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

AIR COND.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 8, 2003 | 05:51 PM
  #1  
VETTESALESMAN's Avatar
VETTESALESMAN
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default AIR COND.

HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE CAN SHED A LITTLE LIGHT ON MY PROBLEM!! I HAVE A 1980 COUPE, WHEN I TURN THE A/C ON IT WILL ONLY COME OUT OF THE FLOOR VENTS AND NOT THE DASH VENTS. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE VACCUM VALVE IN THE DASH, PUT ANOTHER ONE IN STILL DOING THE SAME THING. ON THAT VALVE IF YOU PULL THE ARM DOWN AND HOLD IT THE AIR WILL TRANSFER OUT OF THE VENTS, AS SOON AS YOU LET THE ARM GO THE VACCUM PULLS THE ARM BACK IN AND THE AIR JUST BLOWS OUT THE FLOOR VENT AGAIN, :smash: ANY SUGGESTIONS? VETTESALESMAN
Reply
Old May 8, 2003 | 06:21 PM
  #2  
Bobchad's Avatar
Bobchad
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Default Re: AIR COND. (VETTESALESMAN)

When you talk about the valve, I'm assuming you are talking about the actuator on the left side of what I call the air distributor. Do you have vacuum coming to this on at least one of the positions of the selector in the center console. If not, you need to trace back and find out where the vacuum ends. If you have no vacuum you won't get movement.

I had the same problem but had vacuum coming into the multi port vacuum connector on the back of the slider (I don't remember which of the vacuum hoses back there was the supply). I replaced the whole unit and my problem went away.
Reply
Old May 8, 2003 | 06:24 PM
  #3  
77Dream's Avatar
77Dream
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA Website: ChrisMitchell.us
Default Re: AIR COND. (VETTESALESMAN)

Welcome to the forum :seeya

I would look at the AC control panel. Make sure that it is hooked up/working properly.
Reply
Old May 8, 2003 | 07:10 PM
  #4  
Captain Morgan's Avatar
Captain Morgan
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: AIR COND. (VETTESALESMAN)

You have a vacuum leak somewhere in the system. Mine was in the main line that goes to the control valve. I used a vac pump to test all of the actuators and I could get it to blow out the dash vents like that and it didn't leak off, so I knew the actuators were good. It took some chasing but I discovered there is a vacuum line that runs parallel to the wipers and is in the engine compartment and that is the main line (on my 79). The hose had come loose somehow. I reattached it and used a zip tie to keep it tight and don't have the problem anymore.
Reply
Old May 8, 2003 | 09:35 PM
  #5  
slim's Avatar
slim
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: brownwood, tx
Default Re: AIR COND. (VETTESALESMAN)

My '80 was doing the same thing. If you move the lever over to the "vent" position, is air coming out of the a/c vents? Mine did this & after it started coming out of the top vents, I could move the lever to the a/c position & the air would continue to blow -- only now it would be cold. After doing this for several days, I found that it started working normal. I guess something was stuck or gummed up & just needed to be operated a few times to loosen it up...Hope this helps.
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 05:33 PM
  #6  
VETTESALESMAN's Avatar
VETTESALESMAN
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default Re: AIR COND. (slim)

Thanks for the input Slim, I've tried this, and it just isn't working. I'm probrably going to have to put everthing back together in the dash and start taking apart the console, it might be the control unit itself. Back to the drawing board, as much as I've had this car apart I should be able to troubleshoot this thing in my sleep. :crazy:
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 05:36 PM
  #7  
VETTESALESMAN's Avatar
VETTESALESMAN
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default Re: AIR COND. (77Dream)

Thanks for the reply, I won't have a chance to work on it this week, but I will keep that suggestion in mind-. :)
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 05:42 PM
  #8  
VETTESALESMAN's Avatar
VETTESALESMAN
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Default Re: AIR COND. (Captain Morgan)

I know exactly what hose you are talking about, because 2 years ago when I refreshed the engine and tranny I also replaced all of the vaccum hoses with the color keyed kit. Thanks for the reply :)
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 12, 2003 | 08:44 PM
  #9  
Captain Morgan's Avatar
Captain Morgan
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: AIR COND. (VETTESALESMAN)

I know exactly what hose you are talking about, because 2 years ago when I refreshed the engine and tranny I also replaced all of the vaccum hoses with the color keyed kit. Thanks for the reply :)
If you don't have a vacuum pump, you can pick one up fairly cheap and any chain auto store. Hook the pump up to that hose (since it's the main vac line to the switch), plug the other part of the line, start the car, turn on the A/C and then use the pump to induce vacuum. If the A/C starts blowing out the vents instead of to the floor, then you know the leak is before the switch. If you induce a vacuum and the pump leaks off, then the next step is to induce the vacuum farther down the line. The half-split method is great for these types of problems. Start at one point, then if you don't solve the problem go halfway between that point and the end. Eventually you'll solve the problem without having to test every single component from start to finish.
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 08:49 PM
  #10  
dath's Avatar
dath
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 2
From: Beaverton, OR
Default Re: AIR COND. (Captain Morgan)

I reattached it and used a zip tie to keep it tight and don't have the problem anymore.
Hmmm... Zip tie under the hood... Hmmm, sounds like a bit of Bubba has rubbed off on you too ;)
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 08:56 PM
  #11  
Captain Morgan's Avatar
Captain Morgan
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Default Re: AIR COND. (dath)

:lol: Yeah, maybe a little bit. Hey, it's worked for two years. ;)
Reply
Old May 12, 2003 | 09:47 PM
  #12  
dogboy's Avatar
dogboy
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
Default Re: AIR COND. (Captain Morgan)

I'm not sure if the 77 is the same but the problem was just as yours. It was the small vac hose from the rubber gromet that goes from out of the firewall behind the distributor towards the pass side. It had a split in the small ridgid white plastic piece that the black vac hose slip on to. It was dangling on just enough to hold the vac line but letting alll the air escape. I cut what was left of it and slid the hose over and presto the top vents kicked in. I hope its that simple for you although it took me some time to locate it. Good luck. BTW I order a hot rod air kit for my car which I hope will be coming soon. It will be a whole new sanden system.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To AIR COND.





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:25 AM.

story-0
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-1
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
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE