Check Engine Light

[Tifton81]

I purchased my vette two years ago and the old stock carb was in pretty bad shape. I replaced the carb with another stock carb and when I test drove the car I noticed a change in the way the automatic transmission shifited. It would now pass through the gears quickly into what appears to be overdrive. I was told this was the way it was intended to operate. No Problem.....

OK, here's my problem. I just returned from a business trip and started the car. The check engine light came on and I noticed the carb didn't seem the same. I normally have to start it a couple of times when colde to keep it running. I took it out for a drive and the transmission is now shifting the same as when I bought it and the car dosen't seem to have as much power....

What is the connection between the carb and the transmission in shifting and what apears to be a loss in power?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[mick_s3]

The carb is worn out in some fashion, o-ring, gasket, seal maybe, and it is causing it to not create the proper vacuum.

;help

Mick

 

[Tifton81]

Here's another problem, my headlights are now coming up slowly and sometimes not at all. I have checked the carb for any signs of hoses off etc...The carb is a new carb that's only been on the vehicle since last October.

Does anyone have a picture / view of the vacum connections for the 1981 vette? During my inspection of the carb, I noticed a small stem outlet that looks like it should have something connected to it but I can't find any loose hoses. This stem is located on the left front of the carb. Any ideas?

Would this problem also cause the headlights not to opperate properly?

 

[DDLS3]

Head light operators are often a major source of lost vacuum as are the hoses. You will need to check thourally for split or disconnected lines. If your lines are all in good shape then the leakage may be the seals on the headlight operators themselves or possibly the vacuum resevoir which is that painted black coffee can up between the headights.

 

[Tifton81]

Problem Found

The problem in living in a small south Georgia town is trying to find a qualified person to work on a vette.

I thought I had a vacumn problem and actually did, but the check engine light stayed on. We resent or at least we thought we reset the computer but still had the light on after all that.

Finally found a shop that said they could run a test and to bring it on over, well after getting there, I waited while this guy had his head under the hood of some little rice burner.
He connected to the computer and after a few minutes said "This thing is fried".

So, I went home, put the car in the garage and let it cool down, cause it was running warm, not shifting correctly and sounded like it needed a tune up.

After a 30 minute break, I broke out the manuals and pulled open the battery compartment. I checked the connections for the computer. I turned the car on and started it. Still the same. So, in a fit of rage, I slapped the computer a couple of times and guess what, engine light off, engine back to life, shifting correctly and running cooler. Anyway, I know the problem is either the connection or something loose in the actual computer.

Just wanted to share this .....

Wiley
:duh

 

[mick_s3]

Re: Problem Found

So, in a fit of rage, I slapped the computer a couple of times and guess what, engine light off, engine back to life, shifting correctly and running cooler. Anyway, I know the problem is either the connection or something loose in the actual computer.

Just wanted to share this .....

Wiley
:duh

Ouch. Sorry to hear that.

:cry

Mick

 

[Yoda]

Wiley,

Check out this from the L81 Forum Section some good info on our Computers and associated costs

 

[Tifton81]

Thanks Guys....I'm having the car checked by a trusted corvette guy, "Corvette John". He had a small shop in Valdosta, GA. but closed for a while. Well, he's now back in Business in Atlanta and just by chance, I ran into him. This guy knows everything about vetts and can do just about any type of repair you need.

If you are familiar with a place called "The Last Detail", he's selling Vettes at that location (the old location) not the new location of "The Last Detail". Anyway, his name is John Green and he's a very honest guy, hard to find these days.

I'm glad he's back.

Wiley

:BOW :BOW