headlight washers on a 69
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
headlight washers on a 69
how do they operate,where is the switch? simultaneously with windshield washer fluid? I am in process of getting windshield washer fluid pump and reservoir set up(wasnt on the car) does the headlight washers use its own reservoir and pump? any other pertinent info is much appreciated. im close to having everything working on the car(washer fluid,seatbelt and headlight light on gauge cluster do not turn off when lights are up and seatbelt fastened) I aim to have everything work on this car for at least one day lol
thanks! Dave
thanks! Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Dave, the '69 uses a unique washer pump setup with a secondary pump outlet to feed the headlight washers. The headlamp washers operate only when the windshield washers are pumping. It is all plumbed off the same system using the windshield washer pump on the wiper motor.
Also, the seatbelt lamp is not tied to the actual belt buckles. You only press the button to turn the light off after each time that the car is started.
I've got a '69 AIM and the '69 guidebook that goes into detail about both these systems. Let me know if you want to borrow either of them.
Shannon
Also, the seatbelt lamp is not tied to the actual belt buckles. You only press the button to turn the light off after each time that the car is started.
I've got a '69 AIM and the '69 guidebook that goes into detail about both these systems. Let me know if you want to borrow either of them.
Shannon
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
thanks Shannon! I bought the AIM the other day but havent gone through it yet. my seatbelt light doesnt go out by pushing the button(aside from when button is being held in,as soon as i release light is back on)
whats the 69 guidebook? havent seen that around...
I need to compare your engine compartment to mine and take stock of whats missing lol
whats the 69 guidebook? havent seen that around...
I need to compare your engine compartment to mine and take stock of whats missing lol
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Long Grove, IL
Here is a picture that I posted a while back that shows all of the ports and where they should go.
A - From the wiper fluid reservoir
B - both ports to "G" then on to "D"
C - To headlight washers
D - From washer pump (see "B" above)
E - To "F" which goes to each wiper arm
F - T fitting to split washer fluid to each wiper arm (see "E" above)
G - Combines both outputs of the washer pump (see "B" above)
Hope this helps
Jay
A - From the wiper fluid reservoir
B - both ports to "G" then on to "D"
C - To headlight washers
D - From washer pump (see "B" above)
E - To "F" which goes to each wiper arm
F - T fitting to split washer fluid to each wiper arm (see "E" above)
G - Combines both outputs of the washer pump (see "B" above)
Hope this helps
Jay
Last edited by griffths; Apr 21, 2005 at 07:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
as Shannon informed me when he looked my car over,im definitely missing some parts lol
this is what mine looks like,what do I need to buy and install?
ps-i have the reservoir,cap and line
thanks for the diagram! im saving this for when i get everything for installation.
this is what mine looks like,what do I need to buy and install?
ps-i have the reservoir,cap and line
thanks for the diagram! im saving this for when i get everything for installation.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 91
great pic. It looks like "F" in the pic is the anti siphon valve that attaches to the front end of the hoses to the left and right, splitting to the upper and lower headlight washer nozzles. The function is to keep the washer fluid from dripping out when the headlights are closed. If you have the tell-tale puddle of fluid on the ground beneath the washers after using them, you more than likely don't have these pieces.
I recognize the piece because I have searched forever for them. They are impossible to find and no one, I mean NO ONE, makes the piece aftermarket.
I recognize the piece because I have searched forever for them. They are impossible to find and no one, I mean NO ONE, makes the piece aftermarket.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Dave, you be needin' a washer pump assembly 
Unfortunately, the '69 washer pump fittings are about as rare as hens teeth, so I don't know how easy it will be for you to find the correct setup. You should start by contacting some of the used parts vendors such as Americas Finest Corvettes www.corvetteusa.com to see if they can help.
Unfortunately, the '69 washer pump fittings are about as rare as hens teeth, so I don't know how easy it will be for you to find the correct setup. You should start by contacting some of the used parts vendors such as Americas Finest Corvettes www.corvetteusa.com to see if they can help.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Long Grove, IL
Originally Posted by dennis
great pic. It looks like "F" in the pic is the anti siphon valve that attaches to the front end of the hoses to the left and right, splitting to the upper and lower headlight washer nozzles...
Regards,
Jay
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by griffths
There are two anti-siphon fittings in the system. One goes on the output to the wiper arms and the second goes to the headlight washers as you have identified. As far as I know these are not available from any source as a repoduction or even a functional replacement. If someone has a source give it up!
Regards,
Jay
Regards,
Jay
is it included in this NOS kit?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,861
Likes: 713
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
The 69 only wiper motor/washer system is TOUGH to find, and very expensive when you do.
In my swap meet travels, I've only seen one headlight washer "system" for sale separately, and the guy was asking $200.00 for just that part.
You can "rig" a 5 port pump to work, or you could "rig" a 3 port pump to make the headlight squirters "squirt". Chuck
In my swap meet travels, I've only seen one headlight washer "system" for sale separately, and the guy was asking $200.00 for just that part.
You can "rig" a 5 port pump to work, or you could "rig" a 3 port pump to make the headlight squirters "squirt". Chuck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,861
Likes: 713
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Any vacuum T would work to rig a system. The "barrel shaped" "F" connectors are acutally one way valves that prevent the windshield washer fluid from draining back from the nozzles.
With the one way valves, the squirters "squirt" immediately upon pushing the button. Without the one way valves, the fluid drains away from the nozzles, so you have to push the button multiple times to get fluid to "squirt".
I don't believe anybody sells them. You can find them at Corvette flea markets, usually in the $1.00 box. Chuck
With the one way valves, the squirters "squirt" immediately upon pushing the button. Without the one way valves, the fluid drains away from the nozzles, so you have to push the button multiple times to get fluid to "squirt".
I don't believe anybody sells them. You can find them at Corvette flea markets, usually in the $1.00 box. Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Just my two cents. Why on earth would you want the headlight squirter to work? I've got a '69 and disabled my headlight squirter. They are a joke and don't really do anything other than squirt a puny amount of water on the headlights. They certainly don't clean them. You could spend a lot of time and effort for something that will disappoint you. Of course I understand that you want "everything" to work...but trust me....this one feature is a loser!!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,036
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
Originally Posted by fontking1a
Just my two cents. Why on earth would you want the headlight squirter to work? I've got a '69 and disabled my headlight squirter. They are a joke and don't really do anything other than squirt a puny amount of water on the headlights. They certainly don't clean them. You could spend a lot of time and effort for something that will disappoint you. Of course I understand that you want "everything" to work...but trust me....this one feature is a loser!!!!
good point-not like they have wipers on them lol. I wouldnt ever use them,just want the ability to there.(no windshield washer right now either) given my car lives in a garage under a cover and only sees perfect weather it doesnt matter anyway. Just looking for "factory correct" parts for the day(hopefully decades from now) that I sell it while I can still find them. did you just disco the fluid lines to the headlights?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
My '69's washer system is fully functional and I was surprised to see some of the responses you got.
First to wash the wipers you need to push in the wiper switch and hold it down. What that does is energize what I'd call the control valve that sends fluid to the washers instead of the wipers. I actually bought these the valve and housing new in the late '70's when I got my '69 fully functional. There are no check valves in the system beyond those in the washer pump itself.
First to wash the wipers you need to push in the wiper switch and hold it down. What that does is energize what I'd call the control valve that sends fluid to the washers instead of the wipers. I actually bought these the valve and housing new in the late '70's when I got my '69 fully functional. There are no check valves in the system beyond those in the washer pump itself.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 421
Likes: 2
From: Long Grove, IL
Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette
There are no check valves in the system beyond those in the washer pump itself.
Regards,
Jay
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,861
Likes: 713
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette
My '69's washer system is fully functional and I was surprised to see some of the responses you got.
First to wash the wipers you need to push in the wiper switch and hold it down. What that does is energize what I'd call the control valve that sends fluid to the washers instead of the wipers. I actually bought these the valve and housing new in the late '70's when I got my '69 fully functional. There are no check valves in the system beyond those in the washer pump itself.
First to wash the wipers you need to push in the wiper switch and hold it down. What that does is energize what I'd call the control valve that sends fluid to the washers instead of the wipers. I actually bought these the valve and housing new in the late '70's when I got my '69 fully functional. There are no check valves in the system beyond those in the washer pump itself.
and yes, you do have to hold the button down for a few seconds. That does energize the solenoid, allowing water to go to the headlights. A quick push of the button will squirt water only on the windshield. I don't have a schematic of the pump system, and know nothing of internal check valves, but those barrel shaped fittings, labelled "F" are one way or check valves. They allow fluid (or air) to go one way only. They prevent "back-leaking". There's one that goes with the windshield washer, and one, maybe 2 on the headlight circuit. Chuck
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by griffths
Not true for a completely original system. From the factory there were two tee fittings that contained check valves. In my previous reply post with the picture, the fitting I am referring to are labeled as "F". They are not REQUIRED for the system to function and any tee fitting can be substituted, however washer fluid will have a tendency to leak out of the washer line between use.
Regards,
Jay
Regards,
Jay
Separately, the reason I like having my headlight washers along with EVERY other system working is simply to have my car at "Full Fighting Strength"!