Windshield Wiper Solenoid Door Actuator
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Windshield Wiper Solenoid Door Actuator
I am restoring a '69 and am working on the wipers. I noticed there are 2 vacuum hoses under the dash that I cannot find a home for. Looking in the Vacuum Troubleshooter 'leaflet' it notes a wiper door vacuum switch. Not the Windshield Wiper Arm Control Valve but a seperate vacuum switch. I cannot find this in my '69. At Ecklers I see a Windshield Wiper Solenoid Door Actuator that attaches to the back of the tach.
(http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1326)
Is this what the troubleshooter manual is referring to? If I need it, what does it do? I have just rerouted the hose so it has vacuum and the wiper door works OK. Also, on the solenoid I notice an electrical connection. Obviously this somehow ties into the wiper motor somewhere. Could this be why I can't get the wipers to work?
As always, thanks.
(http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1326)
Is this what the troubleshooter manual is referring to? If I need it, what does it do? I have just rerouted the hose so it has vacuum and the wiper door works OK. Also, on the solenoid I notice an electrical connection. Obviously this somehow ties into the wiper motor somewhere. Could this be why I can't get the wipers to work?
As always, thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Originally Posted by GPD
I am restoring a '69 and am working on the wipers. I noticed there are 2 vacuum hoses under the dash that I cannot find a home for. Looking in the Vacuum Troubleshooter 'leaflet' it notes a wiper door vacuum switch. Not the Windshield Wiper Arm Control Valve but a seperate vacuum switch. I cannot find this in my '69. At Ecklers I see a Windshield Wiper Solenoid Door Actuator that attaches to the back of the tach.
(http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1326)
Is this what the troubleshooter manual is referring to? If I need it, what does it do? I have just rerouted the hose so it has vacuum and the wiper door works OK. Also, on the solenoid I notice an electrical connection. Obviously this somehow ties into the wiper motor somewhere. Could this be why I can't get the wipers to work?
As always, thanks.
(http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1326)
Is this what the troubleshooter manual is referring to? If I need it, what does it do? I have just rerouted the hose so it has vacuum and the wiper door works OK. Also, on the solenoid I notice an electrical connection. Obviously this somehow ties into the wiper motor somewhere. Could this be why I can't get the wipers to work?
As always, thanks.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
The wiper and headlight overrides have their hoses. The headlight switch has it's hoses. The heater\ac controls has all it's hoses. I am at work now and I can't recall where the hose that goes through the firewall goes to. The other hose tees into the wiper override switch.
Last edited by GPD; Nov 1, 2006 at 10:30 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
There is a solenoid tied to the wiper switch. When you turn on the wipers, the solenoid opens (I guess) and allows vacuum to open the wiper door. It mounts on the back of the instrument panel closest to the wiper switch as I recall.
You can manually open the wiper door to check for wiper operation.
I'm not sure on your '69 but on my '72 there is a switch mounted at the base of the passenger side wiper arm with vacuum lines running to it. It keeps the wiper door open until the wipers have "parked" so it doesn't clamp down on the wipers while they are still going. Mine was shot and caused the wiper door to creep open after I shut off the engine and to sometimes close while the wipers were operating. I replaced it and everything works great (just a little FYI).
You can manually open the wiper door to check for wiper operation.
I'm not sure on your '69 but on my '72 there is a switch mounted at the base of the passenger side wiper arm with vacuum lines running to it. It keeps the wiper door open until the wipers have "parked" so it doesn't clamp down on the wipers while they are still going. Mine was shot and caused the wiper door to creep open after I shut off the engine and to sometimes close while the wipers were operating. I replaced it and everything works great (just a little FYI).
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Wow!, I had no idea that part was available again. That is what your looking for, but I'm curious how the door was working without it. Did you manually open the door with the override under the column and then turn on the wipers? The solenoid we're discussing actuates the vacuum to the large wiper door actuator solenoid when you turn on the wiper speed switch. Applied vacuum to that then opens the door, at which time it hits the switch next to the door actuator pot and electrical power goes to the wiper motor.
To close, the dash wiper switch cuts vacuum at that switch on the tach, the wiper blade hits the limit switch on the right side of the cowl, that cuts vacuum to the solenoid allowing it to switch main vacuum from 'open' to 'closed' and the actuator pot closes the door.
It's a bit complicated, but I just studied the AIM and factory repair manual to get it figured out. I had way more trouble bringing my defunct factory A/C-heater system back from the dead!
Hans
To close, the dash wiper switch cuts vacuum at that switch on the tach, the wiper blade hits the limit switch on the right side of the cowl, that cuts vacuum to the solenoid allowing it to switch main vacuum from 'open' to 'closed' and the actuator pot closes the door.
It's a bit complicated, but I just studied the AIM and factory repair manual to get it figured out. I had way more trouble bringing my defunct factory A/C-heater system back from the dead!
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by 72vette_454
...It mounts on the back of the instrument panel closest to the wiper switch as I recall....
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
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Thanks Wrencher.
Yes, I was manually operating the door with the override switch.
I have ordered the part.
Let me ask another related question. If the door is open, even without this switch, should the wipers work? I can't get mine to come on even with the door open. You can hear what sounds like a relay click when you turn it on. I have pulled the motor to test it tonight but shouldn't you be able to turn the motor with a wrench on the shaft? I cannot turn it at all. The water pump is still connected so I don't know if that would affect it. Again thx
Yes, I was manually operating the door with the override switch.
I have ordered the part.
Let me ask another related question. If the door is open, even without this switch, should the wipers work? I can't get mine to come on even with the door open. You can hear what sounds like a relay click when you turn it on. I have pulled the motor to test it tonight but shouldn't you be able to turn the motor with a wrench on the shaft? I cannot turn it at all. The water pump is still connected so I don't know if that would affect it. Again thx
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
You say you hear a "click"...If that is inside the cockpit that is probably the solenoid for the wiper door. If it is under the hood is it coming from the wiper motor itself?
There is a bracket mounted on the wiper door mechanism that pushes a switch on the firewall. When the switch button is pushed in, it completes the circuit and allows the wiper motor to operate. This bracket and switch arrangement keeps the wipers from working unless the door is open.
The switch is located between the wiper motor and the wiper door actuator. The bracket is a rod that comes out of the firewall with a 90* bracket angeled down and a plunger pointing back toward the firewall. The plunger can be adjusted to make sure it pushes the limit switch all the way in when the door is opened. Check that it is adjusted correctly. Also check for continuity across the switch and the wiring. You could have a bad switch or wires.
There is a bracket mounted on the wiper door mechanism that pushes a switch on the firewall. When the switch button is pushed in, it completes the circuit and allows the wiper motor to operate. This bracket and switch arrangement keeps the wipers from working unless the door is open.
The switch is located between the wiper motor and the wiper door actuator. The bracket is a rod that comes out of the firewall with a 90* bracket angeled down and a plunger pointing back toward the firewall. The plunger can be adjusted to make sure it pushes the limit switch all the way in when the door is opened. Check that it is adjusted correctly. Also check for continuity across the switch and the wiring. You could have a bad switch or wires.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
That "thing" that Eckler is saying is a repro of the original......what year from 68-72 had that? The one on the back of my Tach does not resemble that. I bought a NOS one a few years ago and it did not look like that. I'm not sure how the electrical connection would work on that using the existing connector from the harness. Has anyone bought that????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by Streamline
That "thing" that Eckler is saying is a repro of the original......what year from 68-72 had that? The one on the back of my Tach does not resemble that. I bought a NOS one a few years ago and it did not look like that. I'm not sure how the electrical connection would work on that using the existing connector from the harness. Has anyone bought that????
