Hidden windshield wipers . . . .WHY ! ? ! ? !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 809
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My DD was a 68 in upstate NY in early 70's. Don't remember ice being a problem. Concealed headlights and wiper doors look slick in my opinion but having spent many hours troubleshooting/fixing these systems not sure why they are vacuum. I like them better when they are working.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 838
From: New York
2017 C3 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '20- '21
Styling!!!!!! It creates beautiful uninterrupted lines!!! Of course mine works and I have a truck to drive in the snow so it easy for me to say how cool they are!!! Remember you are looking at 50 year old car designs!! You cannot justifiably compare them to current designs. Ike
Last edited by general ike; Jan 21, 2019 at 07:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 503
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
GM engineered both the headlights and the wiper panel to be able to break through three eights of an inch of ice. I had to drive my 68 coupe in Cleveland for four and a half years after a divorce, so I know they did that!
GM went to the vacuum system for the headlights after all of the trouble with the mid year (63-67) electric motors and gears. Lou.
GM went to the vacuum system for the headlights after all of the trouble with the mid year (63-67) electric motors and gears. Lou.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,167
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
reasons for the "hidden" wipers
- Lower drag - sounds stupid but today it counts (CAFE Standards)
- Less debris hitting the blades, keeps the blades out of the sun
- styling - blades look ugly
- back in the day was considered cool - advanced
- Lower drag - sounds stupid but today it counts (CAFE Standards)
- Less debris hitting the blades, keeps the blades out of the sun
- styling - blades look ugly
- back in the day was considered cool - advanced
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,167
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
With the engine running:
Turn the wipers on, take a thin long bladed screwdriver and push down on the "air switch" under the passenger side wiper arm - if it lifts the switch is out of adjustment.
If not apply vacuum to the canister - see if the door opens.. if it works next is the the air switch under the passenger fender. - keep going ….
Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 22, 2019 at 06:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 282
From: Bedford New York
it's really simple, use Wilcox diagram,
With the engine running:
Turn the wipers on, take a thin long bladed screwdriver and push down on the "air switch" under the passenger side wiper arm - if it lifts the switch is out of adjustment.
If not apply vacuum to the canister - see if the door opens.. if it works next is the the air switch under the passenger fender. - keep going ….
With the engine running:
Turn the wipers on, take a thin long bladed screwdriver and push down on the "air switch" under the passenger side wiper arm - if it lifts the switch is out of adjustment.
If not apply vacuum to the canister - see if the door opens.. if it works next is the the air switch under the passenger fender. - keep going ….
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 809
From: Chapel Hill NC
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I just fixed mine. Cant say it was easy to figure out and some components under dash are difficult to reach. Tons of info on the forum and keep in mind there could be electrical issues causing non operation.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,167
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
When trouble shooting the system - just remember it was designed to fail open. The main function of the "switch - air / vacuum" under the arm was to prevent the door from closing on the wiper arm. I have seen systems with hoses reversed on the control valve (under the fender) and thus it will drive you nuts. The Wilcox diagram makes it easier to trouble shoot.
You can also pull down the valve on the right side under the steering column to open the door. The electric valve is supposed to be on the back of the tachometer.
You can also pull down the valve on the right side under the steering column to open the door. The electric valve is supposed to be on the back of the tachometer.