Wiper motor? Switch? Both?
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From: Orlando FL
Wiper motor? Switch? Both?
Well, I've only had my 78 since October 2017, but driving it daily has revealed a number of problems that weren't quite as visible in the 20+ years it was kept garaged and driven only on weekends. A few of these problems have to do with driving it in the rain. When I first got the car, the wipers worked as they were intended, including the delay function. Months later, they now only operate at one speed, regardless of the switch position. However, when the switch is in the delay position, the wipers raise on to the windshield and stop altogether.
There could be a few issues here, first of which is the wiper motor. I was playing with it to see if it might be the cause of my problems, and it seems to move both faster and smoother when I assist its motion with my hand. Another issue I'm having is when I turn off the wipers. When the wiper arms lower and attempt to park, they begin to bounce up and down by about two inches. They'll sometimes continue this behavior for upwards of ten minutes. I believe I've heard something about a parking switch located behind the motor cover, but I haven't opened it up to inspect it yet.
The switch is also a possible cause. When I actuate the switch to different positions, a clicking sound is audible (Relay?) and sometimes can be heard intermittently during wiper operation. Some of the switch functions work, including the washer pump, but the delay, low, and high functions do not appear to be working as intended. I've tried turning the **** while in the delay position to see if it has any effect, but it does not.
I've also read on the forum somewhere about the little piece of cardboard circuitry attached to the fuse box, which apparently has something to do with the delay wipers. If this does impact the delay functionality, it could very well be my problem, too. Mine isn't in great condition; it looks like it was mistakenly folded in half at some point, and it's wrapped in electrical tape. According to the thread I was reading, these little things are notorious for breaking, and aren't easy to come by. To be honest, I don't even know if it has anything to do with the wipers.
So, I guess my question to you guys is: where should I focus my time and money to restore the functionality of the wipers? I'd be happy to attach any pictures or post more information as needed.
EDIT: If it helps, my blades skip and chatter across the winshield, but that may be an unrelated problem to the electrical issues I'm having.
There could be a few issues here, first of which is the wiper motor. I was playing with it to see if it might be the cause of my problems, and it seems to move both faster and smoother when I assist its motion with my hand. Another issue I'm having is when I turn off the wipers. When the wiper arms lower and attempt to park, they begin to bounce up and down by about two inches. They'll sometimes continue this behavior for upwards of ten minutes. I believe I've heard something about a parking switch located behind the motor cover, but I haven't opened it up to inspect it yet.
The switch is also a possible cause. When I actuate the switch to different positions, a clicking sound is audible (Relay?) and sometimes can be heard intermittently during wiper operation. Some of the switch functions work, including the washer pump, but the delay, low, and high functions do not appear to be working as intended. I've tried turning the **** while in the delay position to see if it has any effect, but it does not.
I've also read on the forum somewhere about the little piece of cardboard circuitry attached to the fuse box, which apparently has something to do with the delay wipers. If this does impact the delay functionality, it could very well be my problem, too. Mine isn't in great condition; it looks like it was mistakenly folded in half at some point, and it's wrapped in electrical tape. According to the thread I was reading, these little things are notorious for breaking, and aren't easy to come by. To be honest, I don't even know if it has anything to do with the wipers.
So, I guess my question to you guys is: where should I focus my time and money to restore the functionality of the wipers? I'd be happy to attach any pictures or post more information as needed.
EDIT: If it helps, my blades skip and chatter across the winshield, but that may be an unrelated problem to the electrical issues I'm having.
Last edited by EP1978; Jul 24, 2018 at 01:16 PM. Reason: Additional Information
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Well, I've only had my 78 since October 2017, but driving it daily has revealed a number of problems that weren't quite as visible in the 20+ years it was kept garaged and driven only on weekends. A few of these problems have to do with driving it in the rain. When I first got the car, the wipers worked as they were intended, including the delay function. Months later, they now only operate at one speed, regardless of the switch position. However, when the switch is in the delay position, the wipers raise on to the windshield and stop altogether.
There could be a few issues here, first of which is the wiper motor. I was playing with it to see if it might be the cause of my problems, and it seems to move both faster and smoother when I assist its motion with my hand. Another issue I'm having is when I turn off the wipers. When the wiper arms lower and attempt to park, they begin to bounce up and down by about two inches. They'll sometimes continue this behavior for upwards of ten minutes. I believe I've heard something about a parking switch located behind the motor cover, but I haven't opened it up to inspect it yet.
The switch is also a possible cause. When I actuate the switch to different positions, a clicking sound is audible (Relay?) and sometimes can be heard intermittently during wiper operation. Some of the switch functions work, including the washer pump, but the delay, low, and high functions do not appear to be working as intended. I've tried turning the **** while in the delay position to see if it has any effect, but it does not.
I've also read on the forum somewhere about the little piece of cardboard circuitry attached to the fuse box, which apparently has something to do with the delay wipers. If this does impact the delay functionality, it could very well be my problem, too. Mine isn't in great condition; it looks like it was mistakenly folded in half at some point, and it's wrapped in electrical tape. According to the thread I was reading, these little things are notorious for breaking, and aren't easy to come by. To be honest, I don't even know if it has anything to do with the wipers.
So, I guess my question to you guys is: where should I focus my time and money to restore the functionality of the wipers? I'd be happy to attach any pictures or post more information as needed.
EDIT: If it helps, my blades skip and chatter across the winshield, but that may be an unrelated problem to the electrical issues I'm having.
There could be a few issues here, first of which is the wiper motor. I was playing with it to see if it might be the cause of my problems, and it seems to move both faster and smoother when I assist its motion with my hand. Another issue I'm having is when I turn off the wipers. When the wiper arms lower and attempt to park, they begin to bounce up and down by about two inches. They'll sometimes continue this behavior for upwards of ten minutes. I believe I've heard something about a parking switch located behind the motor cover, but I haven't opened it up to inspect it yet.
The switch is also a possible cause. When I actuate the switch to different positions, a clicking sound is audible (Relay?) and sometimes can be heard intermittently during wiper operation. Some of the switch functions work, including the washer pump, but the delay, low, and high functions do not appear to be working as intended. I've tried turning the **** while in the delay position to see if it has any effect, but it does not.
I've also read on the forum somewhere about the little piece of cardboard circuitry attached to the fuse box, which apparently has something to do with the delay wipers. If this does impact the delay functionality, it could very well be my problem, too. Mine isn't in great condition; it looks like it was mistakenly folded in half at some point, and it's wrapped in electrical tape. According to the thread I was reading, these little things are notorious for breaking, and aren't easy to come by. To be honest, I don't even know if it has anything to do with the wipers.
So, I guess my question to you guys is: where should I focus my time and money to restore the functionality of the wipers? I'd be happy to attach any pictures or post more information as needed.
EDIT: If it helps, my blades skip and chatter across the winshield, but that may be an unrelated problem to the electrical issues I'm having.
1973-1982 Wiper Motor Testing.
If the motor runs the same during this test then you'll have a good idea it's the motor.... if it works as described.. next I'd check the wiper switch. It's easy to pull and instructions are on my tech site. Instructions on testing the switch are shown below once it's removed
If you find the switch is to be the issue and I highly advise you to just rebuild it over using the imported junk switch.... go to this link and it'll tell you how to rebuild the switch.
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...tch-repair.pdf
And if you go further into the switch, not covered in the article above is instructions on how to take apart the delay pot built inside the switch.
After you have checked the switch... then I'd move to the delay module inside the center shift console housing.. Unfortunately I've not torn into one of these in years. I can build one but a really good reproduction is available on my site. My advice is to start with the motor and work your way backwards. Rebuilt motors for your car are pretty cheap so messing with a park switch to me isn't worth the time any longer.... But I don't think that is your issue.
https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...l-module-78-79
Willcox
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Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 24, 2018 at 08:02 PM.
