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Wiper Arm Vacuum Switch, Does This Look Right?

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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 05:07 PM
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Default Wiper Arm Vacuum Switch, Does This Look Right?

Hi All,
I hope everyone is doing well...

I'm still trying to figure-out why the wiper door keeps closing on the wipers while they're in mid stream.

I just changed the Override Plungers and the Override Switch, under the dash by the steering column.

I also just got (2) of these USA Made Wiper Arm Vacuum Switches (originally from Willcox. And THANKS AGAIN TOMMY!), and I got the boots from a different source Doc (one switch is a backup, along with 3 extra boots. LOL...).

Now, should the Red & White vacuum hoses be connected to the Washer Pump (well, at least that's what I THINK it is, the pump).

All the diagrams I see, do NOT show the hoses going to this block on the wiper motor.
They show White hose going to the top of the Actuator Relay, and the Red hose going to the Bottom Port of the under-dash Override plunger/switch.

Here's a few pics of what I see:

Thanks Again For All Of Your Help, I Sincerely Appreciate It!

Ben
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Last edited by Ben N; Jul 16, 2017 at 05:10 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 05:24 PM
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Hi Ben,
Is the lever on the wiper transmission hitting the plunger first or is the wiper arm?
Is the wiper arm 'keyed' on the transmission properly?
The hoses from the safety switch don't attach at the washer pump.
The small white hose travels to and connects to the top pipe on the wiper door relay
The small red hose travels and connects to the vacuum supply coming across the firewall.
Regards,
Alan





71 hose routing with the wiper door relay mounted on the fender apron.

Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 16, 2017 at 05:47 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 05:31 PM
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All the diagrams I see, do NOT show the hoses going to this block on the wiper motor.
They show White hose going to the top of the Actuator Relay, and the Red hose going to the Bottom Port of the under-dash Override plunger/switch.
This is the correct installation. The washer pump has nothing to do with the vacuum operation of the wiper door.
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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 05:50 PM
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Ahhhhh, that's what I thought. Bubba struck again!

Thanks Again gentlemen!!!

Here's a couple more pics...
The plunger is actually not touching the actual wiper arm, it's coming in contact with that "lever" which is somehow connected to the underside of the actual wiper arm, yet the "lever' is about 1/4" lower than the wiper arm.
In the pic, we can also see the washer hose in the mix as well.

SO... I guess I'll now disconnect the White & Red striped hoses from the pump, and re-rout them according to the diagrams.

What actually is SUPPOSED to get connected the that pump?
Does anyone have a pic/diagram of a '69 configuration???


Thanks Again Fellas!
Ben
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Last edited by Ben N; Jul 16, 2017 at 06:01 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 06:15 PM
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The CENTER port is the SUPPLY HOSE coming from your windshield washer bag or bottle.

AS I was told...which has something to do with the balance of pressure in the system when used.......use the two rear ports (top and bottom) go to your wiper arms.

The front two ports (top and bottom) go to your headlight washers.

DUB
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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 06:24 PM
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Hi Ben,
Here's a couple of photos of a 69 wiper motor and washer pump.
Your's doesn't appear to be a 69 set up….. maybe a late car?
Regards,
Alan





And the safety switch/relay hoses.

Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 16, 2017 at 06:26 PM.
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Old Jul 16, 2017 | 06:31 PM
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Thanks DUB & Alan.

Yes, I believe mine is a "Late '69". So I'm guessing it's somewhat different from an early model?

Man, it looks like "Bubba" just connected things where ever he felt like.
Gotta just love "Bubba" though. He sure keeps US hoppin'! LOL...


Gonna order a bunch more goodies from Willcox today.

Ben

Last edited by Ben N; Jul 16, 2017 at 06:32 PM.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 04:13 PM
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Hi Again Everyone,
Well, I'm STILL trying to get the wipers to work correctly.
I've installed the new USA made Wiper Arm Vacuum Switch (In the same place it is in my photo above), ran new vacuum hoses to and from it, and to the correct positions according to the diagram that came with the new hose kit.

NOW, the wipers still won't work. They move about an inch or so, then retract.
I've also replaced the Override Plungers AND Override Switch under the dash/steering column.

Does anyone here happen to have a photo or two of the EXACT placement of the Wiper Arm Vacuum Switch on a LATE Model '69 Convertible???

Not sure if a convertible is different or not though, but I DO believe a Late Model '69 is different from an Early Model.
I believe I have a LATE Model '69.

I think a few pics will REALLY go a long way in solving my issues with this ride.

Thanks Again,
Ben
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 05:09 PM
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Hi Ben,
I don't think you can use a photo to set the position of the vacuum switch…there are too many variables.
I think you need to install the switch and then cycle the wiper arms and adjust the switch so the lever depresses the plunger.
You can then use your vacuum pump and gauge to test the ports on the switch with the lever allowing the plunger to be 'out' and then pushed 'in' to see if the switch is sending the signal to the relay at the proper time… not too early or too late.
Does that make sense?
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 23, 2017 at 05:32 PM.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 05:16 PM
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Hi Alan,
Thanks again for such a QUICK reply.

I'm not certain, but I think that "Lever" might not be installed correctly, as it is directly underneath and INLINE with the the wiper arm. It sits maybe 1/4" below the actual wiper arm.

I always thought that the "lever" is supposed to be offset (NOT in line with the actual wiper arm). But I might be wrong.

Your thoughts???

Thx,
Ben

Last edited by Ben N; Jul 23, 2017 at 05:17 PM.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 05:22 PM
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Do not over complicate things...the plunger switch below the right wiper arm gets adjusted so the two hoses that are a apart of the vacuum supply to the actuator relay MUST----REPEAT---MUST flow vacuum to the actuator relay WHEN the wiper arm is DOWN.

This will make it so the wiper door can open and thus make contact with the micro switch that is also mounted on the firewall.

Have you attempted to bench test the wiper motor??? And actually you do not have to remove it to do a 'bench test'.

IS the vacuum operation of the wiper door working correctly...but NOW it has to do with getting the motor to run???

DUB
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 05:28 PM
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Thanks DUB.
I haven't bench tested the actual wiper MOTOR yet.
I HAVE vac tested the valves, actuators, and checked continuity on the wiper switch though.

I'm just wondering how that lever is supposed to be connected/positioned with respect to the wiper arm.
As I said, mine is in direct line with the wiper arm, and sits about 1/4" below it.

I just fired-up the car, and oddly enough nothing is working now.
Wiper door is stuck in the down position.

Headlights are stuck in the up position.

Last edited by Ben N; Jul 23, 2017 at 05:40 PM.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Ben N
Thanks DUB.
I haven't bench tested the actual wiper MOTOR yet.
I HAVE vac tested the valves, actuators, and checked continuity on the wiper switch though.

I'm just wondering how that lever is supposed to be connected/positioned with respect to the wiper arm.
As I said, mine is in direct line with the wiper arm, and sits about 1/4" below it.
I do not know what you are calling the 'lever'???? There is no lever to my recollection.

IF you are talking about how the vacuum plunger switch is mounted to the bracket ..and adjusted so when the right wiper arm makes contact with it when it is DOWN...that is all I know.

Please describe this 'lever' you are referring to to me.

DUB
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 05:43 PM
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When I say lever, I mean there's a piece of metal that makes contact with the plunger.
THAT'S the part that's connected to the actual wiper arm (shown in my pics above) It's hard to see though, but it's there.

In Alan's pic, the setup it totally different from what I'm seeing on mine, then again they're different year cars.

Last edited by Ben N; Jul 23, 2017 at 05:45 PM.
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Old Jul 23, 2017 | 06:13 PM
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Ben..check you PM's

I understand now what oyu meant.

You are aware that the two slid on clips that are slid on the bracket that the plunger switch attaches to so it can slide....just in case you feel that they are in a fixed position....they are not.

What you have IS CORRECT from what I can see in your photos.

DUB
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Old Aug 10, 2017 | 02:55 PM
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Hi All,
I'm still farting around with the wiper/wiper door/headlights, trying to get everything ironed out, on my '69 Non-A/C 'Vert...

Does anyone know what this connector with the brown wire (I guess it's brown) goes to???
At this point, it goes into that taped "Bubba-Bundle-O'-Wires".

Getting no movement at all on the wipers or wiper door.
Headlights are still in the "up" position.
All hoses are correctly routed now.
All fuses are good.


Thanks Again,
Ben
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Last edited by Ben N; Aug 10, 2017 at 06:19 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2017 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Ben N
Does anyone know what this connector with the brown wire (I guess it's brown) goes to???
At this point, it goes into that taped "Bubba-Bundle-O'-Wires".
On the wiring diagram for my '70, there is a brown wire going to the radio capacitor. Maybe it's the same for your car?

Originally Posted by Ben N
Wiper door is stuck in the down position.

Headlights are stuck in the up position.
Let's try to fix the vacuum issue using this vacuum diagram before tackling the electric problem.



First, make sure that there is vacuum at the yellow hose going to the two (headlight and wiper door) relays. This should always be present when the car is running.

Next, check the vacuum at the black hoses going to the two relays. For the wiper door should be no vacuum when the wiper switch/override/wiper arm switch are on/open, and there should be vacuum when ALL of those are off/pushed in.

For the headlights, there should be vacuum at the black hose to the relay when both the headlamp switch and override are pushed in, and no vacuum when one (or both) are pulled out.

Let me know what part is not working properly to narrow down where the issue is located.
The next step will be to follow the vacuum hoses to find the disconnect and/or testing individual parts to make sure they work

Last edited by D_Williams; Aug 11, 2017 at 05:42 PM.
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Old Aug 11, 2017 | 05:28 PM
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For the headlights, there should be no vacuum at the black hose to the relay when both the headlamp switch and override are pushed in, and vacuum when one (or both) are pulled out.
Are you sure about that?
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Old Aug 11, 2017 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Dave J
Are you sure about that?

My mistake, thanks for the correction!
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Old Aug 11, 2017 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Ben N
Getting no movement at all on the wipers or wiper door.
Headlights are still in the "up" position.
All hoses are correctly routed now.
All fuses are good.


Thanks Again,
Ben
Ben...knowing that your question about the BROWN wire as answered..

what I quoted out of your last post CANNOT be correct...Because IF the vacuum hoses are correct...and all seals in the actuators and relays are correct..and you have the vacuum switch by your right wiper arm adjusted correctly...and your vacuum storage tank WILL hold vacuum...the system should work. AND if it is not...then something is either bad or leaking vacuum.

DUB
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