[hamerDown]

I’d take it apart and see if I could get the cable IE the solid wire with a loop on the ends to move the blend door over to A/C. Just until I could get a replacement. That way I could drive it without roasting. The days I don’t need A/C I could just use Econ. Just looked Ecklers corvette and Topflight have them $180/160 respectively prices rounded up.

I believe what you're price quoting is the entire panel with fan, AC and Temp slider knobs.
I'm seeing the below AC switch alone for $35.99
Is Ecklers still relevant for Vette parts, I thought there was another bigger name place people were using?
1979-1982 Corvette Air Conditioning Compressor Switch

 

[hamerDown]

In years past I had to make a kit for an earlier C3 fit and work with 3d printed parts I designed. But today Vintage air makes a specific kit for your 1981.

Vintage Air » Blog Archive VINTAGE AIR RELEASES NEW SUREFIT CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR THE C3 CORVETTE - Vintage Air

These kits do not use engine vacuum. They do not have problems with where they direct airflow. They have small thin condensers that do not block airflow to the radiator.

Looks nice and all but since owing the car when it was new and my current age, and as little as I get to use it... all that is a lot more than I want to tackle. And especially for 'me' it's just too late in the game.
I'll replace what's broken (Corvette Paramedics in NJ) seems to think a center rivet that holds the top switch together has failed as that's what my symptom seems to point to.

 

[hamerDown]

There's a chance I might still have the assembly I removed from my 81. I'll check it out in the next few days...

Dang, so you even changed out the OE AC/heat panel controls???

 

[hamerDown]

Dang... that's something else!

 

[hamerDown]

HamerDown: I went through my last box of old parts and unfortunately no luck finding the HVAC control assembly. Sorry, I should have looked before I posted but I was pretty sure I still had it... I'm blaming old age!! However, I did a search for the AC Control Assembly and found there are quite a few sources. Zip Corvette sells a new reproduction (part # D-846) for about $140. I'm sure the other popular Corvette parts suppliers would have them too. Saw some on eBay for less than that. You might even be able to snag a NOS item, I didn't look too hard for that. Since they seem to be widely available, I probably wouldn't recommend a used one unless you could get it for cheap or know for sure that it works. Changing out the unit shouldn't be too difficult, just getting the console panel off is harder than changing the control unit!

I have a sequence for removing/replacing the console panel should you need it. If you have done that before then you will not need it. Otherwise, there are a couple of things to know to avoid breaking something. This would also be a good time to replace the console trim plate if you have ever considered it. Over the years the plastic stuff often gets some of the mounting tangs broken off or just gets a little tattered looking. I used the repro items from Zip and they seemed to be identical to the OEM. They have different P/N's for the options you may have like rear defogger or power mirrors, around $60. Same thing for the armrest.

Anyway, again I apologize for posting first and looking later. Keep us posted!

No worries and as usual I appreciate your efforts and grest info.
Many years ago (maybe 20 plus years) I had the entire gauge cluster out and had to resolder a break on one of the trasers for maybe one of the gauges, I forget it's been so long ago.
Can't recall I've ever had the AC/heater panel area off before so I'm not to sure just how to access all that. I just remember working back there from the removable carpeted side panels for some speaker wiring etc.
Been brutally hot here and no AC garage like 'some' are fortunate to have lol.
The car has been sitting but now the weather is giving me a little break and I'll did into it.
BTW... I see the switch offerings on eBay and wonder, is that the same made in China parts Ecklers etc is selling?
Thanks again, very much appreciated!

 

[hamerDown]

Need both switches and the clear lens.
Where to buy from, Corvette Paramedics or eBay or ?
(not sure if the clear lens is available. )

 

[hamerDown]

Well, installed the new made in Taiwan compressor/vacuum switch and the temperature switch that goes under it. And even the new clear lens was a poor fit.
So I try it out... cars running, I move the slider from 'OFF to MAX AC and it's putting air out the floor vents (wtf).
So then I move the slider all the way over to the right 'defrost' and then back to MAX AC and it seems to work.
MAX AC to AC position doesn't seem to do the ' recirculate' in MAX position like it use to.
And now an alternator issue I'll start a new thread for.
When it rains it pours.😖

 

[hamerDown]

Sorry to say, not having a favorable experience dealing with Corvette Paramedics in NJ.
The owner is expecting me to pay $18.00 for a plastic rivet taken out of his new faulty vacuum switch and use the part in my original vacuum switch.
His AC/Heater compressor switch doesn't really have any 'stops' when you slide it from left to right... difficult to judge where exactly the lever is suppose to be.
Too bad we have to deal with subpar poor quality replacement parts for our cars... not many other options out there.

 

[hamerDown]

Dammit, why can't the plastic rivets that hold these switched together be available 😖

 

[hamerDown]

I think their called button screws. Both the male and female look like a screw. The trick will be finding one the right diameter and length for your need. Have used them before a little blue lock tite and they hold quite well. What I’m really getting at is there has to be a fastener that will substitute for that plastic rivet. Don’t give up because you can’t get a direct replacement. Look around and find something that will work.

With some small machine screw and matching nuts I can sandwich the switch/s together... however... when the TWO switches (AC compressor and vacuum) are in their bracket locations under the center console they are actually stacked like two pancakes. With the machine screws and nuts I don't think I have the clearance needed, but I'll take out what's in the dash again to see if it'll work. (banging head against wall)
Hey, hope your knee replacement heals well and you're pain free and have great movement.
In my near future I see a knee and left hip needing work.

 

[hamerDown]

Just showing how I can put the two switches back together using machine screws and nuts.
However, not sure 'if' there is the needed clearance once they are stacked ontop of each other in the switch housing.
I will visit Home Depot as suggested in a prior reply.

 

[hamerDown]

Might check with autowiz. He has a 3D printer. Might be able to work something out for a fee. He’s an upstanding guy may even know of a repair that we don’t.

Message sent, thanks for the idea/s.

 

[hamerDown]

Hamerdown you might try a flathead stainless screw from RTL. They have them in small sizes. I have had success with something like this before, BUT, the countersink angle that has to be drilled in the plastic can cause cracking when tightening. Getting the correct countersink angle is important to prevent this. The most common countersink angle in US sizes is 82°, metric is 90°. There are many other angles but these are the most common. Do not use a drill bit to drill the countersink, it is the wrong angle and will cause the plastic to crack. The countersink bits are cheap and widely available. You have great tenacity, don't give up!

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Wood-type screws bottom left 'may' work however there is noting on the other-end to make sure the screw doesn't walk itself out. I'm sure the thread would 'bite' into the plastic however with the operational-rotation of the switches I would think it 'may' unscrew- itself. I should have something similar and will give it a try.
BTW... visited Home Depot and unfortunately nothing like a "button screw" available... I can picture what they look like but nothing on the shelves.
As always, thanks for the time and suggestions!

 

[hamerDown]

Damn I looked on the inter web and couldn’t find what I used. It was two piece screw one screwed into the other and they had very thin heads on them. I got them at lowes made out of aluminum. I’m down with my knee or I’d try to find if they still carried them. Keep plugging we’ll figure something out.

Thanks bud, I can visualize them too...you just keep that knee incheck.

 

[hamerDown]

View attachment 106232

View attachment 106232

Interesting, but like the original plastic push-rivet (even if that's what it would be called) it not only has to hold two things together but do so with some tension. And 'not' unscrew itself when moving the sliders from left to right.