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

1977 weird electrical issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 08:52 AM
  #1  
jgcable's Avatar
jgcable
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 21
From: Milford, CT
Default 1977 weird electrical issues

On my 77 I have some weird electrical issues. My turn signal indicators work whether the ignition is on or off with the key removed. They are very dim though. If I start the car they work correctly. My heater/AC blower motor doesn't work at all. I did disconnect all the connectors from the windshield wiper motor and I read that they are somehow interconnected? My headlights pop up when I turn my lights on but they don't retract. Lastly... my passenger side window went down but it won't come back up. I can see the draw in the volt meter when I activate the switch and I can see the window make a slight move but it doesn't go up. My car hasn't been "Bubba'd". All the wiring appears to be factory fresh except for the wires that went to the factory radio that were cut when an aftermarket radio was installed 25 years ago.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 09:46 AM
  #2  
doorgunner's Avatar
doorgunner
2026 Loser of the Year
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,599
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Default

Forum members always tell me "Bad Ground" when weird things begin to happen with electrical components.

The problem is to find a diagram that shows where all the vehicle harness' ground wires are located so you can inspect them for looseness or corrosion.

Does anyone have a "ground wire" diagram that they can post or refer us to?
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 02:48 PM
  #3  
69Vett's Avatar
69Vett
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

it is much less confusing if you post 1 problem at a time.
you will get better results.
turn signal working all the time is incorrect,
you should have 12dvc on the purple wire on the steering column connector,
only when key is on.
lit dimly means something is back feeding(providing voltage when it should not be.)
the purple wire is the supply for turn signals with key on. (should be 0v with key off.
I would verify the Harmonica connector on the steering column is fully engaged correctly with clean contacts. I would also check electrical connections, and rod position adjustment of the ignition switch on top of the column.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 04:28 PM
  #4  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

I would check the ground on the blower motor and wipers. They are the same wire and are often hooked up wrong to the starter hot.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 06:50 PM
  #5  
SH-60B's Avatar
SH-60B
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Default

The headlights not retracting is a vacuum issue, not electrical. Look for any cracks in all the vacuum lines and replace as needed. I think you have power to the window that's stuck down, just the support spring is too weak to assist the window going up. Pretty common problem with a C3.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 08:03 PM
  #6  
jgcable's Avatar
jgcable
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 21
From: Milford, CT
Default

Originally Posted by wombvette
I would check the ground on the blower motor and wipers. They are the same wire and are often hooked up wrong to the starter hot.
The wiper motor has 2 connectors on it. One is a 3 pin. Lt. Blue, yellow and black. The other is a single pin connector with a black wire. This one has a constant 12v with the ignition on or off.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 11:24 PM
  #7  
wombvette's Avatar
wombvette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Default

Yep, it is hooked up wrong. Follow that black to the starter. Remove it from the hot and put it to ground.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2015 | 11:41 PM
  #8  
lowes-yellow77's Avatar
lowes-yellow77
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: oak harbor wa
Default I made this

I made this for someone else having all kinds of weird electrical issues tears ago on a 77 corvette. I have chased and probably know every wire on my car by now, but I wanted everything to work.

Im sure your on the right track with the ground but if not might wanna keep this picture handy
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 11, 2015 | 11:30 AM
  #9  
jgcable's Avatar
jgcable
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 21
From: Milford, CT
Default

Originally Posted by wombvette
Yep, it is hooked up wrong. Follow that black to the starter. Remove it from the hot and put it to ground.
I did itbut no change. Blower motor still doesnt work.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1977 weird electrical issues





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:40 AM.

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