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Turn the wiper switch on, nothing happens.
Pull the Wiper Door Control under the dash and the wiper door opens, but the wipers don't work.
I look at the Vacuum Actuator and see this:
Can the rubber piece (I think it's called a boot) be replaced easily or must the whole actuator be replaced? Which is the smarter option?
The wiper actuator seal is about ten bucks from any vendor and is an easy install. Just peel the old one off the rod and pull out of the actuator can and slide the new one on.
It sounds as if your vacuum system is working and your problem is electrical. With the wiper door open the wiper would work if it was the vacuum system. And the seal is not your problem and easy to replace as already mentioned.
One other tip, the wiper switch will not activate the wipers unless the switch body is grounded to the center console, which is grounded to the chassis.
After playing around with it a bit, it seems like the wipers are not operating because they are partially trapped by the wiper door which is not fully open - I'm talking less than 1/4".
On top of this, the wipers are not fully returning to the closed position and being caught by the wiper door when the switch it tuned off.
The wiper actuator seal is about ten bucks from any vendor and is an easy install. Just peel the old one off the rod and pull out of the actuator can and slide the new one on.
The wipers are probably not working because, as you stated, the wiper door is not fully opening or closing so the wiper door limit switch is not closing and electrically actuating the wipers. That would probably be due to the faulty seal in your pic of the wiper door actuator. Replace the obvious first and go from there but if you check your wiper door limit switch you will probably find the button is not fully depressed with your door not all the way open.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; Sep 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM.
Hi,
The button on the wiper door interlock switch on the firewall must be depressed to complete the circuit to the wiper motor. This prevents the wipers from starting until the door is fully open. There's adjustment on the plunger. This is mechanical and electrical function.
The plunger on the wiper safety switch under the right side wiper transmission in the wiper bay must be depressed by the lever on the transmission in order for the vacuum signal to the wiper door actuator to close is sent. The switch's position is adjustable. This is a mechanical and vacuum function.
I would first check the operation of the wiper door actuator to see if it's still functioning or if the damaged seal is causing it to malfunction.
Once the actuator is functioning you can check the interlock and safety switch.
Having a small vacuum pump with a gauge helps a lot in working on both the wiper and headlight systems.
Regards,
Alan
The wiper interlock switch, you can just see the adjustment nut on the plunger.
The safety switch under the lever. You can see the lever pushes on the plastic plunger of the switch. You can see the 2 bolts that adjust the switch to determine how far down the wiper arms are before the signal to close the wiper bay door is sent to the actuator.
I notice the protective 'bellows' is missing from your actuator. This 'may' have led to the deterioration of the actuator rod's seal.
Fixed... almost without a hitch. Wiper door fully opens after replacing the seal.
Replaced the missing boot, as Alan pointed out (only new looking thing in the engine bay)
I also tried adjusting the wiper safety switch, but mine seems to be fixed with no room for adjustment. Tried tightening and lubricating any part that required it. The passenger wiper barely clears the door, but it closes. Thanks again for the help.
I also tried adjusting the wiper safety switch, but mine seems to be fixed with no room for adjustment.
Normal travel for the safety switch is about halfway down the plunger's travel. I like to set it with about 1/8 inch gap below the bottom of the plunger. If you look again you should see the adjustment for it by moving the nuts on the bracket. Here's a view of how much travel there is:
Unless they're rust welded they WILL move. The spring steel attached is very stout. I usually work with the top one first, and then slide the lower one up with a small screwdriver inserted into the bolt hole.
Wipers Issue
