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1980 Corvette owners: HELP

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Old May 20, 2014 | 08:45 PM
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Default 1980 Corvette owners: HELP

I guess you could say I just repaired/overhauled my center bezel and gauges. I pulled all out including the shifter bezel. I did numerous things and all is back together now. BUT, I don't remember if what I am hearing now did it before the work. Now, when I turn the ignition key and stop just before cranking, not all the way, stopping at the last position where the lights and radio comes on, I hear like the fan running. If I leave it there it sounds like its running on a low speed. All switches are off. Is this normal? Does anyone's do the same? I just don't remember if it did it or not before the work.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 08:58 PM
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If I remember correctly there is no way to shut the fan off, its always running at one speed or another.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 09:25 PM
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Normal
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Old May 20, 2014 | 09:27 PM
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Just be glad your fan speed selector switch is properly working! Lol Yea... That is normal... Something about constant recirculating air...

My switch however gives me full, or off... Not sure yet if I want to 'fix' it... Lol. It was working,. Then stopped.. But I still get full fan or off... And kinda enjoy that at the moment...
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Old May 20, 2014 | 09:27 PM
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Yep. Built-in, factory engineered annoyance.
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Old May 20, 2014 | 09:30 PM
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Factory SAFETY device to pressurize the cabin to keep out c02

Normal, annoying, but leave it alone.

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Old May 20, 2014 | 09:56 PM
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Old May 21, 2014 | 12:24 AM
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Default Hallelujah!!

Thanks to all. That is great news and I'm relived. I really didn't want to start trying to figure out the problem if there was one. Not to good on electrical... Thanks..
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Old May 21, 2014 | 12:20 PM
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Default The engine is not running:

Just wanting to make sure. Also that my message was clear.

To be clear. The engine has not been started. I hear this with the key turned on just before the starting position..??
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Old May 21, 2014 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 401KVette
Just wanting to make sure. Also that my message was clear.

To be clear. The engine has not been started. I hear this with the key turned on just before the starting position..??
You are turning the Key to the Run position. When its in the Run position everything is well "Running ". Turning the Key further engages the Starter Motor, but only as long as You are holding it, its spring loaded so as soon as You are done with the starter motor it returns to the Run position, where hopefully everything including the Fan are Running.
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Old May 21, 2014 | 12:39 PM
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It's your heater fan blower motor kicking on at whatever speed you have the switch set at when the key is turned to the 'run ' position...

If your electric fan blower motor, is blowing air inside the cab(not the cooling fan at the radiator) then this is normal... If it's making any obscene noises like the bearing is going out... They are super easy, and cheap to replace($14.99 for a c3 blower motor )... If you are wanting MORE airflow, you can buy a c4 fan and find a c4 fan cage, modify an adapter to make up the difference in height , and get MORE airflow out of your vents ... There are threads here about doing just that.
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Old May 21, 2014 | 12:49 PM
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All vintage GM vehicles did this. Perfectly normal
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Old May 21, 2014 | 09:05 PM
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Default Thanks:

Great, I have no problem. It's working as it should. Thanks to all...
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Old May 22, 2014 | 02:30 PM
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as time goes on you will come across may more items on these cars that will make you scratch your head. Enjoy!!!
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Old May 22, 2014 | 04:35 PM
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Yep. Off=low... Although I did come across a mod here on the forums (I believe it involved bending or removing a contact point or two in the control module.) to make off=off. I'll have to look for it again as I see no reason for the fan (and mine is a bit noisy anyway) to run all the time. Likely draws more heat into the cabin; definitely not a feature I need!
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Old May 22, 2014 | 06:57 PM
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A c3 blower fan takes minutes to replace, and costs $14.99... Just sayin ... Found out recently myself. ;-) solved all my 'noisy' fan issues!! Bearing was hashed!
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Old Aug 10, 2014 | 08:03 PM
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Just for those who may stumble on this thread later. I removed the brown wire from the connector on top of the heater/ac box and taped it up. The wire connector will slide out of the plastic plug with the use of a small flat-head screwdriver. Took 5 seconds, and now "off" is actually off- low, med and high are unaffected. I've never even driven my car with t-tops on and windows up, so I'm not worried about cabin ventilation issues. I'm more concerned with limiting engine heat inflow...

One of these days I'll get the AC fixed!
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To 1980 Corvette owners: HELP

Old Aug 10, 2014 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SciVette
Just for those who may stumble on this thread later. I removed the brown wire from the connector on top of the heater/ac box and taped it up. The wire connector will slide out of the plastic plug with the use of a small flat-head screwdriver. Took 5 seconds, and now "off" is actually off- low, med and high are unaffected. I've never even driven my car with t-tops on and windows up, so I'm not worried about cabin ventilation issues. I'm more concerned with limiting engine heat inflow...

One of these days I'll get the AC fixed!
Can you show pic of this connector's location? Sounds like a GREAT mod....

Thanks!
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Old Aug 12, 2014 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by maxmachz
Can you show pic of this connector's location? Sounds like a GREAT mod....

Thanks!
The connector is on the AC/box at the firewall- passenger side.



On an '80 the dark brown wire (rearmost) is the lead for the "off but still running on low" speed. Using a small flathead screwdriver you can remove the wire from the connector seat... Now off is truly off, and all the other fan speeds are unaffected.



It's a quick change that can easily be reversed. Some think it's a bad idea because it means no continuous fresh air flow into the cabin, but my Vette is a fair-weather toy, and I'll never be driving it with tops on and windows up (especially here in hot E. TX). It's also a good idea to quickly pull the whole connector and clean up the contact points for all wires. Mine had light rust and grunge...
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Old Aug 13, 2014 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by SciVette
The connector is on the AC/box at the firewall- passenger side.



On an '80 the dark brown wire (rearmost) is the lead for the "off but still running on low" speed. Using a small flathead screwdriver you can remove the wire from the connector seat... Now off is truly off, and all the other fan speeds are unaffected.



It's a quick change that can easily be reversed. Some think it's a bad idea because it means no continuous fresh air flow into the cabin, but my Vette is a fair-weather toy, and I'll never be driving it with tops on and windows up (especially here in hot E. TX). It's also a good idea to quickly pull the whole connector and clean up the contact points for all wires. Mine had light rust and grunge...
Coool. Good to know. Thanks
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