1979 Electrical Questions

[21st]

So about 2 years ago I purchased a 79 Corvette which I knew had some problems but I just had to have it. The interior is pretty much all original and falling apart. She runs alright and there aren't a ton of electrical problems but the blinker doesn't work and the hazards don't work. Some of the gages don't work. There is this buzzing that happens when I turn the car off. I have a disconnect switch installed on the battery because it dies within 24 hours of turning the car off. I have tested the draw on the car and there is no current draw so there isn't a good explanation of why the battery keeps dying. So I've read on here that it isn't an easy job to replace the harness but that was my plan as I tear out the dashboard and gauges to replace all those. I guess I'm asking if that is a horrible idea just to replace everything. Or should I just fix one problem at a time? I also have wires and cables hanging out the bottom of the dash I have no idea where they go or what they go to. I'm just looking for advice on how to start and the best actions to take.

Sorry if this is kinda of all over the place.

Thanks in advance.

Jamie

 

[bill81vette]

1st Welcome to CAC,Jamie!!!!

do you have an assembly Instruction Manual or a factory service Manual???
If not,you should,these are the bibles to how the vette was built and should be repaired.
try to repair one thing at a time.
if you pull everything apart you'll be scratching your head wondering where everything goes.
and it is easier as well.
these older vettes are not that complex,just time consuming and require a lot of patience(and a couple of beers!!!!)
don't hesitate to ask questions,we've all been through this before!!!!

flashers/directional,check the flasher on the fuse panel.it is located down where your left foot would be
located on the fire wall.ans for the gauges,which ones don't work????
and last,how old is your battery???

 

[21st]

HI Bill Thank you.

I do have a manual that I look at to try to put things together. I'm kind of a planner so I'm trying to make a plan so I can start somewhere.

The battery is the first thing I replaced when I purchased the car so 2 years old. And it sat in a garage for a year while I was deployed without the battery connected.

The clock works sometimes, the temp gauge doesn't work at all, and my tachometer sticks.

My blinker is the first thing I would love to fix. The turning signal lever only moves in one direction. So I can push it up and make the right blinker turn on but it won't go in the lower position.

And I have wires hanging out by my break pedal. . . . I am not sure where they are supposed to go. or what they are for. So I don't know what to do with them.

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[TimAT]

1st Welcome to CAC,Jamie!!!!

do you have an assembly Instruction Manual or a factory service Manual???
If not,you should,these are the bibles to how the vette was built and should be repaired.
try to repair one thing at a time.
if you pull everything apart you'll be scratching your head wondering where everything goes.
and it is easier as well.
these older vettes are not that complex,just time consuming and require a lot of patience(and a LOT of beers!!!!)
don't hesitate to ask questions,we've all been through this before!!!!

flashers/directional,check the flasher on the fuse panel.it is located down where your left foot would be
located on the fire wall.ans for the gauges,which ones don't work????
and last,how old is your battery???

Fixed that for you Mr. Bill

That's done-
Make a list of what works and what doesn't, look at the wiring diagrams and see what could be common to any combination. Since you plan on having the dash out take a good look at the general condition of the wiring harness. Can you see places that look like they've been cut into? Bare wire? Splices?
The turn signal lever is a whole deal by itself- nothing exceptionally tough but if you've not been into a steering column they can be a bit daunting. Here's some help: http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/ This guy wrote the book on steering- from the column to the steering gear, he's the go to guy.

 

[bill81vette]

I would pull the battery and put a charge on it,as it sat for a year
BTW Thanks for your service!!!!!

 

[SVO]

FWIW, going into the dash can be a major task. Been there more than once with a couple of different cars, but if you take your time, it's doable. In pulling the dash, you will need to drop the steering column down to get the instrument cluster out. Since you may have issues with the steering column, I would suggest pulling the column out of the car. With it out of the way, dropping the dash then becomes much easier with the extra working room you gain. You may also find it helpful to pull the seats out also for the working room it gives you. The dash, for the most part, is plastic and you will need to proceed with care, as you may find the plastic to be brittle with age and the attachment clips can be easy broken. Take lots of photos as you disassemble the dash. Note how the harness is routed behind the dash and lay your new harness back in the same way. As far as replacing everything, I would check and replace only those items that need replacing. Use the best quality parts you can find. You also have a couple of vacuum hoses harness behind the dash and you should consider inspecting and replacing them if they look questionable. If you pull the steering column, consider replacing the rag joint at the steering box while your there. The tach not working is usually the circuit board, a common problem. If you replace the dash harness, you should consider replacing the rest of the car's wiring harness. Usually, the dash harness is the one part of the wiring system that is in the best shape, due to being inside the car and out of sight. If the dash harness is questionable, then the rest of the wiring system probably needs attention also. It's also the most expensive part of the harness. Anyway, main thing is to take your time and don't force anything. If you have problem getting something apart, post back and someone here can help you figure it out.

Good luck with your project,

Bob