Anyone know what this is?

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Jan 21, 2013 | 11:01 PM

81NcVette

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Anyone know what this is?

I took off the side panels of my center console and have been trying to determine what each of the components are under there.

This one has me puzzled:

http://s1281.beta.photobucket.com/us...20dcd.jpg.html

I thought it might be the starter interrupt, but the wire colors are all wrong for that - the wires are red, orange, purple, and black.

I suppose there is the possibility that someone went in there and changed things around prior to my purchase of the vehicle.

Just curious if 1) this is an OEM part and 2) Exactly what is it and what does it do?

Thanks for any info.

Jan 21, 2013 | 11:37 PM

Kacyc3

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From: Port St. Lucie Fl

It looks like a relay that was added as a cheap replacement for another. My 79 didnt have that relay, put your finger on it and play with different options (pw,pl,radio) till you feel it click and then you will know.

Jan 22, 2013 | 07:41 AM

81NcVette

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Thanks Kacyc3. One thing - I know there are some differences between the 79 year and the 80/81/82 years.

Also... the starter interrupt wasn't used until 81.

Anyone with and 81 or 82 recognize this part?

Jan 22, 2013 | 08:15 AM

Street Rat

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From: Central Texas

I have an '81. I've had everything apart and I've never seen anything like that. Do you have a standard transmission? Mine is an automatic. Maybe a replacement neutral safety switch would be my guess.

Jan 22, 2013 | 08:43 AM

81NcVette

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Thanks StreetRat - I actually used to have an automatic and then I had it converted to a manual (Tremec TKO500).

I had a thought about the neutral safety or some leftover part of the auto, but again, the colors don't match up to the wiring diagram. Though that's not to say that some "creative rewiring" didn't take place with the conversion or prior to my owning it.

Any idea what that actual part is? It doesn't look like any kind of relay I have ever seen.

Last edited by 81NcVette; Jan 22, 2013 at 05:19 PM.

Jan 22, 2013 | 10:17 AM

Peterbuilt

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From: mount holly NC

2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)

Could it be a modified hi-lo A/C relay
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201981.pdf

Jan 22, 2013 | 10:58 AM

81NcVette

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That's a possibility, though it doesn't have the dark blue wire.

Anyone have a picture of a hi blow relay in place on their car?

Jan 22, 2013 | 01:51 PM

Kacyc3

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From: Port St. Lucie Fl

I have used relays like this, we got them from a 80's GM and used them for cooling fan relays. In the center console there is pl, and power antenna relay. It could be used for either of those, or a electric fuel pump, trace the wires it will tell you what it is for.