1969 windshield wipers
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
1969 windshield wipers
I am new to this site, but I just purchased a 1969 corvette. The wipers won't work. The "door" wont lift up. I know it is vacuum operated. Is there a problem common to these cars that someone can advise me of?
Thx
Tom R C
Thx
Tom R C
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
It is a complex system, but mine has worked for 31 years and 145,000 miles with only one failed part since getting it operational after buying the car.
There Chevrolet Service Manual explains it and there are many previous posts on specific problems.
There are many things to check, among them: vacuum going to the relay, vacuum signal to the relay, vacuum to the actuator, actuator leak free, leak free vacuum lines, proper vacuum line plumbing, etc, etc.....
There Chevrolet Service Manual explains it and there are many previous posts on specific problems.
There are many things to check, among them: vacuum going to the relay, vacuum signal to the relay, vacuum to the actuator, actuator leak free, leak free vacuum lines, proper vacuum line plumbing, etc, etc.....
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 728
Likes: 1
From: Patchogue New York
hi tom,
you need to provide more detail for your problem.
Do the wipers work if/when you have the door up? Have you tried the override under the steering wheel? If do do a search this forum for "wiper door" on the C3 Tech/Performance page you should come up with 3 pages of wiper door related threads.
you need to provide more detail for your problem.
Do the wipers work if/when you have the door up? Have you tried the override under the steering wheel? If do do a search this forum for "wiper door" on the C3 Tech/Performance page you should come up with 3 pages of wiper door related threads.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 92
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Corvald
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
As OPs have suggested, the first thing you should check is if the manual override switch will make the door go up/down. If it does, you should next make sure the relay attached to the back of the TACHOMETER is getting activated when you turn the wiper switch on. From there, it's a mater of chasing the vacuum lines down to each component in the "chain".
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
I manually opened the door, the wipers won't work with the door open and the safety switch depressed. The previous owner replaced the wiper motor. The motor is hot as a firecracker. I removed the motor and it will operate with a groung and power applied. I checked the voltage to the motor and it was 12 volts. I also removed the wipers from the motor to be sure no binding was stopping the motor. Motor very hot. any suggestions?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Since you have verified that the manual over ride raises the door but the wipers still do not work. Try pushing in the wiper switch (activating the washer). If they work, then your wiper switch in the dash may be connected upside down ( it was on my 69). Search for thread on "weird wiper problem" for additional details
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Also your wiper override switch(the ****) could be bad. Jump those two wires across then try turning the wipers on. The other problem could be your gauge bezel might be broke on the thin sections on each side and its losing ground.
The wiper system is 12V hot all the time and the switches and relays GROUND at activation to make everything work. If the bezel is broke, the wiper switch won't ground well. Our 69' did that. As for your door not opening, it can be many things but if you pull the override switch and open the door, and the wipers still don't come on, you have more then one problem. Which is common on these cars. You'll figure it out though.
Jump the wiper **** switch first and see what it does.
The wiper system is 12V hot all the time and the switches and relays GROUND at activation to make everything work. If the bezel is broke, the wiper switch won't ground well. Our 69' did that. As for your door not opening, it can be many things but if you pull the override switch and open the door, and the wipers still don't come on, you have more then one problem. Which is common on these cars. You'll figure it out though.
Jump the wiper **** switch first and see what it does.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11
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The only way to open the door was to remove the plug from the rear of the cannister. It would not work with either switch. Headlights openred though, so vacuum was there for them anyway. Motor still hot. I removed and it works with direcrt hook up.
Tom
Tom
