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could use some help with my wipers please. on my 71 the door opens but the wipers wont come on. I replaced the switch last year and they worked but the aftermarket switches are junk. I tried them today and wont come on again. with engine off I opened wiper door manually and when I move switch I can hear a click that sounds like its coming from the wiper motor on firewall. does this mean switch is good? any help would be appreciated, thanks, Nutsy.
oh also let me add that when car is running the wiper door opens but wipers don't come on and the door closes.
Last edited by nutsy; Feb 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM.
Reason: add
I haven't used the wipers on my '71 since the early 80's. A couple of years ago I checked to see if they worked and nothing. The wiper door opened but no wiper operation. I got out the volt meter and checked for power at the wiper limit switch and nothing was present. I checked the override switch under the dash, 12V was there but not on the other side. It turned out that the contacts inside the switch were dirty. Cleaned the contacts and the wipers worked.
I would start at the wiper limit switch to see if it is closing when the wiper door opens and also check for 12v.
The click sounds like the solenoid in the wiper motor is working- HOWEVER as green 454 mentioned the wiper service switch- that sounds like your problem.
thanks for your replies. I turned the wiper service switch clockwise but nothing but clicking noise on firewall. when I turn the switch counter clockwise I still get the noise, should I? the wiper switch must be getting power if it makes clicking noise under hood, correct? I have a volt meter but have to figure out how to use it, lol, I know zero about wiring or electrical in a car? ill keep trying, thanks
Look at your wiper limit switch with the wiper door raised. Is the switch button getting pushed in when the wiper door raises up?
Set up your volt meter to read 12 or more dc volts. If you unplug the connector at the wiper limit switch, you can check for battery voltage coming from the wiper override switch. That's how I determined that my override switch was defective. If you have battery voltage, then your supply voltage at the override switch is good. If you turn the override switch counter clockwise you should lose voltage at the wiper limit switch.
Look at your wiper limit switch with the wiper door raised. Is the switch button getting pushed in when the wiper door raises up?
Set up your volt meter to read 12 or more dc volts. If you unplug the connector at the wiper limit switch, you can check for battery voltage coming from the wiper override switch. That's how I determined that my override switch was defective. If you have battery voltage, then your supply voltage at the override switch is good. If you turn the override switch counter clockwise you should lose voltage at the wiper limit switch.
man, you guys are the best. I pushed on that button with a screwdriver and it opened door all the way and wipers came on. was door wasn't opening up enough to let wipers out.
71 green 454, I adjusted the plunger out about an eighth of an inch which is about how much more it needed to push. but now I have no more room for adjustment, plunger is not totally screwed into bracket now but its secure. I will pull it out again tomorrow when it warms up here to see if it was enough. if not have no idea how to get more adjustment anywhere. thanks for all the help.
Last edited by nutsy; Feb 22, 2020 at 05:17 PM.
Reason: add
Since it worked before, your wiper door might not be opening all the way. It might need some lubrication at the hinges, or the actuator boot is leaking.
Open it a few times using the vacuum override pull down and see if it opens enough to push in the switch button.
I did notice the rubber plug that goes in the actuator is very loose and comes out super easy. would this possibly be causing a vacuum leak by not sealing tight?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
yes it could be. YOu could coat the sealing edge with a thin coat of vaseline or plumbers silicone to help it seal and see if that solves it. You could also check the plunger length setting to see if it vibrated loose and just isnt getting the same throw
yes it could be. YOu could coat the sealing edge with a thin coat of vaseline or plumbers silicone to help it seal and see if that solves it. You could also check the plunger length setting to see if it vibrated loose and just isnt getting the same throw
is this the adjustment you see when you pull back the rubber on the actuator? if so mine turns freely with my fingers. should there be a lock nut? would this give more movement where the plunger hits the wiper limit switch?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
yes there should be a locking nut. On there and on the little leg that is moved by the wiper door that touches the switch. You should adjust the wiper door actuator so that when closed, the actuator arm has traveled its entire length to the closed position. Then tighten and lock it. When openned it should push the door open as far as it will travel, then adjust the foot that actually touches the switch so the switch is all the way in and lock that in place. You should be good to go
I adjusted the adjustment bolt in the actuator all the way out to make it longer but my wiper door still only opens about a 3rd the way and wont close at all. maybe a vacuum leak?
also when I pull down the **** inside the car the door still don't open, isn't it supposed to? the headlight one opens the lights
just noticed this adjustment bolt is not connected to anything, should it be? maybe I disconnected something when I turned it?
Last edited by nutsy; Feb 23, 2020 at 04:38 PM.
Reason: add
I adjusted the adjustment bolt in the actuator all the way out to make it longer but my wiper door still only opens about a 3rd the way and wont close at all. maybe a vacuum leak?
also when I pull down the **** inside the car the door still don't open, isn't it supposed to? the headlight one opens the lights
Test your vacuum actuator. I was able to test mine with a short piece of hose connected to the front and rear nipples. Sucking on the hose on the rear nipple will open the wiper door and operate the wiper limit switch. I could hear the switch click and the rod was fully against it.
Vacuum on the front nipple closes the wiper door.
I adjusted the adjustment bolt in the actuator all the way out to make it longer but my wiper door still only opens about a 3rd the way and wont close at all. maybe a vacuum leak?
also when I pull down the **** inside the car the door still don't open, isn't it supposed to? the headlight one opens the lights
just noticed this adjustment bolt is not connected to anything, should it be? maybe I disconnected something when I turned it?
You will have to reconnect it. It's a turnbuckle coupling nut (right hand threads on one end and left hand threads on the other end).
hi 71 Green, I was trying to connect that for an half hr and figured it was stripped. was going on net to order another bolt but figured I would check here again. thanks, you saved me a few bucks and much aggravation. I reconnected it but my door is still not opening up all the way so wipers can come out. they do open now with the pull switch in the cab. I tried adjusting the bolt on the actuator but cant get it to open still. any ideas on this? thanks again.
Last edited by nutsy; Feb 23, 2020 at 05:42 PM.
Reason: add
hi 71 Green, I was trying to connect that for an half hr and figured it was stripped. was going on net to order another bolt but figured I would check here again. thanks, you saved me a few bucks and much aggravation. I reconnected it but my door is still not opening up all the way so wipers can come out. they do open now with the pull switch in the cab. I tried adjusting the bolt on the actuator but cant get it to open still. any ideas on this? thanks again.
It opens far enough with the pull down under the dash, but not with the wiper switch?
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Feb 23, 2020 at 07:07 PM.
just checked it. With pull down button under dash it does not open enough for wipers to come out. I have to pull up about last 3rd with my hand.
When you re-installed the adjustment nut, did you start from scratch and screw it on at both ends. How does the adjustment compare to the Willcox diagram? I would check the actuator to see if it is leaking, or a vacuum leak somewhere in the circuit.
You need to verify that the actuator is working correctly and not leaking at the rod seal or diaphragm. Vacuum on the green striped hose opens the wiper door, vacuum on the red striped hose closes the wiper door.
Last edited by 71 Green 454; Feb 24, 2020 at 10:45 AM.
Thanks 71 I will try the vacuum test tonight. Since my 71 had a frame off about 8 years ago everything looks new but I’m sure these aftermarket parts are not so good. The new wiper switch I installed last year is now jamming up from playing with it last couple days.
71 wipers not working
