Wiper switch... a shocking experience!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Springfield MA
Wiper switch... a shocking experience!!
I have been trying desperately to get the vette into safe and drivable shape for this weekend over the last several months.
There is a Corvette cruise in on Cape Cod that we signed up for.
Unfortunately, it is supposed to rain this weekend and I have never driven it in the rain.
So I figured I would replace the horrible weatherstripping at the rear pillar and check out the wipers.
Weatherstripping was not a problem, but I couldn't get the wipers to work. I double checked everything and then finally pulled the control panel to check the connection to the switch.
As I pushed on the connector, I got a nice BZZZZZ but then the wipers started working :confused: :confused:
So I figured, hey that was strange, I guess that it's OK. So I put it back together and of course it wouldn't work. So I repeated the process... including the shock.
So... now I guess that I have no wipers for the weekend and need a new switch. Rain-x here I come :)
Anyone have this problem??? Am I correct in thinking that it's the switch?
Thanks.
There is a Corvette cruise in on Cape Cod that we signed up for.
Unfortunately, it is supposed to rain this weekend and I have never driven it in the rain.
So I figured I would replace the horrible weatherstripping at the rear pillar and check out the wipers.
Weatherstripping was not a problem, but I couldn't get the wipers to work. I double checked everything and then finally pulled the control panel to check the connection to the switch.
As I pushed on the connector, I got a nice BZZZZZ but then the wipers started working :confused: :confused:
So I figured, hey that was strange, I guess that it's OK. So I put it back together and of course it wouldn't work. So I repeated the process... including the shock.
So... now I guess that I have no wipers for the weekend and need a new switch. Rain-x here I come :)
Anyone have this problem??? Am I correct in thinking that it's the switch?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: Wiper switch... a shocking experience!! (phoenix)
What year? If it's pre-76 you've probably got a cracked center gauge bezel causing the loss of ground at the wiper switch. Run a separate wire from one of the mounting screws where the switch is held onto the bezel and attach the other end to the ground point down on the shifter console.
Shannon
Shannon
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Ellicott City MD
Re: Wiper switch... a shocking experience!! (sb69coupe)
I agree. Seems ground problems are the most common cause of the wiper not working properly. (Unfortunately I didn't learn that until AFTER I bought the new wiper motor!) :nopity
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 24,906
Likes: 0
From: Swords Check/Saws Check/Clubs Check/Claws Check/Hatred Check/Anger Check/Murmaid Check/Murder Check
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Wiper switch... a shocking experience!! (fireball)
yup... had the same problem. it was a while ago and don't rememrb the cause but i do rememebr adding a better ground to help
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Re: Wiper switch... a shocking experience!! (phoenix)
Wow...that same SHOCK happened to me last month....and my gauge bezel was cracked. Won't happen again! New bezel arrived last week along with new 2 &1/16 inch Autometer gauges ($190 total for gauges!!). They look cool in the new bezel!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Re: Wiper switch... a shocking experience!! (72Shark)
That thin part of the bezel was a "break away safety feature". If yours is cracked, go out at night and fool with your wipers. You can see sparks between the cracked ends as the switch tries to seek ground. As others have said, temporarily run a wire from the switch to a good ground. Cure is a new, uncracked bezel. :) Chuck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Springfield MA
Re: Wiper switch... a shocking experience!! (Ed T)
Just an update...
It wasn't the ground. Even though I have a cracked bezel, I ran a new ground to a solid grounding point.
It seems that my motor is going. I can turn it on with the switch, then smack the motor and it will work... but then to turn it off, I have to unplug it at the motor.
I think that the motor is in need of a major cleanup before I start replacing the bezel, switch etc....
It was kind of funny though... at the Corvettes on the Cape rally... 5 inches of rain in 12 hours while running the rally. Every time we stopped, I had to pop the hood and unplug or smack the motor. :) The wipers work though :D:D:D
It wasn't the ground. Even though I have a cracked bezel, I ran a new ground to a solid grounding point.
It seems that my motor is going. I can turn it on with the switch, then smack the motor and it will work... but then to turn it off, I have to unplug it at the motor.
I think that the motor is in need of a major cleanup before I start replacing the bezel, switch etc....
It was kind of funny though... at the Corvettes on the Cape rally... 5 inches of rain in 12 hours while running the rally. Every time we stopped, I had to pop the hood and unplug or smack the motor. :) The wipers work though :D:D:D
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