Wiper pain
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
Wiper pain
Any obvious reason why the wipers may work, but only sometimes? They seem to work at start-up and sometimes after the car has been running for a while, but neither is an all-the-time phenomenon. Everything seems to be hooked up right, vacuum seems fine in terms of the wiper door, headlights etc. I think the motor is good.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi c,
The wipers can be frustrating!
Does the door open every time you turn the wipers on?
If the door opens every time does the door mechanism open far enough to push the wiper limit switch 'button' each time? This completes the circuit to the wiper motor.
?
Regards,
Alan
The wipers can be frustrating!
Does the door open every time you turn the wipers on?
If the door opens every time does the door mechanism open far enough to push the wiper limit switch 'button' each time? This completes the circuit to the wiper motor.
?
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
Hi c,
The wipers can be frustrating!
Does the door open every time you turn the wipers on?
If the door opens every time does the door mechanism open far enough to push the wiper limit switch 'button' each time? This completes the circuit to the wiper motor.
?
Regards,
Alan
The wipers can be frustrating!
Does the door open every time you turn the wipers on?
If the door opens every time does the door mechanism open far enough to push the wiper limit switch 'button' each time? This completes the circuit to the wiper motor.
?
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
You are aware that the LARGE **** UNDER your steering column.....IN the center...between the TWO vacuum pull down switches....is the ELECTRICAL CUT-OFF SWITCH for your wiper motor????
DUB
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi c,
The limit switch is an odd one.
What you see as a button is actually (or was actually) a rubber 'boot' OVER the button to protect the switch from moisture.
Have you looked carefully at that boot's condition and assessed if in fact it's not preventing the button from staying pushed in while operating the wipers?
I didn't realize the boot was there until I was working on the switch during my last engine compartment go-round. I had taken the switch apart to plate the screws and then noticed the boot.
Could you have an intermittent ground at the wiper motor?
???
Regards,
Alan
The limit switch is an odd one.
What you see as a button is actually (or was actually) a rubber 'boot' OVER the button to protect the switch from moisture.
Have you looked carefully at that boot's condition and assessed if in fact it's not preventing the button from staying pushed in while operating the wipers?
I didn't realize the boot was there until I was working on the switch during my last engine compartment go-round. I had taken the switch apart to plate the screws and then noticed the boot.
Could you have an intermittent ground at the wiper motor?
???
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi DUB,
Could the wiper override switch be the cause an 'intermittent' problem as c seems to be having?
Also, wouldn't that switch generally cause the arms to stop somewhere in mid-sweep?
I've assumed that on occasion the wipers are staying parked when the wiper switch is slid to the on position some time after start-up.
???
Regards,
Alan
Could the wiper override switch be the cause an 'intermittent' problem as c seems to be having?
Also, wouldn't that switch generally cause the arms to stop somewhere in mid-sweep?
I've assumed that on occasion the wipers are staying parked when the wiper switch is slid to the on position some time after start-up.
???
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
I'm going to take a look but the boot seems to be in good condition actually. I basically never use the wipers, same for previous owner, but need them in case of an emergency.
Guess before I take the switch out I should try to see if I can bypass the switch and maybe get he motor to work directly. If not, this would probably point back to the switch in theory.
Guess before I take the switch out I should try to see if I can bypass the switch and maybe get he motor to work directly. If not, this would probably point back to the switch in theory.
Last edited by cicconjo; May 16, 2016 at 12:49 PM.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Sunrise FL
Good idea.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I had the exact same problem. Mine was the switch. You'll need the wiring diagram for the switch. In a 68 you cant just bypass it, not sure what year you're driving. I bought a new switch and it was bad out of the box. They are garbage. I found a used original and it works like a charm, everytime.
Bought it from George.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...un-merged.html
Bought it from George.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...un-merged.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
I had the exact same problem. Mine was the switch. You'll need the wiring diagram for the switch. In a 68 you cant just bypass it, not sure what year you're driving. I bought a new switch and it was bad out of the box. They are garbage. I found a used original and it works like a charm, everytime.
Bought it from George.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...un-merged.html
Bought it from George.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...un-merged.html
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
Any obvious reason why the wipers may work, but only sometimes? They seem to work at start-up and sometimes after the car has been running for a while, but neither is an all-the-time phenomenon. Everything seems to be hooked up right, vacuum seems fine in terms of the wiper door, headlights etc. I think the motor is good.
has some on line video which helped me a lot
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Hi DUB,
Could the wiper override switch be the cause an 'intermittent' problem as c seems to be having?
Also, wouldn't that switch generally cause the arms to stop somewhere in mid-sweep?
I've assumed that on occasion the wipers are staying parked when the wiper switch is slid to the on position some time after start-up.
???
Regards,
Alan
Could the wiper override switch be the cause an 'intermittent' problem as c seems to be having?
Also, wouldn't that switch generally cause the arms to stop somewhere in mid-sweep?
I've assumed that on occasion the wipers are staying parked when the wiper switch is slid to the on position some time after start-up.
???
Regards,
Alan
The switch under the steering column with the large **** that turns is the 12 volts going to the LIMIT SWITCH that is on the firewall. SO...either the switch is ON...or it is OFF...and thus....the switch UNDER the column does not cause for 'intermittents'. It can't....or might I write..I have NEVER had this switch have a intermittent issue where it supplies 12 volts and then no 12 volts.
If you can not find the help on Willcox's site....I DO know this system rather well...regardless if it the vacuum system or the electrical system...and YES...once you understand the theory behind it...it is quite SIMPLE.
cicconjo...knowing that you put a new motor in....AND I have seen this happen A LOT!...First thing I would do it take a volt meter and MAKE 100% SURE that the housing for your wiper motor is GROUNDED....because the GROUND WIRE for the wiper motor is the same wire for the blower motor and also the alarm system plunger tamper switch on the firewall..and it is attached to the starter area where it gets attached to the engine block down there.....AND MANY PEOPLE see that large eyelet and attach it to the terminal on the STARTER SOLENOID where your positive battery cable attaches to the solenoid.
DUB
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Dub,
I thought that you WERE suggesting it was possible for the override switch to cause an intermittent power problem from the wording in your post #4.
Thanks for the clarification.
Regards,
Alan
I thought that you WERE suggesting it was possible for the override switch to cause an intermittent power problem from the wording in your post #4.
Thanks for the clarification.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; May 16, 2016 at 06:48 PM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
When the motor fails the next time, test the red/white wire at the limit switch for power, test the yellow wire in the middle of the 123 connection for power, run a temporary jumper wire to the motor for ground and then verify the two grounds at the 123 connector are working.
I get the feeling the issue is maybe a corroded wire, or a bad ground.
Willcox
I get the feeling the issue is maybe a corroded wire, or a bad ground.
Willcox
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
Crazy turn of events. Working with my friend Stan (his shop is 2nd Generation Restorations in Walpole, MA), we literally broke out in laughter after noticing repeatedly that every time I sat in the car and turned the wipers on the wiper door would open but the wipers would not move, but every time he got into the car they worked fine. Finally we realized that they would only work when the driver side door was opened, ie. when the door switch was not depressed. After trying a bunch of things we realized that the PO had spliced the ground to the wiper motor to some other wire which ran down into no man's land. After we cut the wire and re-grounded the wiper motor everything worked perfect. Ultimately we're not sure where the ground was going, but that will be a job for another day, and all's well that ends well.
By the way, I always appreciate Stan's patience and persistence in getting things to work right. We just finished a zz454, tremac 5 speed, 3:70 rear conversion and I couldn't be any more pleased with the result. Always enjoyable to work with Stan and his crew, especially his mechanic Josh. Highly recommend.
By the way, I always appreciate Stan's patience and persistence in getting things to work right. We just finished a zz454, tremac 5 speed, 3:70 rear conversion and I couldn't be any more pleased with the result. Always enjoyable to work with Stan and his crew, especially his mechanic Josh. Highly recommend.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi C,
Great!
Stan's abilities/workmanship and his road-race replicas have received quite some notice on this Forum in the past!
When you see him again please say hello to him from me.
Regards,
Alan
Great!
Stan's abilities/workmanship and his road-race replicas have received quite some notice on this Forum in the past!
When you see him again please say hello to him from me.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; May 17, 2016 at 06:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: MA
Stan has some real nice builds going on right now. Worth stopping by to take a peek.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,400
Likes: 1,226
From: Tampa Florida
Override switch failed
Alan...and others.
The switch under the steering column with the large **** that turns is the 12 volts going to the LIMIT SWITCH that is on the firewall. SO...either the switch is ON...or it is OFF...and thus....the switch UNDER the column does not cause for 'intermittents'. It can't....or might I write..I have NEVER had this switch have a intermittent issue where it supplies 12 volts and then no 12 volts.
DUB
The switch under the steering column with the large **** that turns is the 12 volts going to the LIMIT SWITCH that is on the firewall. SO...either the switch is ON...or it is OFF...and thus....the switch UNDER the column does not cause for 'intermittents'. It can't....or might I write..I have NEVER had this switch have a intermittent issue where it supplies 12 volts and then no 12 volts.
DUB
I'm just posting my experience with the override switch to show that it is possible to have a problem or intermittent problem with the override switch.
I haven't turned my wipers on in decades and this morning I was going to replace the wiper blade inserts and the wipers would not operate. I knew going into this that it wasn't a Bubba situation/problem because everything was still like it was when it left the factory in 1971.
Using the forum to diagnose the problem, I discovered that there was no voltage at the wiper motor or at the wiper limit switch. I made sure the override switch was in the operate position. I checked the voltage at the override switch supply side and it was good, but the switch would not close to send voltage to the limit switch.
OK, so having a telephone switching/relay background, I removed the override switch and found that it had no continuity when the switch was turned to the operate position. I took the override switch apart and cleaned the contacts, sprayed it with some contact cleaner/lubricant, put it back together and it worked perfectly.
I re-installed the override switch and the wipers now operate correctly and the override switch disabled the wipers and I changed the inserts.
Regards,
Dave