68 Wipers Won't Stop
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
68 Wipers Won't Stop
When car is started, wiper door opens and wipers run even with the wiper switch turned off. Low and high speed settings work, but wipers won't turn off. When car is shut off, wipers park and wiper door closes correctly.
Wiper system is new from a few years ago and has never been used (car is never in rain). System worked correctly for several years (tested it occasionally). Problem started after I pulled apart the center console and dash to wire in new radio, so wondering if I screwed something up there. I do have a good ground wire installed on the wiper switch.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Shawn
Wiper system is new from a few years ago and has never been used (car is never in rain). System worked correctly for several years (tested it occasionally). Problem started after I pulled apart the center console and dash to wire in new radio, so wondering if I screwed something up there. I do have a good ground wire installed on the wiper switch.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Shawn
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 362
Likes: 10
From: nashville tn
I would ck out 1- disconnect connector to switch if wipers do not come on you have a bad swith or may have put the connector on wrong it,s
possible if I remember. If you have a ohm meter you can ck switch out,
possible if I remember. If you have a ohm meter you can ck switch out,
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It very unusual for the wiper switch to be bad.. Possible sure, but not likely the problem.
I have a detailed repair and help section on the web site dedicated to the 1968 wiper motors.. http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=293
This file also has a correct wire schematic and voltage test.
Upload this and if you don't figure it out, post again.
obviously your motor runs and parks.. but this might help you in knowing what wires do what to the motor.
1968
Willcox
I have a detailed repair and help section on the web site dedicated to the 1968 wiper motors.. http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=293
This file also has a correct wire schematic and voltage test.
Upload this and if you don't figure it out, post again.
obviously your motor runs and parks.. but this might help you in knowing what wires do what to the motor.
1968
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Aug 29, 2010 at 10:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Yes I found your excellent information on the '68 wiper system and I've been studying that. Thanks very much for taking the time to publish that. I am kind of assuming that since my motor runs on both speeds and parks that the motor itself is fully functional. (Not sure that is a valid assumption.) I did test the switch later today and it seems to be OK. (I ordered a new one, but I suspect that won't help.) I can't really tell how to diagnose things like the relay, and there aren't that many other parts involved... I will try to test the voltages when connected and running to see if they match the voltages in the document you provided, then post those.
Thanks,
Shawn
Thanks,
Shawn
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Pull the 3 wire connector from the switch , if the wipers stop the switch is most likely bad . If they don't stop pull the 2 wire connector ( blue and yellow) from the wiper door relay in the console. IMO the lt blue wire is the key.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am kind of assuming that since my motor runs on both speeds and parks that the motor itself is fully functional. (Not sure that is a valid assumption.)
I did test the switch later today and it seems to be OK.
I will try to test the voltages when connected and running to see if they match the voltages in the document you provided, then post those.
Thanks,
Shawn
I really didn't want to re-visit the 68 wiper system 
Only year that works this way and a real pita... But......... here goes..... I'll pull the schematics and try to grind this through my head for you and you get the voltage reads. Yes... your motor is fine if it hits both speeds and parks.
Switch test was passed.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Pete-
Just some food for thought.
Did you make sure the wires in the connector at the motor are in the right position? When you purchase a rebuilt motor they will not come with this connector and it's common for the wires to be in the wrong position. Looking at the connector, Red on top left, White top Right and brown on bottom.
After watching the video again for the zillion'th time! (And boy do I sound like a hick)...
I'm on board with Roger! The blue wire is what controls the motor shutting off and parking. With this in mind, I'd head in to the console and check out the relay!
Post what you find... I'm in to it now, I'll be watching.
Just some food for thought.
Did you make sure the wires in the connector at the motor are in the right position? When you purchase a rebuilt motor they will not come with this connector and it's common for the wires to be in the wrong position. Looking at the connector, Red on top left, White top Right and brown on bottom.
After watching the video again for the zillion'th time!
(And boy do I sound like a hick)... I'm on board with Roger! The blue wire is what controls the motor shutting off and parking. With this in mind, I'd head in to the console and check out the relay!
Post what you find... I'm in to it now, I'll be watching.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Pete-
Just some food for thought.
Did you make sure the wires in the connector at the motor are in the right position? When you purchase a rebuilt motor they will not come with this connector and it's common for the wires to be in the wrong position. Looking at the connector, Red on top left, White top Right and brown on bottom.
After watching the video again for the zillion'th time! (And boy do I sound like a hick)...
I'm on board with Roger! The blue wire is what controls the motor shutting off and parking. With this in mind, I'd head in to the console and check out the relay!
Post what you find... I'm in to it now, I'll be watching.
Just some food for thought.
Did you make sure the wires in the connector at the motor are in the right position? When you purchase a rebuilt motor they will not come with this connector and it's common for the wires to be in the wrong position. Looking at the connector, Red on top left, White top Right and brown on bottom.
After watching the video again for the zillion'th time!
(And boy do I sound like a hick)... I'm on board with Roger! The blue wire is what controls the motor shutting off and parking. With this in mind, I'd head in to the console and check out the relay!
Post what you find... I'm in to it now, I'll be watching.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Roger,
If the wires were reversed I think this would prevent the motor from working properly. He stated he has high, low and park... Not sure.. if it was 69 up I'd have a better idea. I didn't do miss-wire test on the 68 motors... I didn't want to burn one up testing.
But I really think the problem is his relay... guess we'll have to wait and see.
If the wires were reversed I think this would prevent the motor from working properly. He stated he has high, low and park... Not sure.. if it was 69 up I'd have a better idea. I didn't do miss-wire test on the 68 motors... I didn't want to burn one up testing.
But I really think the problem is his relay... guess we'll have to wait and see.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
OK, here is the update.
First, I disconnected all three wires from the switch yesterday and it still ran continuously.
I just did the test of disconnecting the blue and yellow wires from the relay. When I did this, the wipers still ran continuously (even with switch off) but now switch didn't change the speed of the wipers, and when I killed the power (turned off ignition switch) wipers wouldn't park (just cycled in and out of park. I pulled the three wire connection to the motor (blue yellow green) but that also didn't stop the motor from cycling, so disconnected the battery.
Ghost in the machine?
First, I disconnected all three wires from the switch yesterday and it still ran continuously.
I just did the test of disconnecting the blue and yellow wires from the relay. When I did this, the wipers still ran continuously (even with switch off) but now switch didn't change the speed of the wipers, and when I killed the power (turned off ignition switch) wipers wouldn't park (just cycled in and out of park. I pulled the three wire connection to the motor (blue yellow green) but that also didn't stop the motor from cycling, so disconnected the battery.
Ghost in the machine?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Eating ....
Ok.. I want you to watch the very end of this video.. tell me if this is what your wiper motor is doing.
1969-1972
Also.. did you check the voltages on the wires when it was running?
Have you verified that the switch is grounded in the dash? If the dash bezel is broke at the thin area, you may need to run a jumper ground from the back of the wiper switch to the lower portion of this bezel.
If the motor is acting like the one in the end of the video above then your problem is a ground issue! So post back.. I'll be on about another hour..
Ernie
Ok.. I want you to watch the very end of this video.. tell me if this is what your wiper motor is doing.
1969-1972
Also.. did you check the voltages on the wires when it was running?
Have you verified that the switch is grounded in the dash? If the dash bezel is broke at the thin area, you may need to run a jumper ground from the back of the wiper switch to the lower portion of this bezel.
If the motor is acting like the one in the end of the video above then your problem is a ground issue! So post back.. I'll be on about another hour..
Ernie
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
When I did the test where I removed the blue/yellow connector from the relay, the wipers cycled near park and I suspect this was just like the motor shown in the video near the end.
Regarding the wiper switch ground, I have a separate ground wire installed so that I don't rely on the bezel for ground.
I will set out to measure the voltages on the three wires (green/yellow/blue) connector on the motor with switch off/on/high. I will do this tonight after work and post the results. Looks like the best way to do this is to partially remove the connector so that some of the blades are visible and then get a probe down in there.
Regarding the wiper switch ground, I have a separate ground wire installed so that I don't rely on the bezel for ground.
I will set out to measure the voltages on the three wires (green/yellow/blue) connector on the motor with switch off/on/high. I will do this tonight after work and post the results. Looks like the best way to do this is to partially remove the connector so that some of the blades are visible and then get a probe down in there.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Replaced blue/yellow connector on wiper relay (couldn't see any keying, so replaced connector the way it was laying). Reconnected three wire connector (green/yellow/blue) on wiper. Reconnected battery. Started car. Wipers began to run, puff of smoke came out of wiper motor area. Wipers parked and door closed. Wipers now appears DOA, no response from wiper switch.
No lie. This sucks!
Checked the wiper fuse, it looks like it is not blown.
So, wtf? Any ideas? Did I reinstall the blue/yellow connector backwards?
No lie. This sucks!
Checked the wiper fuse, it looks like it is not blown.
So, wtf? Any ideas? Did I reinstall the blue/yellow connector backwards?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 362
Likes: 10
From: nashville tn
ouch !!
I can say I feel your pain, If I understand from your oringinal email the wiper system worked fine untill you installed a radio ?? Then you started having problems? Puff of smoke after some you changed the connector to the relay says you did somthing wrong, doubt you blew your motor, I will ck out the original wiring and diagrams I have for my 68 and try to get you back on track, don't shoot your car.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
encouragement
Thanks for the words of encouragement and help! I would like to know if the two wire connector (blue/yellow) to the wiper relay can be installed backwards, if you can check that it would be helpful.
I couldn't see any evidence of a key on that connector to prevent it from being installed backwards, so I assumed it could be installed either way.
I couldn't see any evidence of a key on that connector to prevent it from being installed backwards, so I assumed it could be installed either way.