Been here since 2006 first post, my 1979 vette has me at wits end on the windhield wipers not working.

I can not get the wipers to turn on and off at the switch. I have read tons of info over the last few days here and other locations. I pulled the seats and the center console yesterday as i am trying to wrap up my 10 year project of getting my vette finished.

What i do know about the wiper issue on my car.
1. motor is grounded
2. solinoid clicks under the center console
3. will not spray water from the water bottle
4. not sure if water bottle pump has power to it or not.

I can get the wipers to work if i stick my test light into the top plug ( purple wire) on the wiper motor housing. The wire colors from top to bottom are purple,white and grey. As long as the test light is in the top wire slot the wipers work on all speeds but will not spray and will not turn off. They turn off as soon as i remove the test light probe and turn on as soon as i re insert it.

I also have an issue with my blower motor, it blows reguardless of fan switch location and wether the controls are on or off. Not sure if this is related or not although i did see some articles where both are mentioned. The AC controller is new (2007) from willcox parts.

The only other issues with the car are the speedometer does not work and i have a couple of brake light/turn light issues. The headlights do not open and close although i am close to solving that issue after 10 years of them being in the upright position.

I listed all my issues jut incase any are related.

 

Where is your wiper motor grounded? I had it grounded, but in the wrong place! Should be grounded to the block, say via one of the tranny bolts.

Light not opening... Are they lighting up or not?

 

The wiper motor is grounded to the starter. I can remove the ground wire from the wiper motor and ground it with another wire to the post and it acts the same.


I have had this car for 10 or more years, the head light were in the up position all these years. I replaced the relays and 1 can on the passenger side. If i help one of the lights a little bit to come up they both pop up. I know i am close but just mental drained from messing with them for a few days. I found a good link and have been tracing it down. I have good vacuum to the front air holding cross bar 20 inches. So hopefully i just have a issue with a vac line from the tank to relay or there to can. I probably should have replaced the drivers side actuator but i thought it checked out okay.

Once the wipers and headlights start working correctly i am going to get it inspected, go to regular plates instead of collector car plates, get a fair coat of new yellow paint and drive it everyday that i do not need my truck for the rest of the year. I bought the car because it was yellow and the body was in real good shape for the age and all the original parts were in place although it was plum worn out. I have gone thru the car from the radiator support in the front to the 1980 model molded rear bumper. Everything has been rebuilt or replaced from front to back. Bought the car for 2k and have probably spent another 6000 over the years to get to just these few issues left to tackle before the paint.

Thanks for the help so far!!

 

Is the wiper "Switch" grounded, both the motor and the switch need a ground.
http://www.vetteprojects.com/bmv/mis...tte%201979.pdf

 

The blower motor will always run, it was designed that way. Even when it is off, it will blow in low speed.

If you want it to really put out some air flow, increase the wire size on the ground wire, does wonders!

 

And close up all the gaps where the ducts connect.

 

I was into my vette's wiper motor just today. Mine wasn't working either. I found if I wiggled on the purple/pink/white connector going in it would hit and miss. I had to take the connection out and resolder the red and black wires to the motor and clean the contacts for the shutoff solenoid. There is a good video out there on the Wilcox site showing how to test the motor and explaining what wires do what. My washer pump still wont work but I traced it to the wiper switch itself. Guess I'll replace it. Seems it is always something with these old cars, huh?

 

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=27611

 

Thanks, i have been thinking i would just buy another wiper motor and see if that cures the ills. Sometime i can "over think" the problems i am having. The price is not that high and if i take the time to remove this one... might as well update it with a newer model.

 

If anyone could get a picture of where the windshield wiper/washer/delay control module is located and what size screw/bolt is used to mount it. my '79 came without a unit.
i located one and just have it lying on the bottom of the console. i would appreciate the help. thank you Don Mollohan
DonM01@att.net

 

While I cannot promise as my '79 came with an original control module that was was not attached upon my purchase, here are some photos that might help. Mine had a CB radio so things might be different as it is significantly larger that Delco radios I remember from that era. By coincidence I have everything removed at present and it's easy to see and photograph.

The yellow arrow in the first photo points to what I believe is the single original mounting hole.

The second photo shows the controller/relay installed. It seems to match the orientation I see in the assembly and service manuals. I used a #12 x 1/2 sheet metal screw as it was the smallest that would attach firmly. I am truly clueless as to why there is only one attachment point.

The yellow arrow in the third photo points to a hole whose use is unknown to me. I tried to put the controller/relay assembly there and while possible there is no way that the CB radio would fit.