'81 Wiper Motor
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Riverview Florida
'81 Wiper Motor
What is the purpose of the single red wire on the right hand side of the wiper motor housing? Is it for the washer pump? It seems to be hot all the time the key is on.
I want to use it for power to my electric choke. Any reason not to?
I want to use it for power to my electric choke. Any reason not to?
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From: Nottingham
That's a sensing wire that tells the controller to cut the power to the motor after it's done one revolution in intermittent mode. It's grounded through a contact in the motor gear, then the controller cuts the juice and waits for a period of time that depends on what position you've got the timing **** on the dash switch.
If you remove that wire, the only problem you're going to have is that the wipers will just always work on permanent low speed when you put them in intermittent.
Gotta be honest, I think there are better places to take a switched feed for your choke... isn't there actually a choke power wire in the alternator "branch" of the front wiring harness? Surely the 81 had a 'lectric choke as stock?? Or was it done with the PCM by that time?
If you remove that wire, the only problem you're going to have is that the wipers will just always work on permanent low speed when you put them in intermittent.
Gotta be honest, I think there are better places to take a switched feed for your choke... isn't there actually a choke power wire in the alternator "branch" of the front wiring harness? Surely the 81 had a 'lectric choke as stock?? Or was it done with the PCM by that time?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Riverview Florida
Thanks for the great description of what that wire does. I was trying to use it because it is the closest and easiest wire to get to. I bought the car with a brand new crate motor with a manual choke carb installed by the previous owner and he had removed all the original wiring that didn't have a place to go on the new motor.
I'm sure I can turn up another switched feed.
Again, thanks for the help.
I'm sure I can turn up another switched feed.
Again, thanks for the help.
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From: Nottingham
No worries, in fact on having thought about it a bit more, if you did use that wire, then you would be essentially grounding it, through the choke coil. So the wiper controller would always "think" that it was being asked to wait, and you'd actually never get ANY wiper movement at the intermittent setting. So, totally the opposite of what I said first, but still pretty crappy! 
You're right, I'm sure there's a better option for a switched hot. If I think of any good candiadates I'll post back..
cheers
Theo
You're right, I'm sure there's a better option for a switched hot. If I think of any good candiadates I'll post back..
cheers
Theo
