my new 83 sc targa and some questions

[nineball]

got home from the 13 hours drive today and loved every minute of it, but my face and head look like a ripe tomato (targa off the whole trip). the only complaint would be the previous owner's "sound system". he installed a cheap pioneer hu and some speakers with an amp but either the installer did not know how to tune an amp or the amp is crap. my money is on the former. the entire way home the front speakers would work for 5 seconds then shut off for 5 seconds. doesn't sound like much until you drive 13 hours with that happening. the amp may be going but due to the on/off nature i think the gains were not set properly and it is being overdriven. he mounted the amp under the driver's seat so i could not get at it to swap the speaker wires either. god that was annoying.

no problems along the way but i do have a few questions.

on the dash, under the oil pressure gauge on the bottom, is a rocker switch. can't for the life of me figure out what it does. anyone?

top of the dash has a little red light with SWB or something similar on it. what is that for?

the light for the parking brake works but not for the seat belts. can anyone tell me when the seat belt light should normally be on? based on the age i doubt it but is there some sort of a sensor connected to the seat belts?

while it came with AC it does not work. in the middle of the seats, under the heater controls, is a button that says defrost. what is that for? i already have defrost on the normal controls as well as the rear defrost knob.

is there a way to recalibrate the speedo? mine is about 12-15% off.

i noticed during the few short times when i had the top on that it sounded like the defrost/heat fan was running when it was not on. it sounded just like it did when i had the fan on, only it wasn't. i then saw the vent in the hood just in front of it. is this a direct path for fresh air? if so it seems like at freeway speeds the air is rushing into the cabin and pushing the fan on it's own. is this the case? at first i thought it was coming in via the targa top but there is not a bit of air to be felt on the inside. it is a pretty loud sound and got to be annoying after a while.

the passenger side window does not go down all the way. the front sticks out just under an inch when "down" all the way. i am assuming this will be an easy fix once i get into the doors but does anyone have any insight?

the driver's lock only works via the key. try as i might i cannot get the round knob inside to spin nor does it move when i lock it with the key. again, once i get the panels off i will know more but looking for any insight on this as well.

lastly, where is the button for squirting the window washer fluid?


the body had a few more nicks and discoloration spots than the PO disclosed but i was already out of state to buy it with a one way ticket, and from 6' it looks perfect, so i will live with them for a few years until i get a respray. overall i am very happy with the purchase. not only did i get the car i wanted but i also got a car that will give me tons of projects to do over the next few years. that's is why the jag is going up for sale - i have nothing left to do to it

fwiw i averaged just over 23mpg for the trip with about 90% driving at 65-75mph.

[GothingNC]

Congrats !!
Like the color.


Rocker switch is for you power side mirror adjustment to toggle between R&L

Little round light is the oxygen sensor reminder that is supposed to light up every 30k

A/C - what's that?

Levers between the seats turn on the heat and front window defrost

Window height can be adjusted after removing door panel

Targa top can make all sorts of wind noise at speed

Wiper Fluid is activated by the toggle next to the speedo-It might not work if the check valves are clogged

I would recommend you pick up the Bentley manual and Wayne's 101 projects for you Porsche 911

Good luck and join

www.911scwdp.com

and check out Simons SC site

http://www.adelgigs.com/911sc.shtml

[GothingNC]

[SCWDP911]

Originally Posted by nineball

on the dash, under the oil pressure gauge on the bottom, is a rocker switch. can't for the life of me figure out what it does. anyone?

mirror selector for your electric mirrors. Joystick on driver's door near mirror

Originally Posted by nineball

top of the dash has a little red light with SWB or something similar on it. what is that for?

I think you are referring to the oxygen sensor light. Comes on when it goes bad (I think it is just mileage driven?). Most don't even have it I bet (meaning they remove it)

Originally Posted by nineball

the light for the parking brake works but not for the seat belts. can anyone tell me when the seat belt light should normally be on? based on the age i doubt it but is there some sort of a sensor connected to the seat belts?

I would check for burned out bulb first...

Originally Posted by nineball

while it came with AC it does not work. in the middle of the seats, under the heater controls, is a button that says defrost. what is that for? i already have defrost on the normal controls as well as the rear defrost knob.

Just an indicator lamp

Originally Posted by nineball

is there a way to recalibrate the speedo? mine is about 12-15% off.

seems like most are (mine is the same)

Originally Posted by nineball

i noticed during the few short times when i had the top on that it sounded like the defrost/heat fan was running when it was not on. it sounded just like it did when i had the fan on, only it wasn't. i then saw the vent in the hood just in front of it. is this a direct path for fresh air? if so it seems like at freeway speeds the air is rushing into the cabin and pushing the fan on it's own. is this the case? at first i thought it was coming in via the targa top but there is not a bit of air to be felt on the inside. it is a pretty loud sound and got to be annoying after a while.

Almost sounds like you had your trunk open...

Originally Posted by nineball

the passenger side window does not go down all the way. the front sticks out just under an inch when "down" all the way. i am assuming this will be an easy fix once i get into the doors but does anyone have any insight?

the driver's lock only works via the key. try as i might i cannot get the round knob inside to spin nor does it move when i lock it with the key. again, once i get the panels off i will know more but looking for any insight on this as well.

Weird, so does mine on both counts...

Originally Posted by nineball

lastly, where is the button for squirting the window washer fluid?

I think you pull the lever back slightly

Originally Posted by nineball

fwiw i averaged just over 23mpg for the trip with about 90% driving at 65-75mph.

Sounds in line with mine. Welcome to Pelican and the madness. Now make sure you join the Plot as well (see my sig).

[nineball]

thanks for the responses and the diagram gothingNC.

already have the bently manual, 101 projects and a few other books. can't wait to dive into the bowels of every system. first job (in a few weeks after the "newness" wears off) will be the tensioner update and blow off valve.

i am 99% certain the noise was not coming from the targa top. like i said, it sounded EXACTLY like the defrost fan when it is on high, only it was not on. i can't say for certain that the sound went away with the top off as everything was louder but there was no air to be felt anywhere along the front of the targa when it was on. i know the trunk was closed during this time as well.

behind the cruise lever i have what appears to be a plug. it looks like there may have been something installed there at one point or a factory option was not installed. it's about the size of a quarter. ideas?

so the windshield washers squirt via the wiper arm? i will have to go and play with it some more. i thought that but could not get them to work.

[SCWDP911]

just a factory plug I believe

[javadog]

Originally Posted by nineball

i am 99% certain the noise was not coming from the targa top. like i said, it sounded EXACTLY like the defrost fan when it is on high, only it was not on. i can't say for certain that the sound went away with the top off as everything was louder but there was no air to be felt anywhere along the front of the targa when it was on. i know the trunk was closed during this time as well.

The tops on these cars are pretty noisy, unless they have been rebuilt and adjusted properly. They can make quite a bit of racket, even thogh you won't feel an air leak. To check this, run some masking tape over the gap between the top and the windshield frame, then go for a drive. If it's (somewhat) quiet....you have your answer.

There can also be a wind leak in the cowl area where the air intake is; block this with tape and try a drive.

JR

[javadog]

Originally Posted by nineball

so the windshield washers squirt via the wiper arm? i will have to go and play with it some more. i thought that but could not get them to work.

Sit in the garage with the key on and engine off for a few seconds. Pull the wiper lever towards you. If you hear a pump run, you're either out of fluid, or the sytem's check valves aren't any good, or you have a disconnected hose or a blockage. If the pump doesn't run, it's likely seized.

The fluid reservoir holds a couple gallons and is filled via the plastic pipe in front of the gas cap.

JR

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by Shane Van Wey

just a factory plug I believe

Mine has the alarm keypad over the plug

also the wiper fluid on my SC is activated by a toggle switch per the dash layout I posted.

Did it change for 83?

[nineball]

i guess they did. mine is activated by pulling the wiper arm towards you. i guess it just had not been used for a while because it is working. before i just pulled is for a second a few times but it must have not been long enough to get the fluid through the tubes.

the targa top was rebuilt and recovered about a year ago. i will try the tape thing next week. just got home with the new toy but i have to leave to help a friend move out of state tomorrow morning.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

Mine has the alarm keypad over the plug

also the wiper fluid on my SC is activated by a toggle switch per the dash layout I posted.

Did it change for 83?

No. The main windshield washer system is activated by the wiper stalk. An optional intensive washer system is operated by a dash rocker switch. Either your car has been fitted with the intensive washer system or somebody has changed a few things on your car.

JR

[GothingNC]

Originally Posted by javadog

No. The main windshield washer system is activated by the wiper stalk. An optional intensive washer system is operated by a dash rocker switch. Either your car has been fitted with the intensive washer system or somebody has changed a few things on your car.

JR

OK, i was confused.
The switch is for the headlight washers.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

OK, i was confused.
The switch is for the headlight washers.

That is a third system; a different switch from the intensive washer system.

I was thinking that the intensive washer system came along a little later in the program....

JR

[Mike Thomas]

Originally Posted by nineball

...

the driver's lock only works via the key. try as i might i cannot get the round knob inside to spin nor does it move when i lock it with the key. again, once i get the panels off i will know more but looking for any insight on this as well.

...

fwiw i averaged just over 23mpg for the trip with about 90% driving at 65-75mph.

Firstly, congrats!

The inability to lock the driver's side door when the door is open is a design feature to keep you from locking the keys in the car. I'll bet if you have the door closed you can rotate the knob.

I am envious of your mpg. I've never gotten over 22mpg and I get 14-16 in town.

[nineball]

i am sure that my mpg will go down dramatically now that i am home. the 23 was optimum conditions (cruising in 5th with virtually no change in throttle) while at home i will be doing more stop, start and redlining...

i will try the lock with the door closed. hopefully it was just operator error.


GothingNC, the switch/plug i am talking about is directly behind the #22 line/stalk in the pic above, to the left of the heater controls on the same panel. the headlight washers are #23.


while i have everyone's attention what magical combination of positions do i have to end up at to have air coming out of the dash vents? i slid everything around a bit but could only get defrost or footwells.


i gotta sell my other car now. i just found a local listing for a 71 911T w/ 46k that has been stored the last 20 years in a garage...

[javadog]

There is nothing that goes in what looks like a plug to the right side of the steering wheel on your car. Just ignore it.

The center dash vents on a US car are for the A/C system. The controls for that are in the center console. The dash controls are only for fresh air and heated air. On cars without A/C, or Euro cars, fresh air can be made to come out of the center dash vents. This requires slightly different parts in the trunk.

JR

[dailyATX82sc]

Originally Posted by nineball

thanks for the responses and the diagram gothingNC.

already have the bently manual, 101 projects and a few other books. can't wait to dive into the bowels of every system. first job (in a few weeks after the "newness" wears off) will be the tensioner update and blow off valve.

i am 99% certain the noise was not coming from the targa top. like i said, it sounded EXACTLY like the defrost fan when it is on high, only it was not on. i can't say for certain that the sound went away with the top off as everything was louder but there was no air to be felt anywhere along the front of the targa when it was on. i know the trunk was closed during this time as well.

behind the cruise lever i have what appears to be a plug. it looks like there may have been something installed there at one point or a factory option was not installed. it's about the size of a quarter. ideas?

so the windshield washers squirt via the wiper arm? i will have to go and play with it some more. i thought that but could not get them to work.

BLOW OFF VALVE??? is she turbo??

[Mysterytrain]

Power windows...What I have found is that if the power window regulator is the old style [parallel arm], then it will not disappear into the door. There will be about an inch reveal on the leading edge. If the arm was replaced with the newer style [cross arm] then it will go all the way down.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by dailyATX82sc

BLOW OFF VALVE??? is she turbo??

No, he meant the pop-off valve for the airbox.

JR

[nineball]

exactly.