Help a new owner!

[Eriwen]

I have purchased an '81 coupe in pretty good shape, except:

1. The oil gauge fluxuates while driving (from 0 to 40, etc.) Any ideas?

2. Did all vettes come equipped with security systems? I got out of the car a week ago, shut the door, opened it again and the horn started to beep and lights flashed on and off for a while and now I can't start the car...This may be a dumb question unless it is a short or some other electrical prob....

Thanks if you can help

 

[JohnZ]

If the oil pressure gauge needle really flips around while idling or driving at a steady pace, chances are it's an electrical issue (it's an electric gauge, not a direct pressure mechanical gauge), probably the sending unit.

The owner's manual will explain the operation of the security system.

 

[vettenick]

Congratulations on your purchase. You can disarm the system by turning either door lock cylinder with the key.
The oil gauge fluctuation is probably a worn sending unit. Inside is a little metal arm that rubs against a bar with wire wrapped around it. Usually when the arm gets to a worn spot the needle will dip.

 

[vettenick]

By the way, the system is armed by opening the door, locking it with the power door lock switch and then closing the door. If you don't do it in that sequence, it won't arm.

 

[Eriwen]

Yeah...but

But the power locks dont work...

 

[vettenick]

At this point are you able to disarm the system?

 

[Eriwen]

I'll try

I talked to a guy today who said to roll the window down and spray wd40 into the lock mechanism to turn off the alarm...i'll let you know....

 

[Yoda]

Eriwen,

The 81 was the first year to come with the ignition interrupt in the alarm circuit. You should be able to disable the alarm by either door key. Unlock both doors, then with the key in the ignition, turn key to the on, BUT DO NOT TRY to start the car. Turn the key to the off position remove it, then try to start it. By doing this you should be able to over ride the start interruption circuit. Your car should start if not I suspect the interrupt module, it is located in back of the passagers seat in the rear compartment, it will have "Black/White, Orange/Black, Yellow, Light Blue, Black, Green, Gray and Tan colored wires" going to it.

Try pulling the fuse "THEFT", 10amp toward the upper left side of the fuse box and see what happens.

I am wondering if you may also have an aftermarket alarm system installed, the part about the "Lights Flashing" when you set the alarm doesn't sound right to me :confused.

 

[bobsails]

I just bought my 81 in December and went to my first Corvette meeting two weeks ago. I was soon told that my alarm was going off in the parking lot. Yes the alsrm is factory standard. I have the original owners manual and if you need me to copy the pages dealing with the alarm just let me know.
Bob Kramer

 

[GerryLP]

Back to the oil pressure gauge...

You know guys, now that I am thinking of it, when I had the engine changed while at the Corvette Fest 2002, the mechanic swapped over all the attaching/supporting components from the L81 to the replacement block, and the oil pressure in the car used to fluctuate, but now it does not! :eek Same old gauge, same old sending unit...:confused

New oil pump (A high volume type) was installed, and the oil filter adapter was moved from the L81. Now, the gauge is steady as a rock, and I do not recall seeing it fluctuate anymore... :confused

Any opinions?

 

[bill81vette]

oil pressure

:confused gerryLP...it has been my experience that the older gm engines (The 350 design)
always had an oil psi fluxuation from an idle speed(as low as 5 psi) to hiway speed( up to 40 psi) even w\a reman engine...Just my.02

bill