SC Questions
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From: Philadelphia
SC Questions
I've purchased a 1981 SC and have a few questions.
First, the car has the European H4 headlights with the body color trim rings. No adjuster screws on the rings. Just one screw at the bottom of the trim ring and, after removal of the screw, can't get the ring off to get to the headlamp. Anyone know how to adjust these headlamps or get the trim ring off without damaging the surrounding bodywork?
Second, pull-switch for the rear window defroster can be pulled out, or rotated, and the little light in the switch goes on. Is there a diff between pulling the **** out or, instead of pulling it out, turning it clockwise?
Third, the antenna won't go up. Turn on the radio and the little light on the dial (station selector) goes on, so I know the radio is getting power. But nothing else happens. Is there a separate fuse for the antenna?
Thanks, in advance, for any assistance.
Richard
First, the car has the European H4 headlights with the body color trim rings. No adjuster screws on the rings. Just one screw at the bottom of the trim ring and, after removal of the screw, can't get the ring off to get to the headlamp. Anyone know how to adjust these headlamps or get the trim ring off without damaging the surrounding bodywork?
Second, pull-switch for the rear window defroster can be pulled out, or rotated, and the little light in the switch goes on. Is there a diff between pulling the **** out or, instead of pulling it out, turning it clockwise?
Third, the antenna won't go up. Turn on the radio and the little light on the dial (station selector) goes on, so I know the radio is getting power. But nothing else happens. Is there a separate fuse for the antenna?
Thanks, in advance, for any assistance.
Richard
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 348
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From: West Chester, Pa
Richard,
First - congratulations on your 'new' SC! These cars, comparatively raw & primitive to the newer P's, are a LOT of fun. You get a LOT of feedback from the road, and that clutch cable keeps your left leg in shape.
Can't help you with Q's 1 & 3, but will guess at # 2. I THINK turning the defroster button de-ices the mirrors; pulling it out de-ices the back window. And if you haven't yet figured out how to work the ventilation buttons, Ed Bighi posted an EXCELLENT explanation in here on 3-17.
First - congratulations on your 'new' SC! These cars, comparatively raw & primitive to the newer P's, are a LOT of fun. You get a LOT of feedback from the road, and that clutch cable keeps your left leg in shape.
Can't help you with Q's 1 & 3, but will guess at # 2. I THINK turning the defroster button de-ices the mirrors; pulling it out de-ices the back window. And if you haven't yet figured out how to work the ventilation buttons, Ed Bighi posted an EXCELLENT explanation in here on 3-17.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,291
Likes: 6
From: WI, US
Richard:
Sometimes, due to age, the seal around the headlight trim ring acts like glue and it's really hard to get that trim ring off. Gently prying with a plastic scraper or prying with your fingers near the bottom of the trim ring should loosen the seal between the ring and gasket.
At the top of the ring, there is a tab that attaches the ring to the bodywork, so be prepared for the ring to "hinge" a bit at the top until you can pull the ring away from the body.
Good Luck,
Jay
<a href="http://www.jays911.com" target="_blank">90 964</a>
Sometimes, due to age, the seal around the headlight trim ring acts like glue and it's really hard to get that trim ring off. Gently prying with a plastic scraper or prying with your fingers near the bottom of the trim ring should loosen the seal between the ring and gasket.
At the top of the ring, there is a tab that attaches the ring to the bodywork, so be prepared for the ring to "hinge" a bit at the top until you can pull the ring away from the body.
Good Luck,
Jay
<a href="http://www.jays911.com" target="_blank">90 964</a>
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7
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From: Newfoundland, Canada
Richard,
I think there is a lip on the top of the headlight bucket that the trim ring hooks into before rotating it down to the position that will allow the screw to hold it all in place. You may want to wait for a second opinion, but I think you undo the screw and give the ring a bit of a "nudge" upwards towards to top of the fender to unseat it from the lip that holds it.
Regards,
Gary
I think there is a lip on the top of the headlight bucket that the trim ring hooks into before rotating it down to the position that will allow the screw to hold it all in place. You may want to wait for a second opinion, but I think you undo the screw and give the ring a bit of a "nudge" upwards towards to top of the fender to unseat it from the lip that holds it.
Regards,
Gary
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From: Philadelphia
Hey, Guys,
Thanks for your responses and your good wishes. This is my second time around for an SC - had an '83 from about '87 to '89.
I think the car may need a starter. The prior owner told me about a problem with the ignition switch. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But I think its the starter and not the switch. Oh well. Still love the car.
Hey, john d, we should meet somewhere on West Chester Pike and then take a drive down Goshen Road!
Richard
Thanks for your responses and your good wishes. This is my second time around for an SC - had an '83 from about '87 to '89.
I think the car may need a starter. The prior owner told me about a problem with the ignition switch. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But I think its the starter and not the switch. Oh well. Still love the car.
Hey, john d, we should meet somewhere on West Chester Pike and then take a drive down Goshen Road!
Richard
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Long Island, NY
The two-stage rear defroster on my '81 SC defrosts the upper half of the window with the switch pulled out, and the whole rear window with the switch pulled out and rotated. It's described in the owner's manual.
Congratulations.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Congratulations.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 348
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From: West Chester, Pa
Richard,
That's a GREAT road to enjoy your car in...Just watch the ponies as you near Radnor Hunt! *G* Have you considered joining Riesentoter? Pretty active club, and good group of folks. Having a membership meeting tomorrow night at CJ's Tires in Limerick. If you want info, e-mail me. Best of luck sorting out the starter problem; I'm presently mucking my way through an alternator problem. Guess it's inevitable when the parts are 20+ years old, but at least there is stuff under the hood I can still recognize *G*.
That's a GREAT road to enjoy your car in...Just watch the ponies as you near Radnor Hunt! *G* Have you considered joining Riesentoter? Pretty active club, and good group of folks. Having a membership meeting tomorrow night at CJ's Tires in Limerick. If you want info, e-mail me. Best of luck sorting out the starter problem; I'm presently mucking my way through an alternator problem. Guess it's inevitable when the parts are 20+ years old, but at least there is stuff under the hood I can still recognize *G*.
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Joe Kucinski
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From: Ca
I have a 81' and the antenna won't go down. LOL. Try checking under the dash to see if the power wire from the antenna is hooked up. Or, try some wd-40 and try to pull it up. If all else fails. Buy an antenna off ebay for $40.
Troy
Troy
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From: Philadelphia
Thanks for your suggestions. I am an active member of Reisentoter - have been for more than five years! Was at last month's mtg at Holbert's.
Todd, I'll have to check that out next time there is some frost or condensation on the rear window.
Turns out my starter isn't bad. The spring mechanism in the ignition switch was getting hung up. A little lock lubricant freed it up and, PRESTO. It works. At least for now!
John d is right. At 20+ years, things are gonna happen.
Love the car.
Todd, I'll have to check that out next time there is some frost or condensation on the rear window.
Turns out my starter isn't bad. The spring mechanism in the ignition switch was getting hung up. A little lock lubricant freed it up and, PRESTO. It works. At least for now!
John d is right. At 20+ years, things are gonna happen.
Love the car.
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Joined: May 2002
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I had the same antenna problem on my 82SC. The shop diagnosed it as a bad antenna motor, but was actually a $.05 inline fuse under the dash. The fuse was located to the right of the ignition switch, under the dash. guessing it feeds (+) when the igintion is turned on. Looks for a red wire with an inline fuse.
