Wiper Arm Vacuum Switch, Does This Look Right?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Thanks again fellas, for all of your help.
Back into the garage now, for another round...
Looking for the correct spade to connect that brown wire to, first.
Ben
Back into the garage now, for another round...
Looking for the correct spade to connect that brown wire to, first.
Ben
Last edited by Ben N; Aug 12, 2017 at 10:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Now that I'm going-over tha vac systems yet again, silly question...
One of the vac hose kits that I just got, came with a roll of black tape.
Are there any specific vac hoses that should be taped, or is that tape supposed to be used to bundle the hoses together???
You all are a GREAT help to many of us 'Vettesters".
Thanks Muchly,
Ben
One of the vac hose kits that I just got, came with a roll of black tape.
Are there any specific vac hoses that should be taped, or is that tape supposed to be used to bundle the hoses together???
You all are a GREAT help to many of us 'Vettesters".
Thanks Muchly,
Ben
Last edited by Ben N; Aug 12, 2017 at 12:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
How often does that vacuum canister/reservoir go bad???
I'm thinking, it's either that canister (because neither the wipers/wiper door or headlight doors are working), or I installed the Wiper Arm Vacuum Relay a little off. All I did was replace it, in the same place I was.
With the wipers down, that plunger on the wiper arm relay should be depressed too, no???
I'm thinking, it's either that canister (because neither the wipers/wiper door or headlight doors are working), or I installed the Wiper Arm Vacuum Relay a little off. All I did was replace it, in the same place I was.
With the wipers down, that plunger on the wiper arm relay should be depressed too, no???
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
How often does that vacuum canister/reservoir go bad???
I'm thinking, it's either that canister (because neither the wipers/wiper door or headlight doors are working), or I installed the Wiper Arm Vacuum Relay a little off. All I did was replace it, in the same place I was.
With the wipers down, that plunger on the wiper arm relay should be depressed too, no???
I'm thinking, it's either that canister (because neither the wipers/wiper door or headlight doors are working), or I installed the Wiper Arm Vacuum Relay a little off. All I did was replace it, in the same place I was.
With the wipers down, that plunger on the wiper arm relay should be depressed too, no???
To verify IF your vacuum storage tank is any good...I would use an electric vacuum pump and pull a vacuum on it with a gauge and verify if it holds good vacuum. Doing it by hand might be able to be done but it can possibly take too long due to the size of the reservoir tank.
http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...nk-repair.html
DUB
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 212
Likes: 29
From: State College Pennsylvania
Ben, I would certainly check that the vacuum canister holds vacuum, but you may be able to bypass the canister (temporarily for testing purposes) to see if the rest of the system works
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Unbolted the Wiper Arm Relay Plunger and moved it out of the way, just to see what would happen. Started the car & turned-on the wipers, nothing happened at all. Door & wipers are still in the down/closed/off position.
I checked the wiper switch, and it's good.
Re-checked all of the hoses & actuators & valves, and they're OK.
All fuses are good.
Bad ground on the wiper switch perhaps???
Bad wiper motor all of a sudden???
The wipers DID move previously, they were just out of sync with the wiper door.
The plot thickens...
I checked the wiper switch, and it's good.
Re-checked all of the hoses & actuators & valves, and they're OK.
All fuses are good.
Bad ground on the wiper switch perhaps???
Bad wiper motor all of a sudden???
The wipers DID move previously, they were just out of sync with the wiper door.
The plot thickens...
Last edited by Ben N; Aug 13, 2017 at 10:45 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 212
Likes: 29
From: State College Pennsylvania
Unbolted the Wiper Arm Relay Plunger and moved it out of the way, just to see what would happen. Started the car & turned-on the wipers, nothing happened at all. Door & wipers are still in the down/closed/off position.
I checked the wiper switch, and it's good.
Re-checked all of the hoses & actuators & valves, and they're OK.
All fuses are good.
Bad ground on the wiper switch perhaps???
Bad wiper motor all of a sudden???
The wipers DID move previously, they were just out of sync with the wiper door.
The plot thickens...
I checked the wiper switch, and it's good.
Re-checked all of the hoses & actuators & valves, and they're OK.
All fuses are good.
Bad ground on the wiper switch perhaps???
Bad wiper motor all of a sudden???
The wipers DID move previously, they were just out of sync with the wiper door.
The plot thickens...
But this would only keep the wipers from running and the door from opening with the wiper switch. The wiper door should still open when the override is pulled under the dash or when the wiper door safety switch (the valve that started this thread) is not pushed down.
It still sounds like there is an issue with the vacuum system somewhere else
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Using an electric vacuum pump will help a lot...but there still needs to be some form of reservoir...because the reservoir is what is used to allow the actuator pods to draw from and work.
I have the reservoir that GM used for the 1980-1982 Corvettes and it comes in handy...but you can make one up out of some schedule 40 PVC pipe and some fittings. BUT...also keep in mind that the volume of the tank you make out of the PVC has or be large enough if you are going to test your headlights. The 1980-1982 storage tank is as big as a #10 tin can.
'Ben N'
Have you bench tested your wiper motor and see if it works. Willcox has a great tutorial and procedure to follow to do this. I could type it out...but seeing how they have already done it... I would suggest checking it out. OR....you can PM me and I can get you my shop phone number and I would be more than glad to help you out when you are at your car and we can go through it and find the problem. My service to your is FREE. And ll it will cost you is a phone call and your time.
DUB
I have the reservoir that GM used for the 1980-1982 Corvettes and it comes in handy...but you can make one up out of some schedule 40 PVC pipe and some fittings. BUT...also keep in mind that the volume of the tank you make out of the PVC has or be large enough if you are going to test your headlights. The 1980-1982 storage tank is as big as a #10 tin can.
'Ben N'
Have you bench tested your wiper motor and see if it works. Willcox has a great tutorial and procedure to follow to do this. I could type it out...but seeing how they have already done it... I would suggest checking it out. OR....you can PM me and I can get you my shop phone number and I would be more than glad to help you out when you are at your car and we can go through it and find the problem. My service to your is FREE. And ll it will cost you is a phone call and your time.
DUB
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Thank you again D Williams and DUB, I really appreciate all of your help.
Yes, I actually watched that video on the wiper motor bench test last night.
I'll work on that as well.
I already ran a separate ground wire from the Wiper Switch just to be sure, as the bezel is cracked.
Ben
Yes, I actually watched that video on the wiper motor bench test last night.
I'll work on that as well.
I already ran a separate ground wire from the Wiper Switch just to be sure, as the bezel is cracked.
Ben
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 212
Likes: 29
From: State College Pennsylvania
Is the wiper relay clicking when you move the wiper switch off/on and the key on?
If so, the switch ground is ok.
Also, even if you fix the electrical issues, the wiper door won't come up until the vacuum issues are fixed. I would focus on that first, using the overrides to control the wiper door and headlights
If so, the switch ground is ok.
Also, even if you fix the electrical issues, the wiper door won't come up until the vacuum issues are fixed. I would focus on that first, using the overrides to control the wiper door and headlights
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 11,381
Likes: 2,112
From: Grapevine Tx
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
2016 C3 of the Year Finalist
What about backing up another step and get the headlights working first? Isolate the wiper system from the main vacuum system and get the lights working, then add the wiper system back in.
Just an idea.
Just an idea.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,381
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Three things:
1. Have the wipers and wiper door ever worked? If so what was done just prior to them not working?
2. Have you checked the vac check valve on the vac supply at the manifold? Just a thought.
3. You mentioned you made a ground wire to the wiper switch because your center console is cracked (very common problem). Did you happen to plug the wiper switch in backwards? It can be done even though the connector has a tang on it to prevent it.
1. Have the wipers and wiper door ever worked? If so what was done just prior to them not working?
2. Have you checked the vac check valve on the vac supply at the manifold? Just a thought.
3. You mentioned you made a ground wire to the wiper switch because your center console is cracked (very common problem). Did you happen to plug the wiper switch in backwards? It can be done even though the connector has a tang on it to prevent it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 24
From: Centereach NY
Thanks again for all of the valuable input, I sincerely appreciate it!
I'll be back at it tonight, provided I get home at a reasonable hour.
I've already MityVac checked and/or replaced both actuators, both actuator relays, wiper arm relay, override plungers, hoses where necessary, wiper switch (and I ran that ground wire yesterday, and the plug is installed correctly on the wiper switch), replaced check valve and filter at the manifold, fuses are all good.
Vac at the manifold seems very good, as it's sucking like a... Well, let's just say that it's sucking like there's no tomorrow. LOL...
I'm now leaning towards the canister and/or headlight switch (the lights go on and off, but doors are open).
I'm willing to bet that it's something stupid that I've somehow missed along the way.
Ben
I'll be back at it tonight, provided I get home at a reasonable hour.
I've already MityVac checked and/or replaced both actuators, both actuator relays, wiper arm relay, override plungers, hoses where necessary, wiper switch (and I ran that ground wire yesterday, and the plug is installed correctly on the wiper switch), replaced check valve and filter at the manifold, fuses are all good.
Vac at the manifold seems very good, as it's sucking like a... Well, let's just say that it's sucking like there's no tomorrow. LOL...
I'm now leaning towards the canister and/or headlight switch (the lights go on and off, but doors are open).
I'm willing to bet that it's something stupid that I've somehow missed along the way.
Ben
Last edited by Ben N; Aug 15, 2017 at 01:22 PM.