Finally got My Vette, Now some Questions?

[snakeman56]

Hi, I finally got my new toy 1980 L82 and I love it. I was doing my checkup and found a few things that I would like to ask you guys.

1. When I turn on the headlights it takes about 30 seconds for them to open, is this normal? and one come up first and then the other. If it not normal what must be done to fix it?

2. On the electric antena the screw that goes in from the top to the inside of the fender well is not attached to anything. Should it be screwed into a nut of some sort? I tried to look but it's getting dark, so I will wait till the morning. I am talking about the screw that has 4 notches on the edge. From looking at it I say it should be secured. Please advise.

3. Where can I get a new leather boot that goes on the stick shift? It's an automatic.

I will be taking some picture tomorow and I will post them.

Sorry for such a long post and I am sure I will have many more, this is my very first vette.

Thanks
Tom

 

[L82Dan]

Hi Snakeman,

I don't think I can give exact answer to your headlamp problem, but it probably caused by a vacuum leak, kinked vacuum hose or just poor vacuum to the headlamp system. Mine activate in about 5 seconds and yes, sometimes the right one is slower than the left. I can live with that.

You can buy those shift boots from any of the top Corvette aftermarket companies like Corvette Central, Mid-America, Eklers, etc. They even have them in colors to match your interior, if you want to change from black.

As far as the power antenna goes, my response would be it depends on whether it is the original equipment version or an aftermarket replacement. The factory one broke on my car after about 23 years. I purchased the GM replacement which looks very much like the original. I only had to alter one piece on and it fit right in just like original. The silver nut on top (chrome bezel) screws into the antenna shaft on my version. That is also how the original one was. So, if you have one of the other style replacements, its installation may be different. Without seeing it, I'd say you have a non-original part. Be sure to NOT drive the car before you work on the antenna, as the muffler (HOT) is in the way. When mine failed, the motor inside kept running (even with ignition off) and I burned my arm cuttings the wires to it!

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

 

[LanceB]

Headlights - vacuum leak - cannister is usually culprit if you can't find a leak in any hoses. Redid all of mine and they pop up fast. Somewhat easy fix, but you will find Vettes are sometimes a little difficult to reach everything like you want to.

 

[snakeman56]

Headlights - vacuum leak - cannister is usually culprit if you can't find a leak in any hoses. Redid all of mine and they pop up fast. Somewhat easy fix, but you will find Vettes are sometimes a little difficult to reach everything like you want to.

Hi Lance, How hard was it to replace the hoses and I was thinking of replacing all of the hoses. How many feet will I need and what size are they??

Thanks
Tom

 

[jdp6000]

Sounds like the headlight system has a vac leak. Headlight troubleshooting is easy. First make sure all the hoses and connections are okay. The most likely cause is a vaccum leak in the actuator. Pop your hood, two rubber hoses come from each actuator the go to a diverter valve, its between the actuator....disconnect each hose at this point...blow and/or suck on each hose, your lights should go up and down. Once full up or down you should not be able to continue blowing air or sucking air. If you can blow air or suck air it suggests the rubber boot on the front of the actuator has ruptured. They are worth about $5 and easy to replace.

Shift boot is cheapest from Willcox. They also sell the rubber boots for the actuators.

Jim

 

[Eric]

Hi Lance, How hard was it to replace the hoses and I was thinking of replacing all of the hoses. How many feet will I need and what size are they??

Thanks
Tom

You're better off to buy a kit with the hoses that are color marked like the factory ones. That makes plugging them all in the right connections much easier. Again, all of the Corvette parts houses listed above would have the kits.

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

Tom
congrads. on the vette.....The first thing to purchase is the factory service manual...these can be bought on eBay for around $50.00....It will be the best investment you can make...

hope this helps

Mike

 

[Daryllawman]

Hi.......Just wanted to welcome you to the Corvette Action Center.....Enjoy !!!!!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

J. Myers at Vetteworks has an excellent description of how the system works making it easy to troubleshoot. The vaccum diagram is missing but I had downloaded it so I have it on my site. It's a little small but I've found that if you download it and make it bigger with a picture editor it is workable.

Welcome to the site.

 

[snakeman56]

Tom
congrads. on the vette.....The first thing to purchase is the factory service manual...these can be bought on eBay for around $50.00....It will be the best investment you can make...

hope this helps

Mike

I have all of the books the previous owner had them all, I have been reading them. I have decided to buy the Dr. Rebuild Kit for the headlights vacuun lines. Thanks for all of your help. Will let you know how it goes.

Tom

 

[captras]

Welcome to our heaven or hell...depends on the day and what you have to do I am new myself, only 8 months.....so a newby, and cant help with a lot of technical stuff, but mine headlights come up in about 5 seconds, and do come up quite fast. Good luck, and there are a bunch of great and knowlegeable members here to help you wiht just about any question!

 

[XLR8]

Welcome to the and congrats on your "new" Corvette.

Enjoy! And don't forget to wave!

JAG