69 wiper actuator - help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
This is what is frustrating about being a new guy and not knowing my way around the car. Have the car at who I have been told my multiple people is one of the best vette guys in South Fla, and he is telling me that it is leaking and not repairable.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
When I shut the car off sometimes the wiper door would lift. I find that the vette mechanics down here have pretty bad attitudes so best not to ask too many questions until you get your car back otherwise it costs more and they will keep it for longer. My sense of the guy is that what I heard about him is right and that he knows what he is doing so am going to assume that he is right. He did say that the chinese junk that he sees leak a lot so he wanted to put a later year actuator on and I told him that since the car is original, if I have to replace it I at least want it to look the same as the original. Now I am in the position of hoping that the replacement which he warned are chinese and junk doesn't leak.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,227
Likes: 4,321
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi VF69,
From the problem you described I have to agree with Roger that this may be a relay malfunction.
Remember, the the actuators only drive the wiper door or headlight doos open or closed.
Problems that occur when the car is started or shut off OFTEN are relay problems.
Regards,
Alan
From the problem you described I have to agree with Roger that this may be a relay malfunction.
Remember, the the actuators only drive the wiper door or headlight doos open or closed.
Problems that occur when the car is started or shut off OFTEN are relay problems.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Hi VF69,
From the problem you described I have to agree with Roger that this may be a relay malfunction.
Remember, the the actuators only drive the wiper door or headlight doos open or closed.
Problems that occur when the car is started or shut off OFTEN are relay problems.
Regards,
Alan
From the problem you described I have to agree with Roger that this may be a relay malfunction.
Remember, the the actuators only drive the wiper door or headlight doos open or closed.
Problems that occur when the car is started or shut off OFTEN are relay problems.
Regards,
Alan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
If it's the actuator, I'd think it may be a seal. I'm not familiar with the 68/early 69 can so I can't say from any personal experience if the seals are the same as the later years.
I think a ruptured diaphram would likely cause problems going up or down, don't know why it would only cause a problem when the motor is shut off.
For the wiper door to lift, there must be some residual vacuum getting to the backside of the actuator after the car is turned off. Sounds like it may be a vacuum relay or maybe another leak somewhere.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
The reference to changing to the newer type suggests this is indeed the actuator. I believe the vacuum relays are the same for 69 or later.
If it's the actuator, I'd think it may be a seal. I'm not familiar with the 68/early 69 can so I can't say from any personal experience if the seals are the same as the later years.
I think a ruptured diaphram would likely cause problems going up or down, don't know why it would only cause a problem when the motor is shut off.
For the wiper door to lift, there must be some residual vacuum getting to the backside of the actuator after the car is turned off. Sounds like it may be a vacuum relay or maybe another leak somewhere.
If it's the actuator, I'd think it may be a seal. I'm not familiar with the 68/early 69 can so I can't say from any personal experience if the seals are the same as the later years.
I think a ruptured diaphram would likely cause problems going up or down, don't know why it would only cause a problem when the motor is shut off.
For the wiper door to lift, there must be some residual vacuum getting to the backside of the actuator after the car is turned off. Sounds like it may be a vacuum relay or maybe another leak somewhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
When I shut the car off sometimes the wiper door would lift. I find that the vette mechanics down here have pretty bad attitudes so best not to ask too many questions until you get your car back otherwise it costs more and they will keep it for longer. My sense of the guy is that what I heard about him is right and that he knows what he is doing so am going to assume that he is right. He did say that the chinese junk that he sees leak a lot so he wanted to put a later year actuator on and I told him that since the car is original, if I have to replace it I at least want it to look the same as the original. Now I am in the position of hoping that the replacement which he warned are chinese and junk doesn't leak.
Cheap and easy to check.
Pull it out and blow/suck through it both directions. It should only pass air one way.
---------
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 20
From: NC
I replaced mine in my 69. Heads up, there are two different types for that year
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-break-it.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-break-it.html
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
I replaced mine in my 69. Heads up, there are two different types for that year
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-break-it.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-break-it.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
..... I find that the vette mechanics down here have pretty bad attitudes so best not to ask too many questions until you get your car back otherwise it costs more and they will keep it for longer. My sense of the guy is that what I heard about him is right and that he knows what he is doing so am going to assume that he is right. ..........
Why would they have bad attitudes if they are "right" about everything?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Bad check valve will often exhibit this behavior.
Cheap and easy to check.
Pull it out and blow/suck through it both directions. It should only pass air one way.
Cheap and easy to check.
Pull it out and blow/suck through it both directions. It should only pass air one way.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Oct 5, 2011 at 09:24 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Don't understand the question - are you implying that you can't have a bad attitude and be a good mechanic?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
Last edited by builder; Oct 5, 2011 at 12:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
My mechanic that I have been using for 10+ years down here for my other cars is what you are referring to and I wish that he had the old vette knowledge. My experience with the 4 vette mechanics down here that I have used so far is that they have a line of cars waiting to come in (many of them sitting at their shop collecting dust literally) and don't really want to be bothered with questions. 3 of them did don't know as much as many of the people on this forum. At this point I would like a mechanic who at least knows what they are doing and I will be satisfied - not happy, but satisfied. I agree though that a truly good mechanic should have morals and honesty and I think many do, just not any of the vette guys down here in South Fla
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
System Diagram
Here is the system diagram, showing all the parts and pieces. I am not sure what is different on the 69 forn the 70-72 diagram.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Thanks. What he said he is going to do is take the 80-82 vacuum reservoir and put that on the car which he said is mounted up front as opposed to on the driver side near the fender. Confused why he would do that.