Wipers working partially
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Wipers working partially
It's a '74. The wipers will move and go through the proper rotation if I push and hold the switch down for 1-2 seconds. The wipers won't continue to work though, I have to press and hold the switch each time I want the wipers to move.
Is the switch bad or is it the pulse thing?
I need to get the vette inspected and somehow I don't think they are going to pass me with improper working wipers.
Is the switch bad or is it the pulse thing?
I need to get the vette inspected and somehow I don't think they are going to pass me with improper working wipers.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I took it apart and looked at it. I cleaned the connections and checked for power and the ground. It was good on everything. Shocked myself twice, so I think one of the wires may be shorting out somewhere behind the dash.
After I cleaned the connections, I still had the same results as above.
I was looking at it and figured I would try something. I put the connection clip in backwards and tried it. The fast speed works like it should, but the other speeds don't.
I have to push the button for the wipers to move, but isn't the button suppose to operate the wiper fluid, not the wipers?
After I cleaned the connections, I still had the same results as above.
I was looking at it and figured I would try something. I put the connection clip in backwards and tried it. The fast speed works like it should, but the other speeds don't.
I have to push the button for the wipers to move, but isn't the button suppose to operate the wiper fluid, not the wipers?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,838
Likes: 13
From: Kingman AZ
Pushing down should operate the water. One click to the right is regular and 2 clicks is high. I'm guessing the switch is bad.
Last edited by rayluka; Jan 27, 2008 at 06:42 PM. Reason: double checked the switch functions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I used a wire to cross the ground and one of the connection points on the back of the plug and the wipers operated like they should. I crossed the ground over to the other connection and the wipers didn't move. I guess the other connection, the last one I checked, is for the washer fluid.
I'm going to order a new switch tomorrow morning. If that doesn't fix the problem, then I get take apart the dash and check the wiring.
Thanks for your help rayluka.
I'm going to order a new switch tomorrow morning. If that doesn't fix the problem, then I get take apart the dash and check the wiring.
Thanks for your help rayluka.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I just replaced the switch and I get worse results now. The high speed just moves the wipers about a 1/4 of an inch before they move back down and I still have to press the button to get the wipers to move. When the wipers are off the light bulb is out, with the wipers on, there is a faint glow and it lights up completely when the wipers are set to high.
What's going on with this thing? Are two hot wires crossed in the dash wiring or something?
Is this connection plugged in correctly or is it backwards?
What's going on with this thing? Are two hot wires crossed in the dash wiring or something?
Is this connection plugged in correctly or is it backwards?
Last edited by 74Blackfoot; Feb 1, 2008 at 02:33 PM. Reason: Adding Picture
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
One thing ,I would not turn the harness around and put it in backwards any more you could send power to ground and might short out a wire.The motor has a starting position and some times if the motor grabbed a gear the wipers act Wierd you have to get the gear to start where it use to before they didnt work sometimes you can Slightly grab the wiper while it returning back to the bottom of the windshield.Have you checked where the ground hooks to the frame .I would look at that.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I haven't physically checked it. I took a test light and stuck it on the middle connection and the pick up for the test light on to each of the other two connections. I know at least one of them lite the light, maybe both, I can't remember for sure.
I think it's a hot wire, due to the light bulb fading and turning on, while my lights were turned off.
I don't think I would be sending power down the ground, as the ground is in center of the three wires, so it remains in the center regardless of the connection being correct or backwards. I do understand the dangers of doing that under other conditions though.
I think it's a hot wire, due to the light bulb fading and turning on, while my lights were turned off.
I don't think I would be sending power down the ground, as the ground is in center of the three wires, so it remains in the center regardless of the connection being correct or backwards. I do understand the dangers of doing that under other conditions though.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 2
From: Circleville Ohio
Vader Vette
I didnt see the pic first I dont know why but now that i see it you could turn it anyway it would only change hi lo .If you say the bulb does not light all the way and seems dim that does sound like A ground try getting a ground from the gauge cluster which you know works.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
The light was coming on, just a dim glow, when the wipers are set on low. And a bright glow, like normal when the wipers are set to high. But my lights were not turned on. The light is off completely when the wipers are off also.
I checked through the aim, but I didn't see any pictures showing the wiring to the switch.
I checked through the aim, but I didn't see any pictures showing the wiring to the switch.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Wiper problem !
Notice the connector with the tab/ keyway sticking out.
now notice the tab/keyway on the switch,
They tried to position them so you can not plug the connector in backwards, albeit a poor atempt but, those keyways are supposed to be on oppiste ends. to stop you from plugging them incorrectly.
just thought I would point it out for the next guy !
69Vett
now notice the tab/keyway on the switch,
They tried to position them so you can not plug the connector in backwards, albeit a poor atempt but, those keyways are supposed to be on oppiste ends. to stop you from plugging them incorrectly.
just thought I would point it out for the next guy !
69Vett
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Thanks for the confirmation on that, I figured it was backwards. I tore into it a few months ago and hadn't used the wipers since then. I plugged it in backwards when I put everything back together.
I need to get into a habit of taking 'before' pictures.
I need to get into a habit of taking 'before' pictures.