windshield wipers
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
windshield wipers
My 1971, the only way I can make the wipers work is to use the override to open the cowl and then hold the wiper switch in the wash position. As soon as I let go of the wiper switch the wipers go to park. Any one have any ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,190
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
I had the same problem with the wipers only running when I held it to wash on my 72 when I first bought it. It turned out that the switch wasn't grounded. It should ground to the panel it screws into, but that panel has to be grounded to the car ground (like the dash panel just below it where the radio is. I placed a screwdriver in the gap and it started to work. I pulled out the upper part where the ww switch is and put a small jumper between the two panels and it's working great ever since.
I'm not sure how that would affect the door opening, I didn't have that issue.
I'm not sure how that would affect the door opening, I didn't have that issue.
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
What do the wipers do when you just turn them on? Any noise, clicking, anything?
Here is everything I have for you on the 1971 wiper system. First you should upload this file:
1969-1972 Corvette Windshield Wiper Motor Tech Help, Wire Schematic With Test
With the info below you can pre-check your wiper motor, wiper switch and most other parts in the circuit.
The wiper relay is located here on the 1971 cars.
Here is how you test it:
Wiper relay testing video
Wiper switch testing.
Wiper motor wiring diagram made simple
Wiper Motor testing with some Relay help
Wiper Motor Bench Test 69-72
Here is everything I have for you on the 1971 wiper system. First you should upload this file:
1969-1972 Corvette Windshield Wiper Motor Tech Help, Wire Schematic With Test
With the info below you can pre-check your wiper motor, wiper switch and most other parts in the circuit.
The wiper relay is located here on the 1971 cars.
Here is how you test it:
Wiper relay testing video
Wiper switch testing.
Wiper motor wiring diagram made simple
Wiper Motor testing with some Relay help
Wiper Motor Bench Test 69-72
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Willcox or anyone else that might know.
Regarding the "Wiper motor wiring diagram made simple" diagram shown previously in this thread.
I have had an issue with my system since day one of buying the car. I went so far as to put in a new wiper motor (Old one was destroyed) about a year ago but never completed the analysis to determine the total problem.
Today I removed the wiper motor and performed a bench tested as per the Willcox video and everything worked just fine. The instructions for the test were clear on running a ground to the case of the wiper motor in order for it to work properly.
In the wire schematic diagram above it shows 8 as a ground coming from the blower motor to the wiper motor. The wiper motor has the Red (hot) connector and a 3 plug (blue,yellow,green) but nothing else. Where does this ground attach to the wiper motor? What color is the wire coming from the Blower motor? Exactly where on the Blower motor is this ground wire. Does this ground have to come from the blower motor or can I just a wire to an existing ground.
Thanks in advance for any replies. Pictures would really help if you have them.
Regarding the "Wiper motor wiring diagram made simple" diagram shown previously in this thread.
I have had an issue with my system since day one of buying the car. I went so far as to put in a new wiper motor (Old one was destroyed) about a year ago but never completed the analysis to determine the total problem.
Today I removed the wiper motor and performed a bench tested as per the Willcox video and everything worked just fine. The instructions for the test were clear on running a ground to the case of the wiper motor in order for it to work properly.
In the wire schematic diagram above it shows 8 as a ground coming from the blower motor to the wiper motor. The wiper motor has the Red (hot) connector and a 3 plug (blue,yellow,green) but nothing else. Where does this ground attach to the wiper motor? What color is the wire coming from the Blower motor? Exactly where on the Blower motor is this ground wire. Does this ground have to come from the blower motor or can I just a wire to an existing ground.
Thanks in advance for any replies. Pictures would really help if you have them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
The wire is black.
/Karsten
Last edited by Danish Shark; Jul 25, 2016 at 10:28 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
wiper
With what you provided I found the cut off ground wire deep in the wire harness. The NEW wiper motor did not come with the ground tab. Using your information I dug out the old motor in the garage and found the tab. I took the old one off and attached it to the new Motor. Now with a proper ground I bet everything will work properly. Thanks for your help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
With what you provided I found the cut off ground wire deep in the wire harness. The NEW wiper motor did not come with the ground tab. Using your information I dug out the old motor in the garage and found the tab. I took the old one off and attached it to the new Motor. Now with a proper ground I bet everything will work properly. Thanks for your help.
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
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 212
Likes: 29
From: State College Pennsylvania
I don't know if you've fixed this already, but the connector on the back of the switch could be backward