68 Wipers not working!
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
68 Wipers not working!
Just got a 68 convertible and Im having issues with the wipers. I apologize if I ask alot of questions but I have very little knowledge in this department (wiring)!
Here is what I have done so far:
Tested the motor and verified it works. I hooked up with jumper cables to a good power source and ground it to the chasis. The wipers worked in one mode but only when I opened the door with the wiper override switch under the drivers side. The guy that owned the car before me said he replaced the wiper relay but still didnt get it to work.
I want to check this to verify he wired it correctly, where is the relay located? Is this why my wiper door doesnt open when the motor is running?
I need help...I live in Hawaii and it rains everyday, I can't cruise around until I fix this! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mahalo!
Here is what I have done so far:
Tested the motor and verified it works. I hooked up with jumper cables to a good power source and ground it to the chasis. The wipers worked in one mode but only when I opened the door with the wiper override switch under the drivers side. The guy that owned the car before me said he replaced the wiper relay but still didnt get it to work.
I want to check this to verify he wired it correctly, where is the relay located? Is this why my wiper door doesnt open when the motor is running?
I need help...I live in Hawaii and it rains everyday, I can't cruise around until I fix this! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mahalo!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Demotte In
68 wiper
Hello
I have a 68 and th echevy 68 vette assembly manual- and the wiper door is vacuum activated- see the canister on the passenger side of the enigne compartment? that is the vacuum canister for the wiper door to open and close- it as a vacuum line in the front and back with a plunger and rod that moves in and out to open and close the wiper door- it could be bad or the vacuum relay system down in the fender well on the passenger side may be bad. You may have a vacuum leak or the car is not timed properly and not making enough vacuum to open and close the wiper door.
There is a limit switch also next to the washer motor passenger side- see if that is not adjusted - same with the wiper door vacuum canister rod with an adjustable nut that ataches to the vacuum can and connects to the whiper dooe under the widshield grills.
You may want to go the corvettecentral.com and order the chevy assembly manual- good info
Good luck
Ed
I have a 68 and th echevy 68 vette assembly manual- and the wiper door is vacuum activated- see the canister on the passenger side of the enigne compartment? that is the vacuum canister for the wiper door to open and close- it as a vacuum line in the front and back with a plunger and rod that moves in and out to open and close the wiper door- it could be bad or the vacuum relay system down in the fender well on the passenger side may be bad. You may have a vacuum leak or the car is not timed properly and not making enough vacuum to open and close the wiper door.
There is a limit switch also next to the washer motor passenger side- see if that is not adjusted - same with the wiper door vacuum canister rod with an adjustable nut that ataches to the vacuum can and connects to the whiper dooe under the widshield grills.
You may want to go the corvettecentral.com and order the chevy assembly manual- good info
Good luck
Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
The relay is under the shifter plate on the side with the ashtray.
The black box seen in this picture.
I'll be right back with a link to Willcox's help section, they laid everything out nicely to walk you through troubleshooting just about every system in these cars.
The black box seen in this picture.
I'll be right back with a link to Willcox's help section, they laid everything out nicely to walk you through troubleshooting just about every system in these cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Here's the link to Willcox's repair and install page.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...22dc3e778e9f51
Here are a few links that should help you.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=218
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=195
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=201
There are a few members that seem to have a handle on these systems as well and hopefully they will help you out.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...22dc3e778e9f51
Here are a few links that should help you.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=218
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=195
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=201
There are a few members that seem to have a handle on these systems as well and hopefully they will help you out.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks for the great info and pics. I have looked at the wilcox and have tested the motor and believe I have a wiring issue. Just looking at the switch the wires are spliced horribly and may have a bad ground. I want to verify the relay wiring is all correct. I'm going to open her up tomorrow, I'll post my findings! Thanks for the advice and help! That's why I love these forums... Lots of smart people to help you out!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Stup.... DZ...
I'm a bit under the weather... I'll try to look at this thread as soon as possible and see if I can help.
68's... The hardest wipers to figure out. But please give me some time and we'll figure it out with you.
Willcox
I'm a bit under the weather... I'll try to look at this thread as soon as possible and see if I can help.
68's... The hardest wipers to figure out. But please give me some time and we'll figure it out with you.
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Sep 4, 2009 at 08:52 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
One of these days instead of pointing these guys to your help section I'll actually try to get my own wipers working.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thank you Rick.... I'm trying to get up and running... Honestly I'm glad I didn't go to Carlisle!
You know what they say, the plumbers pipes are always stopped up! I'm the same way. I've got that 70 Lt-1 and just when I get the shop working on it they get buried and have to work on customers cars.......
Ernie
You know what they say, the plumbers pipes are always stopped up! I'm the same way. I've got that 70 Lt-1 and just when I get the shop working on it they get buried and have to work on customers cars.......
Ernie
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thanks for the great info and pics. I have looked at the wilcox and have tested the motor and believe I have a wiring issue. Just looking at the switch the wires are spliced horribly and may have a bad ground. I want to verify the relay wiring is all correct. I'm going to open her up tomorrow, I'll post my findings! Thanks for the advice and help! That's why I love these forums... Lots of smart people to help you out!
Any findings to post yet?
:Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Your 68 wipers don't work? Join the club! 
When you figure it out could you fix mine? I have owned my 68 for 10 years and pulled the wiper fuse shortly after I bought the car - cured a nasty battery drain and stopped the wipers (nothing else would stop them, even turning the engine off) but of course they haven't been on since.
I try to not drive in the rain - gives me an excuse to not drive in the rain - and carry rainx just in case. (I realize this might not work in Hawaii)
When you figure it out could you fix mine? I have owned my 68 for 10 years and pulled the wiper fuse shortly after I bought the car - cured a nasty battery drain and stopped the wipers (nothing else would stop them, even turning the engine off) but of course they haven't been on since.I try to not drive in the rain - gives me an excuse to not drive in the rain - and carry rainx just in case.
(I realize this might not work in Hawaii)
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Funny...rain-x is what I have been using! But it rains daily here so it won't cut it. I'm troubleshooting the wipers on Sunday.. I had to work over the weekend unfortunately. I will let everyone know the outcome tomorrow and hopefully narrow down my options or fix it! Wish me luck I'm going to need it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,850
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Prndl.... One of these days when you get some time lets try to figure them out!
Stup… Post when you find something out! I may be online.
Willcox
Stup… Post when you find something out! I may be online.
Willcox
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 7
From: Chetwynd B.C.
Your 68 wipers don't work? Join the club! When you figure it out could you fix mine? I have owned my 68 for 10 years and pulled the wiper fuse shortly after I bought the car - cured a nasty battery drain and stopped the wipers (nothing else would stop them, even turning the engine off) but of course they haven't been on since.
I try to not drive in the rain - gives me an excuse to not drive in the rain - and carry rainx just in case. (I realize this might not work in Hawaii)
When you figure it out could you fix mine? I have owned my 68 for 10 years and pulled the wiper fuse shortly after I bought the car - cured a nasty battery drain and stopped the wipers (nothing else would stop them, even turning the engine off) but of course they haven't been on since.I try to not drive in the rain - gives me an excuse to not drive in the rain - and carry rainx just in case.
(I realize this might not work in Hawaii)
Yup sounds familiar
I've replaced the motor and had them working but then something else goes wrong. Fix that then something different again. RainX is your friend I have dash wiring problems so am considering a dash wiring harness this winter. 
Hope I'm not getting in over my head with that.Good luck on your wiper problem and I'm sure you'll get enuf help here to solve it. This is where I'm coming when I get started on my problems. shmoky
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
We verified all the vaccuum system is in working order. Opened up the dash and found a few wiring issues . We are trying to clean it up now. Looks like we may have a bad connection or ground. I will update in a little bit. We are tracing all the circuits and verifying grounds/ power us where it should be!
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
We found that the wiper-relay was hooked up incorrectly, and was fried. We installed a new one and got it working in both slow and high...but.... will need to replace the switch on the console, its old a worn out and I may have the wrong wiper motor installed. The colors of the wires are different, I got it from checkers and think they substituted a different year. Has this happened to anyone else?
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Good news.....We fixed it! It was multiple things at once:
1. the relay was fried due to previous owner installing incorrectly with wiring wrong so we replaced it.
2. the motor wiring plug was not installed correctly ( the 3 wires ) one of the contacts wasn't making contact, so I had power into the plug but none coming out so the door wasn't opening because that portion of the circuit was not getting any juice so the door wasn't opening or closing without the override. We redid the plug and presto the door opens and closes with the activation of the motor.
3. the switch in the console is worn and must be jiggled to get it to work in the two modes. It still works but needs to be replaced I ordered a new one and will install it when I get it.
So the slow wire tracing paid off and my wipers now work! Thanks for the help and recommendations!
1. the relay was fried due to previous owner installing incorrectly with wiring wrong so we replaced it.
2. the motor wiring plug was not installed correctly ( the 3 wires ) one of the contacts wasn't making contact, so I had power into the plug but none coming out so the door wasn't opening because that portion of the circuit was not getting any juice so the door wasn't opening or closing without the override. We redid the plug and presto the door opens and closes with the activation of the motor.
3. the switch in the console is worn and must be jiggled to get it to work in the two modes. It still works but needs to be replaced I ordered a new one and will install it when I get it.
So the slow wire tracing paid off and my wipers now work! Thanks for the help and recommendations!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Good news.....We fixed it! It was multiple things at once:
1. the relay was fried due to previous owner installing incorrectly with wiring wrong so we replaced it.
2. the motor wiring plug was not installed correctly ( the 3 wires ) one of the contacts wasn't making contact, so I had power into the plug but none coming out so the door wasn't opening because that portion of the circuit was not getting any juice so the door wasn't opening or closing without the override. We redid the plug and presto the door opens and closes with the activation of the motor.
3. the switch in the console is worn and must be jiggled to get it to work in the two modes. It still works but needs to be replaced I ordered a new one and will install it when I get it.
So the slow wire tracing paid off and my wipers now work! Thanks for the help and recommendations!
1. the relay was fried due to previous owner installing incorrectly with wiring wrong so we replaced it.
2. the motor wiring plug was not installed correctly ( the 3 wires ) one of the contacts wasn't making contact, so I had power into the plug but none coming out so the door wasn't opening because that portion of the circuit was not getting any juice so the door wasn't opening or closing without the override. We redid the plug and presto the door opens and closes with the activation of the motor.
3. the switch in the console is worn and must be jiggled to get it to work in the two modes. It still works but needs to be replaced I ordered a new one and will install it when I get it.
So the slow wire tracing paid off and my wipers now work! Thanks for the help and recommendations!
Good job.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Oahu....I'm in the US Submarine force( steely eyed killers of the deep) I'm pretty lucky, I have some really smart friends that together can figure just about anything out ( nuclear engineers, machinist mates, electricians, etc). They help me with alot of stuff! No way I would of figured this kind of stuff on my own.
