors on them.. then I noticed the solinoid lead was not connected... I hooked it up and the fuse did not blow.. the compressor did not run but I am assuming its not charged.... am I getting closer to a fix?
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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also... can i check the AC compressor connector for voltage to see if it actually trying to engage it?
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by driddick
... then I noticed the solinoid lead was not connected... I hooked it up and the fuse did not blow.. the compressor did not run but I am assuming its not charged.... am I getting closer to a fix?
The lead may have been grounding since fuse did not blow so sounds like you got it.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by driddick
also... can i check the AC compressor connector for voltage to see if it actually trying to engage it?
Yes. First just turn key on (engine off & blower off) then turn on A/C & you should hear the clutch kick on. If not then low pressure switch...
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:57 PM
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when I turned the key.. the solenoid on the carb bumped but the clutch on the Ac compressor did not engage... is it the switch or low... can I bypass the switch without damage to my electrical (over ride it) to see if the clutch is forced to engage?

Last edited by driddick; Sep 5, 2011 at 01:01 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 12:57 PM
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The solenoid on the carb bumped.. not the ac compressor clutch did not engage

Last edited by driddick; Sep 5, 2011 at 01:01 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by driddick
when I turned the key.. the solenoid bumped but the clutch did not engage... is it the switch or low... can I bypass the switch without damage to my electrical (over ride it) to see if the clutch is forced to engage?
Yes you can jump the switch & hear it click on w/o running....
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:12 PM
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bypassed switch... clutch engaged! started engine for a few seconds.. clutch engaged and ran.. not seized... does it only need a charge.... also its R12.. I assume I need to get it converted..
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:19 PM
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You can check further by briefly inserting something into one of the valves to get an idea of pressure & keep eyes away from valve!

You can call around for R-12.
Note for R134, I would use a smaller orifice tube like the Ford (2 O-Rings) Red .062 in place of the GM White .072.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:22 PM
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what has to be replaced to convert to R134... Do they have to take my system apart...?
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:24 PM
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Thank you so much for all your help... This forum is great and the members are very knowledgeable... I was able to diagnose every issue this car had that previous owner did not address..

Now if I can figure out how to remove the console cover / gauge cluster I can install new bulbs.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:30 PM
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
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They would not need to take it completely apart- they might flush it.

You did good on this yourself.

The thing you need to know about removing the gauge cluster is it attaches to the console underneath in front so remove both console sides.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 01:43 PM
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Hey.. YOU really helped.... you have Corvette repair to a science..

Thank you very much for your help and quick responses.. I was running outside and back to the computer diagnosing... It was very cool havign the fast responses waiting... THANK YOU AGAIN SOOOO MUCH
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