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78 wiper switch with delay or not

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Old 07-21-2018, 04:39 PM
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BKelly78
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Default 78 wiper switch with delay or not

My 78 has a windshield wiper switch with a slow and fast setting only. I purchased a new switch which has the delay in the switch. My wiring harness does not have the extra wiring plug that matches extra delay connection on the new switch.
My first question is, now that I have this switch, will the regular control part of the switch work fine without the delay part.
Second question is, how difficult is it to add the wiring needed so that the delay part of the switch will work? Or is it worth the trouble having the delay feature.
The dash is out of the car right now so it would be convenient to get to everything, if need be.

Old 07-22-2018, 11:56 AM
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0Willcox Corvette
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You can plug and use the delay switch on your car, it'll work fine... It just won't have delay.

Adding delay to the car would be a royal pain. You'd need the jumper harness and the delay box for starters... this mounted inside the console. I've done this job years ago on my own car and I'd not do it again.
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Old 07-23-2018, 08:42 AM
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Rotonda
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Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
You can plug and use the delay switch on your car, it'll work fine... It just won't have delay.

Adding delay to the car would be a royal pain. You'd need the jumper harness and the delay box for starters... this mounted inside the console. I've done this job years ago on my own car and I'd not do it again.
FWIW
1) You also need the wiper motor cover from a 78-82 C3 with delay. These have a red/pink wire coming from them that provides an indexing signal to help the system park the wiper after each delay swipe. They are neither cheap or plentiful.
2) If you're determined, suggest that you use Lectric Limited repo box. Much newer, more durable electronics than the original. Also, there were changes between the 78-80 system and the 81-82 system. The 81-82 system appears to be a superior design.
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Old 07-23-2018, 06:06 PM
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SwampeastMike
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Definitely heed the advice of #2 and #3!

IF you have the dash completely removed and are willing to REMOVE the cabin wiring harness it won't be a truly horrible job provided you have the proper Packard electric terminals, at least a basic terminal crimping tool and basic soldering skills.

You'll spend FAR, FAR more than the original cost of the option! Replacement and upgraded delay modules are easily available but they'll set you back more than a bill. As mentioned, the utterly required wiper motor cover is long discontinued and increasingly scarce. I consider myself VERY lucky to have found one for about $50 a few years ago.
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Old 07-23-2018, 07:04 PM
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0Willcox Corvette
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Originally Posted by Rotonda
FWIW
1) You also need the wiper motor cover from a 78-82 C3 with delay. These have a red/pink wire coming from them that provides an indexing signal to help the system park the wiper after each delay swipe. They are neither cheap or plentiful.
2) If you're determined, suggest that you use Lectric Limited repo box. Much newer, more durable electronics than the original. Also, there were changes between the 78-80 system and the 81-82 system. The 81-82 system appears to be a superior design.
Yeah.. I definitely forgot about the motor cover.... But I was actually trying to just tell him the delay switch should work for 78-79 cars... The cover below was used as a timer for the system keeping the arm location in flow with the delay timer


Last edited by Willcox Corvette; 07-23-2018 at 07:19 PM.
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Old 07-23-2018, 11:20 PM
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I really appreciate all the comments. I figured there would be a lot to it. I think I will just be satisfied with the way it was when it was my everyday drive 35 years ago. Thanks again!

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