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The wipers on my 68 won't come on. The door won't open either using the dash control or the override under the dash. When I first tried the override I could see the door barely move but not much and it stopped. Now the red "Wiper Override" light is on. Any trouble shooting tips appreciated. Rich
I attached the link to my question and investigation below.
Meanwhile, just to ensure that the wiper motor was ok, I disconnected the wiper door vacuum hoses (and capped them), opened the door manually, and then ran the wipers. I was glad to see that they work fine and I could quit worrying about the wiper motor.
I then hooked everything back up and checked my override *****. The headlights work just fine. The wiper door does NOT.
I will try to get out there again presently, but for now I'm at least a little happy that wiper motor seems to work just fine.
Rich
I have found that the vacuum relay in the right fender well caused most problems.Also the rubber seal on the wiper canister goes bad.to test the wiper canister take the vacuum hose that goes to the backside and hook that hose directly to engine vacuum with engine running and see if door opens
Wes
I've seen rebuild kits for headlight actuators - actually rebuilt one of mine. Do they make that for the wiper door actuator?
Originally Posted by 530planeman
Rich
I have found that the vacuum relay in the right fender well caused most problems.Also the rubber seal on the wiper canister goes bad.to test the wiper canister take the vacuum hose that goes to the backside and hook that hose directly to engine vacuum with engine running and see if door opens
Wes
Hi c,
There is a replacement rod seal that can easily installed.
If the problem is the seal on the internal plenum that too can be repaired by several folks that offer that service.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Rich,
Have you attempted to open the wiper door manually by removing the rubber plug in the front side of the actuator and pushing on the plenum?
The wiper door must be fully open and the wiper door limit switch must be depressed for the wiper motor to start.
It's mounted on the firewall to the right of the wiper motor.
I think that might be a good thing to verify.
Regards,
Alan
I will do the direct check to see if vacuum pulls the wiper door open. If not, then I can start searching for this "replacement rod seal".
Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi c,
There is a replacement rod seal that can easily installed.
If the problem is the seal on the internal plenum that too can be repaired by several folks that offer that service.
Regards,
Alan
Hi c,
The usual vendors have them… for instance: Corvette Central #WW-207 for the seal for the 'pie-pan' shaped actuator,
not sure about the 'coffee can' style.
Regards,
Alan
I have been searching for someone that makes a rod seal for the "coffee can" actuators, but I haven't found one yet that actually works.
One of the things on my "research & remake" list is this seal. I have a couple of one-off's I have been playing around with. So far they look promising. Now I just need to find the time.....
Hi Rich,
Have you attempted to open the wiper door manually by removing the rubber plug in the front side of the actuator and pushing on the plenum?
The wiper door must be fully open and the wiper door limit switch must be depressed for the wiper motor to start.
It's mounted on the firewall to the right of the wiper motor.
I think that might be a good thing to verify.
Regards,
Alan
Alan,
I don't have a rubber plug on my car but I did push on that button and the wiper door opened but not all the way. The wipers still won't come on and the "Wiper override " light stays on even with the motor off and key removed.
Rich
I have found that the vacuum relay in the right fender well caused most problems.Also the rubber seal on the wiper canister goes bad.to test the wiper canister take the vacuum hose that goes to the backside and hook that hose directly to engine vacuum with engine running and see if door opens
Wes
Wes,
I removed that hose that runs from the rear of the wiper canister to the vacuum relay from the relay and before hooking it to a vacuum source noticed that it has a vacuum on it , does this mean the vacuum relay is bad? My wiper override light stays on with motor off and key removed.
Rich
Hi Rich,
The 'coffee can' must have the rubber plug in it's end for the actuator to function properly. (I believe it can open the door but not close it with the plug missing.
When the wiper door opens fully the 'plunger' on the door linkage at the safety switch should depress the button switch and send power to the wiper motor.
Is that happening when you manually open the door?
Regards,
Alan
This is the later style actuator but has the plug I was referring to.
Hi Rich,
The 'coffee can' must have the rubber plug in it's end for the actuator to function properly. (I believe it can open the door but not close it with the plug missing.
When the wiper door opens fully the 'plunger' on the door linkage at the safety switch should depress the button switch and send power to the wiper motor.
Is that happening when you manually open the door?
Regards,
Alan
This is the later style actuator but has the plug I was referring to.
No it isn't, my door is not opening all the way and the linkage on the safty switch is no where near depressing the button.
Hi 62,
It certainly appears the door isn't opened nearly all the way and from the picture it appears the plunger hasn't hit the button.
Have you used your hands to try to open the door further?
The front edge of the door should be near the front edge of the wiper bay grill when fully open.
If you can't, something is stopping it.
Regards,
Alan
Note the door doesn't raise high…. it just raises enough to move forward over the grill. It goes considerably further forward than this.
Hi 62,
It certainly appears the door isn't opened nearly all the way and from the picture it appears the plunger hasn't hit the button.
Have you used your hands to try to open the door further?
The front edge of the door should be near the front edge of the wiper bay grill when fully open.
If you can't, something is stopping it.
Regards,
Alan
Note the door doesn't raise high…. it just raises enough to move forward over the grill. It goes considerably further forward than this.
Alan,
Minor success, I did as you suggested and gently pulled the door out and it opened all the way. Then I turned off the wiper override **** and the light went out, finally I hit the switch and the wiper motor operates in both speeds. So it seems my problem lies somewhere in the door open/close mechanism . Isolated to that problem I'm open to any trouble shooting hints for the door assembly. Rich
My Great Karnak long distance diagnosis tells me that your actuator has a big leak in the BACK side port. If your door will open only partway, there is a reason. Put a vacuum pump on it (under the large dust boot) and check if it will hold vacuum.
Rich
The center hose on the relay down in the fender should have vacuum when car is running .turn wipers off in the down position and pull the hose off the center of the relay and with engine running pull both hoses off the canister that opens the door.use the hose you took off the relay to open and close the door by moving vacuum source from front to rear of the canister.
Wes
Rich
The center hose on the relay down in the fender should have vacuum when car is running .turn wipers off in the down position and pull the hose off the center of the relay and with engine running pull both hoses off the canister that opens the door.use the hose you took off the relay to open and close the door by moving vacuum source from front to rear of the canister.
Wes
Rich
The center hose on the relay down in the fender should have vacuum when car is running .turn wipers off in the down position and pull the hose off the center of the relay and with engine running pull both hoses off the canister that opens the door.use the hose you took off the relay to open and close the door by moving vacuum source from front to rear of the canister.
Wes
OK, I tried the hose with vacuum on both the front and rear ports of the canister and the door didn't move. With the vacuum on the rear port I felt vacuum on the front port of the canister. Does this indicate a leaking canister? Rich
1968 Wiper problem
