Questions about 79

[justinj]

CAr is an 1979 L82 auto with 86k

Couple of questions:
Previous owner removed smog pump and catalytic converter there is not any emmission checks here any downside to the removal or will there be an HP increase.

Horn does not blow and power antenna will not raise previous owner removed fuse because he said it kept blowing looked at the fuse box and everything looks to be there, I think the horn fuse is with the hazard lights and they work so I am going to replace the relay. I think it is a little white box with three male prongs.

All interior light bulbs are gone dome light, glove box and both floorboad lights, is there a relay for this and would this have anything to do with the horn and antenna issue.

Under the sterring wheel there is a little black knob that pulls down, is that related to the alram which doesn't work I imagine on account of the horns.

Car is great mechanicly runs great with cold A/C just the little thinks driving me nuts. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

The b;ack knob under the dash is the headlight vaccum override. The horn problem is most likely in the horn button contacts or the horn it self. The horns are behind the grill and the electrical connection rust up . Then the horns don't work. I check that first. See if there is power to the horn when the button is pushed. Try the simple things first; see if there is power to what is not working then work your way back.


Hope this helps in some way.

Gary

 

[mkapp7879]

The antenna is on the interior lights fuse. Also the cig. lighter, check if that works. All the missing interior light bulbs sounds like a common "fix" for a defectice delay timer. That's located behind the glovebox to the far right. Orange thing usually just hanging from the wires. If you put all the bulbs back in and they won't go out, check the timer. The anti-theft is also on the int. lights fuse, maybe a problem with that? Seperate horn, tucked down in the fender below the power brake booster. The antennas aren't very dependable, motor might have kept running so pulled the fuse. Make sure the fuse is in and good and the int.bulbs and see where that gets you.
I agree about the horn, check the 2 horns first, use a test light on the wiring and try running a direct hot wire to each horn. You have the hazards and stop lights so it's not the fuse.
Mike

 

[79-L-82]

CAr is an 1979 L82 auto with 86k

Couple of questions:
Previous owner removed smog pump and catalytic converter there is not any emmission checks here any downside to the removal or will there be an HP increase.

Mine has had the smog stuff removed as well. (previous owner)
There should be a small power increase without the pump and cat.

It will cause no harm to the car.

 

[justinj]

Need a little more help. The horns work I direct wired them and they are good and loud. Everything that is wrong is connected to one fuse. Cig lighter, interior lights, horn and alarm and power antenna. Bought a new relay and stills blows fuses. Anything less than a 30 immediatly a 30 amp last about 10 seconds. I think I have a loose ground, but where to start looking?

 

[Robin7TFour]

Cigarette lighters are notorious for going bad and shorting out.pull the (+) wire off and check again. you may go thru alot of fuses but just keep unplugging items till the fuse blowing stops. last one will be the culprit(wonder how he's doing)

Robin

 

[mkapp7879]

Doesn't sound like a loose ground. Sounds like a hot lead making ground. You were right before that the horn is on the hazard lights fuse. Which fuse are you replacing? If it's the interior lights/alarm/lighter/clock I'd suggest unplugging the antenna at the antenna. If you don't see the connector it might be up in the body beyond the grommet, just pull the grommet out. Exposed to the weather down there, might be a burned out motor. Make sure the lighter is popped out. Did you check behind the glovebox(6 screws) for the delay timer? I don't know but I have heard that you can't just disconnect it. Maybe someone thought they could rig it up to work without it?
If your replacing the horn/hazard/stop fuse, there could be a bad wire or contact in the steering column. But it should be two different problems. If it is not the horn fuse you're replacing, the horn problem is probably a bad contact at the horn button.
Also, stick with the proper 20 amp fuses, don't push your luck!!
Mike

 

[Culprit]

I would combine Robin and mdapp7879's advice - the hot lead from the cig lighter making ground. When I took my center console apart for some parking brake work, the cig lighter hot lead had come loose and was laying loose inside - just a matter of time before I hit a bump and it touched the wrong thing.

Hope you find it soon.

Robin - yes, I'm still alive and kicking over here. The Marines here are making me proud and upholding the grand traditions of the Corps.

Semper Fidelis,
Culprit

 

[Robin7TFour]

stealin' the thread for a moment.......Glad you're ok there Culprit.i am sure you are doing an excellent job of keeping the 'Corps' tradition alive.
hopefully hurricane Frances will turn north real soon and miss us. i am hoping Orlando will be here for you to visit!!
keep that kevlar superman suit on! we're praying for everyone's safe return

hunker'd down in florida

 

[justinj]

Finally found the culprit. The last thing I checked was the alarm horn and the fuse held. So after unplugging the power antenna, the horns, taking apart the center console for the cig lighter and taking out the glove box to the unhook the delay timer it turns out to be the easiest one to get at.

 

[mkapp7879]

Isn't that how it always goes? Last thing to check is the fix! Still feels good, tho.
Mike