Wiper Problems With 72
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Wiper Problems With 72
Hi! I have owned my base motor 72 Ontario Orange coupe for 21 years. It has been a great car but last summer the valance door began to pinch the wipers against the windshield. That has deteriorated to door opens but wipers do not move at all. Found that out in a downpour coming back from a show. Can anyone put me on a diagnostic track. In PA it will not pass annual inspection in April. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
There is a limit switch mounted on the firewall that turns the power on/off to the wipers when the door is in the correct position. There is also a Wiper door vacuum safty switch on the pass side that the wiper arm must close in order for the door to shut. You need to adjust these.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
If your headlights still open/close, than you still have vacuum. Sounds like it could be one of the relays, or valves/switches. Did the override under the steering wheel help the wipers come on? Look under there to make sure you don't have a disconnected line. Other than that, you'll probably have to troubleshoot the whole system to figure it out. That's what I did recently and the problem turned out to be the wiper door actuator. However, the wipers worked as long as the door remained open.
Check the forum here on the topic and you should be able to find links to a diagram on the system. If you understand fluid power, it's not too bad. Otherwise, it could be tough to diagnose.
Good Luck
, and you're not alone. These C3 vacuum systems can be a bee-otch.
Check the forum here on the topic and you should be able to find links to a diagram on the system. If you understand fluid power, it's not too bad. Otherwise, it could be tough to diagnose.
Good Luck
, and you're not alone. These C3 vacuum systems can be a bee-otch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Check the large **** under the dash (between the headlight and wiper door override switches). The **** turns the wipers off so you can service the wiper blades.
If that does not work....
Check switch located on passenger side wiper arm (mounts at base of wiper). Mine was deteriorated and allowed the door to close on the wiper / open and close after startup / open after shutdown.
There is a plunger in the engine compartment that is attached to the wiper door mechanism. When the door is open it moves back to push a switch in. This keeps the wipers from working until the door is completely open. It is located at the top of the firewall about in the middle.
If that does not work....
Check switch located on passenger side wiper arm (mounts at base of wiper). Mine was deteriorated and allowed the door to close on the wiper / open and close after startup / open after shutdown.
There is a plunger in the engine compartment that is attached to the wiper door mechanism. When the door is open it moves back to push a switch in. This keeps the wipers from working until the door is completely open. It is located at the top of the firewall about in the middle.
