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Topic: toggle switch on console????

in Forum: C3 Interior


toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/22/03 11:12pm Message 1 of 15
Former Member
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Joined: 4/22/2003
Posts: 18
Vette(s): 1979 black with light tan interior. Purchased on EBAY out of Fort Myers Beach,FL. in Jan. 2003. Good driver--some mechanical problems.
I recently purchased a 79 vette and do not have any manuals or other informational literature. There is a small toggle switch on the center console located left of the heater/AC controls. I can not determine the function of this switch--please tell me what this switch is supposed to do.
Thanks for any help---got a few mechanical problems with my new toy but it's great to be a vette owner!!!! ||smile|


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toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/23/03 8:38am Message 2 of 15
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BRADENTON, FL - USA
Joined: 8/4/2002
Posts: 669
Vette(s): 1972 convertible 350 auto trans, delux int, air, ps, pb, t/t wheel, pw, 79,000 org miles Rare one year only color
should not be any switch there. Someone added it for some unknown reason. you'll have to trace the wires to see what it's hooked up to. power antenna, fog lights, who knows.


|IMG|http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/1301_1400/1333/br80.jpg |/IMG|

toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/23/03 8:57am Message 3 of 15
Former Member
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Joined: 4/11/2002
Posts: 327
Maybe it is for the rear window defroster ?
Normand



toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/23/03 11:15am Message 4 of 15
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NANTY GLO, PA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2002
Posts: 358
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray - Hooker Headers and Sidepips
Hey, I have noticed that my 74 has a switch too. It appears to be a directional switch for the dash vents. It isnt in my owners manual either.. I am sure it is a factory installed or someone redesigned the dash on my Vette to make it look like it was built there. I am not certain that is it's purpose, so I would appreciate any other info on the switch too. |wavey| |saluteflag|


|IMG|http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/901_1000/913/vetterrs1.jpg |/IMG|

toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/23/03 11:44am Message 5 of 15
Former Member
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BRADENTON, FL - USA
Joined: 8/4/2002
Posts: 669
Vette(s): 1972 convertible 350 auto trans, delux int, air, ps, pb, t/t wheel, pw, 79,000 org miles Rare one year only color
i was thinking of the console between the seats,. you mean the gauge panel above the radio. the little switch next to the vent closes the center vent. shine a flashlight into the vent and move the switch you will see the rubber door close. |idea|


|IMG|http://www.c3vr.com/member_uploads/1301_1400/1333/br80.jpg |/IMG|

toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/23/03 10:47pm Message 6 of 15
Former Member
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Joined: 4/22/2003
Posts: 18
Vette(s): 1979 black with light tan interior. Purchased on EBAY out of Fort Myers Beach,FL. in Jan. 2003. Good driver--some mechanical problems.
Thanks to all who responded---the small toggle switch is located on the console between the seats just to the left of the heater/AC sliding control levers. There is a small light in the console next to this toggle switch but the light doesn't come on regardless of the position of the switch. One of the responses suggested that the switch might activate the rear window defroster system--I had thought that this might be the function but since I've never had frost on the glass (yet) I havn't had a chance to check this out.
Thanks again to all who replied. |headscratch|


toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/24/03 6:51am Message 7 of 15
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United Kingdom
Joined: 10/4/2002
Posts: 122
Vette(s): Red 1980 350 auto w/ quickshsift Edelbrock intake / carb Crane Fireball cam 0 - 60 6.3s
What you are describing is definitely the rear defogger, that is, if the 79's are like my 8o in that respect. There's a little green light, down and to the side of the switch, but still part of the actual switch body, right? I think if you look closely, some of the "rear defog" script might be visible still, it wears off over time.
This switch controls a relay, which operates the defogger. The relay is in the jack box in the 80, on the panel behind the passenger seat. If there is more than one relay down there, like power antenna etc, then the one you want is on the far right as you look down, facing the rear of the car (i.e drivers side). I imagine it would be the same for yours. If yours is working, you should hear a hefty clunk of the relay when you switch it on. That little light should come on too. Mine didn't work to begin with, but i never thought much of it. Then i took the centre console out, and it seems i dislodged the switch in a way that made it start up again. So if you really want to get it going, have a fiddle around with the switch from underneath, check for power, good ground etc. In mine its on the same fuse as the gauges (20A)
Although mine started working, I discovered that some idiot has stuck a sticker on the heater elements, and then pulled it off, meaning that i get a central strip of "fog" right in my line of sight, where the elements are broken....

There's some good info on this system at the norwegian C3 site, but it's aimed at the 1980 vette. I'm sure there are similarities though. http://iotech.no/corvette/index.htm Theres a technical article on the rear defog timing, and also plenty of wiring diagrams. (I mean plenty!)
Good luck

|cheers|


|IMG|http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~eaztl1/images/vette_4_sig.jpg |/IMG| Red 1980 350 auto w/ quickshsift Edelbrock intake / carb Crane Fireball cam 0 - 60 6.3s

toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/24/03 10:28pm Message 8 of 15
Former Member
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Joined: 4/22/2003
Posts: 18
Vette(s): 1979 black with light tan interior. Purchased on EBAY out of Fort Myers Beach,FL. in Jan. 2003. Good driver--some mechanical problems.
Thanks to Theo for a very helpful description of the "mystery" switch.
It's very helpful for new vette owners, like me, to hear from you guys who have worked with them for years.
|thumb|


toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/25/03 6:42am Message 9 of 15
Former Member
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United Kingdom
Joined: 10/4/2002
Posts: 122
Vette(s): Red 1980 350 auto w/ quickshsift Edelbrock intake / carb Crane Fireball cam 0 - 60 6.3s
I take that as a really great compliment, as I've only had a vette for a little under a year!
I just like to know how things work, I guess. Sad but true.
But you're right, they are folks on here who seem to know everything there is to be knowed(!)
Just what us "recent" owners need!

|cheers|


|IMG|http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~eaztl1/images/vette_4_sig.jpg |/IMG| Red 1980 350 auto w/ quickshsift Edelbrock intake / carb Crane Fireball cam 0 - 60 6.3s

toggle switch on console????

Posted: 4/26/03 9:09pm Message 10 of 15
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Toms River, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/24/2003
Posts: 105
Vette(s): '79 L82 4spd
I have a '79 w/ the toggle to the left of the heater/ac controls. Mine makes the antenna go up & down. Maybe that's what yours is for also but you're one of the many that the electric antenna doesn't work.


EdelBrock Performer w/ 750 doub pumper,port/polished heads, triple cut valves w/4th cut down the throat of the exhaust valves, 286 Comp Magnum cam, 1.6 roller rockers, ball-peen pushrods w/guides, screw in rocker studs w/girdles, Comp double-roller chain, , hi-rise valves covers w/ spacer (needed for the girdles), Flowtech by Holley long-tube ceramic coated headers into Stage II pipes (no cats), chrome wire looms for the MSD 8.5 mm wires, MSD 50,000v coil kit w/advance springs, cap, rotor, module, steel-braided radiator,heater,vacuum hoses, Infinity Kappa 4x6 plates (dash), Sony Xplode 6 3/4" (rear), chrome T-stat housing, A-arm shields, B&M Hammerhead shifter |IMG||/IMG|

in Forum: C3 Interior


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