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Wipers won't work

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Old Feb 11, 2015 | 04:11 PM
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Default Wipers won't work

Now that the vacuum controlled wiper door works fine (after replacing a defective vacuum relay), I can't get the wipers to work anymore. I checked the fuse: It's fine. I can only get the wipers to move (just a little) when I push on the switch on the dashboard (as if asking for windshield wash): They move a couple inches out of their lodging and back, although not fully. However, I can't get them to work either in low or high speed.
That's weird because they were working fine before I replaced the vacuum relay (except that the wiper door would stay open all the time). And when I tested again after replacing the relay, they worked once, only once, and stopped for good. Again, the fuse is good.

Any hint is welcome.
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Old Feb 11, 2015 | 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ATHANASE
Now that the vacuum controlled wiper door works fine (after replacing a defective vacuum relay), I can't get the wipers to work anymore. I checked the fuse: It's fine. I can only get the wipers to move (just a little) when I push on the switch on the dashboard (as if asking for windshield wash): They move a couple inches out of their lodging and back, although not fully. However, I can't get them to work either in low or high speed.
That's weird because they were working fine before I replaced the vacuum relay (except that the wiper door would stay open all the time). And when I tested again after replacing the relay, they worked once, only once, and stopped for good. Again, the fuse is good.

Any hint is welcome.
Don't know what year you're working on, but does the door open (if you have one)?
The power override under the dash could be turned off or have a bad connection. Also if you have a vacuum door, the wipers won't run unless the door is all the way open and pressing the micro switch on the firewall. Tell me more about your car and what happens when you pull the vacuum switch for the wiper door (if you have one)
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Old Feb 11, 2015 | 05:03 PM
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Also, if it's the car in your profile (71), the wiper switch has to be grounded in the center console. Mine didn't work and after troubleshooting all the overrides and safeties, I found that the ground where the wiper switch mounts wasn't connected to the car's ground. I added a small jumper wire from the mounting screw to ground and everything works fine. Willcox Corvette has a nice troubleshooting guide on their website to track down your problem.
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Old Feb 11, 2015 | 08:11 PM
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Go take a look at connector for the red/white striped wire where the limit switch connects. I'd also check the plunger for the limit switch and make sure it's pushing the switch in all the way and then test continuity of the wiper limit switch. If nothing, then I'd make sure you didn't knock the ground off the motor... if they worked before it's probably something simple


Corvette Windshield Wiper Motor Wire Schematic 69-72 with test




Wiper Motor Bench Test 69-72


Wiper Motor Wire Testing

Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 11, 2015 at 08:17 PM.
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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
Don't know what year you're working on, but does the door open (if you have one)?
The power override under the dash could be turned off or have a bad connection. Also if you have a vacuum door, the wipers won't run unless the door is all the way open and pressing the micro switch on the firewall. Tell me more about your car and what happens when you pull the vacuum switch for the wiper door (if you have one)
This is a 1971 LS5 (454). Yes, I have the wiper door and I first suspected the safety switch to be defective. But that is not the case.
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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 65GGvert
Also, if it's the car in your profile (71), the wiper switch has to be grounded in the center console. Mine didn't work and after troubleshooting all the overrides and safeties, I found that the ground where the wiper switch mounts wasn't connected to the car's ground. I added a small jumper wire from the mounting screw to ground and everything works fine. Willcox Corvette has a nice troubleshooting guide on their website to track down your problem.
Thanks for the hint: It makes sense indeed. I will check the grounding.
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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
Go take a look at connector for the red/white striped wire where the limit switch connects. I'd also check the plunger for the limit switch and make sure it's pushing the switch in all the way and then test continuity of the wiper limit switch. If nothing, then I'd make sure you didn't knock the ground off the motor... if they worked before it's probably something simple
Thank you so much for all this information. It may take me some time but I will use it. Thank you very much.
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Old Feb 13, 2015 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ATHANASE
Thank you so much for all this information. It may take me some time but I will use it. Thank you very much.
You don't figure it out.. post back.. we'll get it going.
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