1981 Vette Alarm

[gambit]

I found this in the forum, and it left me with a few questions

"Bro...if I am not mistaken, when you hit your power lock switch and close the doors..once the interior light goes out after it's delay timer has gone out the alarm is armed. Now here is where the key comes in...lets say you locked your car with the power locks..and your windows are down..if you reach in and unlock the doors with the power switch..then open the door the alarm will go off...now you need to put the key in the door lock to "deactivate the alarm/starter kill switch" you will know when you turn if off successfully as your blarring horn will stop and you will be able to start your car. Hope this info helps.."

My power door locks will LOCK the car, but they dont UNLOCK the car, is that normal?
So by using the power door locks to lock the car, that sets the alarm? and by using the key in the door to unlock the car, that dis arms it? (didnt work for me the first time)

Also one of my power windows wont roll up all the way with the door shut, but if I open the door it will roll up that extra half an inch. Got any clues?

Also my interior light only works when you turn the knob to the right. it doesnt work when I open the door. how do I get it to fade out after a few minutes as this post says it will?

 

[craig32]

Gambit,
Welcome to the CAC and the Corvette world in general! If Bud didn't already tell you, check out the L81 Corvette registry.
The alarm system is activated by hitting the power lock, maybe just the driver's side. To deactivate it, you need to use the key in the driver's door. Apparently the 'male chauvinist pigs' at GM didn't feel the need for you to open the door for your gal, but to open your own door first! If your lock system is not 100%, your alarm will malfunction - ask anyone for their story how they discovered this!!! If your switch locks the doors but does not unlock them, that is the problem with your alarm. You either have a bad switch or wiring harness to it. Also, make sure you have the right switch if you change one. I got one from AA and it wasn't the same and didn't work right - would lock but not unlock. Good luck with it.
As for the window, either the weather strip is getting worn or the window itself needs adjusted. Get a shop manual as suggested in another post, it will have directions for all these proceedures. Don't let these little things dampen your enthusiasm for your car!

Craig