78 wiper switch with delay or not
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
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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.
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.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
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.
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
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.
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
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.
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.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
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.
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.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 23, 2018 at 07:19 PM.
