C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 03:58 AM
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Default 1980 Corvette owners:

1980 Corvette owners, I need some help. Before I pulled the center console/gauges out to do some work, I could have swore that the check engine light which is on the bottom half of the seat belt reminder light, which is on the top half, came on when starting the engine. Then going off after a few seconds.
Now that I have it back togeather, the check engine light does not come on at all. NOW, after reading my manual, it says that the check engine light was fuctional ONLY on 1980 Corvettes made in California.
So my question is: Is my memory not right, and it never did light up, making what the manual saids correct? The bulb is there. Or is it the other way around? I'm really hoping that my memory is off so I don't have to find a problem. LOL So please let me hear from some 1980 Vette owners.
Thanks for all help....
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 08:34 AM
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What engine do you have in your car? If its a 5.0 you should have the check engine light. Check your carb and see if there are more then one electrical connectors going to it. If there is, you have the check engine light. This is assuming everything is stock
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 09:28 AM
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Check the big plug that goes into the cluster. If not put in perfectly straight, it will push the contacts on the circuit overlay out of place and cause problems with lights and gauges.

hope this helps
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 05:19 PM
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Default All stock

Sorry, I should have included a little more info. It's a 1980 with the L82,
all stock. Now is there any 1980 owners that can help me with the answer to my question?
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 05:56 PM
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I just checked my 80 and the only lights I get with the switch on is battery and choke which goes off after starting.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:03 PM
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In '80 only the California cars had computers, and only computer cars had check engine lights.
No L82 cars were California cars.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:07 PM
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If the 5th digit of your (1980) VIN is "H", then the car originally had the 305 ci "LG4" engine. This California Corvette engine (in stock form) would have tubular stainless steel exhaust headers and used a closed loop computer controlled carburetor. The LG4 cars were then only ones that used a "Check Engine Light" warning.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by mapman
If the 5th digit of your (1980) VIN is "H", then the car originally had the 305 ci "LG4" engine. This California Corvette engine (in stock form) would have tubular stainless steel exhaust headers and used a closed loop computer controlled carburetor. The LG4 cars were then only ones that used a "Check Engine Light" warning.
Thanks, but as I said, all is stock. I guess my memory is just playing tricks on me. LOL I glad, because now I don't have a problem I need to solve.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by pawpaws toy
I just checked my 80 and the only lights I get with the switch on is battery and choke which goes off after starting.
Thank you for checking. I think you should also be getting a seat belt reminder light. It should be on the left side, top half of the light. Your battery are Gen light should be on the bottom right. The check engine light that I thought I had seen in the past would be under the seat belt reminder. I'm only 56 and my memory is already going. lol Thanks...
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 10:04 AM
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My 80 L-82 does not have a Check Engine light.
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
My 80 L-82 does not have a Check Engine light.
Thank you Mike....
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 01:35 AM
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Is there any chance You could post Your Vin Number so we can cure our curiosity???
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Gale Banks 80'
Is there any chance You could post Your Vin Number so we can cure our curiosity???
Sure: 1Z876AS418301

Thanks,
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 01:01 PM
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Are you sure it was a check engine light? My 80 L82 which is not computer controlled has a choke light. They use a choke light in 80 as they went to electric chokes. The relay for the choke is in the console.

You can find the info in the shop manual
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Old Apr 4, 2012 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveL82
Are you sure it was a check engine light? My 80 L82 which is not computer controlled has a choke light. They use a choke light in 80 as they went to electric chokes. The relay for the choke is in the console.

You can find the info in the shop manual
Thanks for checking Dave. I also have a choke light. But my choke light is in the tachometer. In a little window at the very bottom, right under where is saids RPMx100. Is that not where yours is? The light that I'm asking about is in the center console. Top left side, vertical rectangle lens window. Just to the left of the temp. gauge. The top half is the seat belt warning light. It's the bottom half that I'm asking about.
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Old Apr 5, 2012 | 11:18 PM
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Thanks for checking Dave. I also have a choke light. But my choke light is in the tachometer. In a little window at the very bottom, right under where is saids RPMx100. Is that not where yours is? The light that I'm asking about is in the center console. Top left side, vertical rectangle lens window. Just to the left of the temp. gauge. The top half is the seat belt warning light. It's the bottom half that I'm asking about.
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Old Apr 7, 2012 | 12:35 AM
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Originally Posted by pawpaws toy
I just checked my 80 and the only lights I get with the switch on is battery and choke which goes off after starting.
Where is your choke light located?
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Old Apr 7, 2012 | 12:54 AM
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The only thing I can throw in is that there were quit a few l-82's sold in Canada. And then they were brought back accross the border and had a US Spedo installed and re sold as the last L-82 High performance Engine ever to be sold in a Corvette back here in the States. It was the era of the 78 Pace Car remember. Maybe something got mixed up.
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Old Apr 7, 2012 | 02:05 PM
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According to my VIN number it was made in St. Louis.
http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
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Old Apr 7, 2012 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 401KVette
According to my VIN number it was made in St. Louis.
http://www.vettefacts.com/C3/1980.aspx
Untill 81 1/2 there were all made in St Louis. But there were Export Cars and besides the Speedo I'm not sure what the diffrence a Canadian Car would of had. I do know that in Washington State ( along the border with Canada) in 81 and 82 there were all of a sudden a bunch of Rare 1980 L-82's for sale in the Used Corvette Lots sold as the last Performance Corvette ever. Most of them had crossed the border.
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