Wiper motor change
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: FL
Wiper motor change
I have a 68 Vetterod. That being said it is not a numbers matching Vette. I have an L88 long hood so not need for wiper door and all the mess that comes with it. I still have the origonial wiper motor and it does work. The problem is it seems to only have one speed no mater what position the switch is in. Also when switched off the wipers will quit at whatever position on the windshield thay are switched off. Do not go to the down position and then quit. So what do I need to look at? Is this a switch issue? Is this a wiper motor issue? I am a little confused with the various year wiper motors, how are they different? I see that 68 to 72 are the same but vendors want a lot more $ for a 68 motor. Some say the 73 wiper motor is unique and that 74 through 82 are the same. I am a little confused. Looking to fix my problem with either a switch or a wiper motor. Any suggestions on what is my next step?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
68 is by itself 69-72 are the same and have the wire for park. If you eliminate the wiper door, you can use a later one that doesn't have the washer to get a cleaner look. Just be sure to get a 2 speed one, not a delay one. That's what I have in my car, but I added the park wire.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: FL
Thanks for the tip. I don't have the wiper door anymore so I guess a 75 to 82 will work fine?? I understand about the two speed motor, will have to look at some wiring diagrams to see what to do about the park wire. That very well may be my whole problem. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
68 is by itself 69-72 are the same and have the wire for park. If you eliminate the wiper door, you can use a later one that doesn't have the washer to get a cleaner look. Just be sure to get a 2 speed one, not a delay one. That's what I have in my car, but I added the park wire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I think you have to have the switch for it, but the switch is different than the early one. I guess you could hide it somewhere.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
You can most likely get your 68 to work,if thats what you want here is a link to some help.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...0_rev_2_03.pdf
If you want to change motors to a later year then Garys idea of a 77 and up is good if you want to add an electric washer pump.
You should be able to control the later model motor and washer pump with your 68 dash switch with some wiring changes.
The dash switch just grounds,no power going to the dash switch.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...0_rev_2_03.pdf
If you want to change motors to a later year then Garys idea of a 77 and up is good if you want to add an electric washer pump.
You should be able to control the later model motor and washer pump with your 68 dash switch with some wiring changes.
The dash switch just grounds,no power going to the dash switch.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Condor-
I think first I would bench test the old motor.. I have a video on youtube for that.
Then if the motor works, find out why on the car from the PDF page that Roger sent you. Changing the motor is an option.. but why not use what you have if it's working..... Besides if it's a car problem and not the motor you will have to chase wires to fix it with any motor you use or run new wires.
1968
1969-1972
Willcox
I think first I would bench test the old motor.. I have a video on youtube for that.
Then if the motor works, find out why on the car from the PDF page that Roger sent you. Changing the motor is an option.. but why not use what you have if it's working..... Besides if it's a car problem and not the motor you will have to chase wires to fix it with any motor you use or run new wires.
1968
1969-1972
Willcox
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Okay, so my switch has off, slow, and fast. Pushing it will squirt fluid after I pull the pump out and see where it is binding. What do I do, install a variable capacitor inline with the slow wire? I'm all ears. Many people on the forum would love to do this. I'm putting in wireless locks tomorrow and this could be my next project!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Okay, so my switch has off, slow, and fast. Pushing it will squirt fluid after I pull the pump out and see where it is binding. What do I do, install a variable capacitor inline with the slow wire? I'm all ears. Many people on the forum would love to do this. I'm putting in wireless locks tomorrow and this could be my next project!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Will the '77 switch plug right in to the wires? Would the washer and park wire be different? Any idea how this works - would it be a variable capacitor?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Young-
Roger and I posted links to the schematics on the wiper motors and the video will show you how to hook them up.. I'm a bit lost here...
You have the wires, the relay and the switches you need in the car already. If you are doing away with the wiper access door, bypassing this door is easy.
Even if you wanted to wire the car just like the 1969-1972 or the 1973-1977 style motor.. you have the wires you need.
You'll find the 1974-1977 info at this link... http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=285
Willcox
Roger and I posted links to the schematics on the wiper motors and the video will show you how to hook them up.. I'm a bit lost here...
You have the wires, the relay and the switches you need in the car already. If you are doing away with the wiper access door, bypassing this door is easy.
Even if you wanted to wire the car just like the 1969-1972 or the 1973-1977 style motor.. you have the wires you need.
You'll find the 1974-1977 info at this link... http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=285
Willcox
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
Young-
Roger and I posted links to the schematics on the wiper motors and the video will show you how to hook them up.. I'm a bit lost here...
You have the wires, the relay and the switches you need in the car already. If you are doing away with the wiper access door, bypassing this door is easy.
Even if you wanted to wire the car just like the 1969-1972 or the 1973-1977 style motor.. you have the wires you need.
You'll find the 1974-1977 info at this link... http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=285
Willcox
Roger and I posted links to the schematics on the wiper motors and the video will show you how to hook them up.. I'm a bit lost here...
You have the wires, the relay and the switches you need in the car already. If you are doing away with the wiper access door, bypassing this door is easy.
Even if you wanted to wire the car just like the 1969-1972 or the 1973-1977 style motor.. you have the wires you need.
You'll find the 1974-1977 info at this link... http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=285
Willcox
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I do not have a variable speed wiper. I do have the newer style wiper motor with a functioning wiper door. As far as what I did, I don't exactly remember. I took the '69 shop manual and compared the regular schematic for a passenger car motor and the Corvette schematic and made it work. Seems to me you clip a wire and make it external so it can't stop until it parks, but I may be off base. It was not too hard to do.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I do not have a variable speed wiper. I do have the newer style wiper motor with a functioning wiper door. As far as what I did, I don't exactly remember. I took the '69 shop manual and compared the regular schematic for a passenger car motor and the Corvette schematic and made it work. Seems to me you clip a wire and make it external so it can't stop until it parks, but I may be off base. It was not too hard to do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
I looked up the switch for the '77 and it was $136 from Zip. I'll check out the later one too, but I feel like this shouldn't be that expensive. The wireless door locks were cheaper than that...
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
A factory switch alone will not make the wipers intermittent thre is also a controller that goes with the switch. If you want intermittent wipers I would suggest an add-on aftermarket box for around $50.