PV Question

[Joe C.]

This question pertains to the 2 rear deck locking storage compartments for a 1985 Corvette. Are those compartment doors supposed to latch closed by simply closing the doors, or must you press the release button in order to latch them?
I'm the original owner of my 33,000 mile car, and I have always had to press the button in order to latch them. Simply pressing the door closed has never latched them shut. There is no lubricant present on the strikes and latches, nor has there ever been. I like it fine just the way it is, but for test purposes.............??? I don't want to fiddle with them until I know for sure how they should work. I need input from someone who knows for sure.
Thanks in advance.

Joe

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: PV Question

Joe, My 87 latches by simply closing them. I am the second owner, but it is a 19,000 mile car so it should still operate close to original. I am not sure that the 85 and 87 operate the same way, but I was fairly sure they did.

Jeff

[Joe C.]

Re: PV Question

Thanks Jeff. I moved the strikes ever so slightly (about 1/32"), and they now latch by simply closing them. That should satisfy the PV ****s this coming September in Boston!

Joe

PS: I agree that the 85-87 latches should all work the same way, in fact, the 84-90 are AFAIK, the same mechanism.

[Michael H.]

Re: PV Question

Joe,

I had the exact same problem with my 89. I disassembled the lock assy's and lubed the mech, and also adjusted the lock striker position. This completely cured the problem. Seemed that the lock tongue was binding in the housing and had absolutely no lube on it at all.

[Joe C.]

Re: PV Question

Michael:

Yes, I also put a very tiny amount of "3-in-1" machine oil into the lock mechanisms. With that, and the adjustments, the doors close simply by dropping them shut.

I never considered it a "problem", and, I use them so seldom, that I never really noticed anything was "amiss", at all. In talking with Al Tremain, and others, in prep for an upcoming PV attempt in Sept, I was told that they should latch without hitting the button. Anyway, now the doors close "by the book".

Now, if I can only get the engine to run with a lean misfire, surging and unstable idle, low shift points and converter lockup, as delivered, before the factory recall to change out the original PROM chip.

Joe

[Michael H.]

Re: PV Question

Joe,

While trying to find info on a slight idle problem I had with my 89, I found a site that listed and described all of the GM campaigns/problems with C4's. I vaguely remember something about the problems that you describe. If I have it, or can find it again, I'll send it to you.