1970 Wiper Door Issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 222
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From: Raleigh NC
1970 Wiper Door Issues
Guys I have a 1970 and the wiper door will not move with the vaccuum nor will the wipers move themselves unless you push the switch in for the temporary wash cycle. The headlights work great - very fast. Trying to isolate the problem but most of my experience is with midyears.
Any help would be appreciated
Any help would be appreciated
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Vilonia Arkansas
Guys I have a 1970 and the wiper door will not move with the vaccuum nor will the wipers move themselves unless you push the switch in for the temporary wash cycle. The headlights work great - very fast. Trying to isolate the problem but most of my experience is with midyears.
Any help would be appreciated
Any help would be appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Opening and closing the wiper door is 100% vacuum. Does the door open and close with the override under the steering column? If yes, the problem is likely to be the wiper switch or the solenoid on the rear of the tach.
If no, the problem is likely to be the actuator or relay for the wiper door or the linkage/hinges might need a little lube. With the engine off, remove both vacuum hoses from the actuator; remove the rubber plug in the actuator, insert a dowel or something similar, and see if you can open/close the wiper door by hand.
If no, the problem is likely to be the actuator or relay for the wiper door or the linkage/hinges might need a little lube. With the engine off, remove both vacuum hoses from the actuator; remove the rubber plug in the actuator, insert a dowel or something similar, and see if you can open/close the wiper door by hand.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I'm a little confused by your statement. You say that the door will not open, but later you say the wipers work when you press the washer button???
There are 2 systems here. One is the vacuum operated wiper door, and the other is the electric wiper motor.
There is a contact that is made for the wiper motor when the wiper door is open. So, when the wiper door is not open fully, this connection is open and the wiper motor will not operate.
Start out as Mike has suggested, and pull down the manual override - does the door open? If so, the wiper door relat and actuator and hoses are OK. If it does not open, open the door manually as mentioned earlier and see if the wipers work then.
My guess is that the door does open when you pull the override. And even with the door open via the override, the wipers will not nork correctly. This would seem to indicate as Don has suggested, that you have a bad (or misconnected) wiper switch. I think that if you take the switch out you will find something wrong with the connector.
There are 2 systems here. One is the vacuum operated wiper door, and the other is the electric wiper motor.
There is a contact that is made for the wiper motor when the wiper door is open. So, when the wiper door is not open fully, this connection is open and the wiper motor will not operate.
Start out as Mike has suggested, and pull down the manual override - does the door open? If so, the wiper door relat and actuator and hoses are OK. If it does not open, open the door manually as mentioned earlier and see if the wipers work then.
My guess is that the door does open when you pull the override. And even with the door open via the override, the wipers will not nork correctly. This would seem to indicate as Don has suggested, that you have a bad (or misconnected) wiper switch. I think that if you take the switch out you will find something wrong with the connector.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
It is possible to install the electrical connector on the wiper switch upside down. I'm not certain of the type of symptoms that will cause, but it's worth a check, anyway. Your problem is likely to be with the wiper switch assembly...but the switch itself may not be bad--the connector could really be the problem....or even the wiring.
Also, if the wiper switch [12v.] 'signal' does not get to the wiper solenoid/switch (mounted to the backside of the tachometer) when the dash switch is activated, the door will not open.
So, the things to check are the integrity of the wiper switch, the proper hookup of the wiper switch, that 12v gets to the solenoid/switch [when wiper is activated], the wiring connecting the wiper switch to the solenoid/switch, and the proper function of the solenoid switch.
If you are going to do those check-outs yourself, it would be much easier (on you) to remove the driver's seat before you start.
Also, if the wiper switch [12v.] 'signal' does not get to the wiper solenoid/switch (mounted to the backside of the tachometer) when the dash switch is activated, the door will not open.
So, the things to check are the integrity of the wiper switch, the proper hookup of the wiper switch, that 12v gets to the solenoid/switch [when wiper is activated], the wiring connecting the wiper switch to the solenoid/switch, and the proper function of the solenoid switch.
If you are going to do those check-outs yourself, it would be much easier (on you) to remove the driver's seat before you start.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 222
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From: Raleigh NC
Thanks
Thanks for the input - I will give it a try tonight. In response to the confusion - I can manually lift the wiper door but it does not move on its on and separately even with the door opened by hand the motor only works in the spray mode not low or high. I took the car in trade so I have not pulled it apart to start tracing things down - so I appreciate the advice and will post back the results
