New C3 owner on a shakedown drive was caught a brief rain shower this morning.
Slid the wiper switch button one position to the right. The wiper door opened and the wipers started working. After 2 cycles everything stopped. Luckily so did the rain.

The vacuum seems ok since I am able to close and open the door using the button under the steering column. However the wipers will not work using the wiper switch. Turning the wiper override switch I can see a draw in the volt meter but nothing else.

Any thoughts on what might be the issue here? Bad wiper switch? Fuse? Interesting that I see volt meter fluctuate when I cycle the wiper override switch.

Thanks in advance,
Robby

 

go to the Willcox trouble shooting pagefor wiper motors. The vacuum is just for the door and shouldnt havve anything to do with the wiper working. theres a lot things off the top of my head that could have failed including the switch....

1. motors dead
2. wiper switch is dead...fail often but can be cleaned and sometimes will work
3. fuse is blown
4. door open solenoid failed
5. motor relay has failed
6. ground failed
7. power wire failed
8. motor over ride is open or has failed

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/category/wiper/
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/1...er-motor-test/

the bench test can be performed while in the car

 

Rainex!

 

When my wipers stopped working, I checked the wiper door limit switch to make sure it was pushed in. It was, so next I checked for voltage on the connector with the 2 red wires. Nothing, so I went to the wiper override switch. With the switch turned in the clockwise position, I had battery on one side, nothing on the other. Took the switch apart and cleaned the contacts, put it back in and wipers worked.
Hope you find your problem.

 

Thanks for your inputs and suggestions.

Here's an update:
1. Check the fuse - its good
2. Watch the bench test from Willcox
I here no clicking sound from the relay when I turn on the wiper from the wiper switch. So I decided to take the switch apart.
The contact points were covered with old grease and stuff. After wiping everything down I was able to get the switch to clearly click from Off to Low and High.
Reinstalled the switch. This time when I moved the wiper switch the wiper door opened but the wipers are still not moving. I checked the wiper door limit switch and the plunger had depressed the button as it should with the door in the opened position.
Again toggling the wiper override switch I can see the draw on the volt meter. Is this normal? Are you seeing this on your car?
I know the previous owner replaced the wiper motor less than a year ago. I saw the receipts. So I don't think the motor is bad.

So this what I know so far:
1. Wiper switch is working - by the fact that the wiper opened when I use the switch
2. The wiper door limit mechanism is working since the button is pushed in. Need to get a volt meter to check if the limit button is actually working.
3. Assuming the Wiper override is working since I can see a power draw when toggling it.
I think this is now pointing to the relay. What is the best way to check if the relay is working?

Did Rube Goldberg designed this wiper system? Imagine a mechanical plunger pressing a button indicating the door is opened and telling the motor you can start wiping now.
Btw, 71 Green 454, that's one clean engine bay.

Stay tune,
Robby

 

I would still complete the wiper test. Just because the motor is new doesnt mean it couldnt be bad, especially now a days. I cant attest to the clicking, i have a 68 and the wiper system is slightly more bizarre. THere might be a relay test on the Willcox site

 

here ya go.. Reading the procedure I noted that the switch provides ground. You should make sure the switch is grounded well. If your gauge bezel is cracked then you may nit be getting a good ground. I ran a seperate wire from the switch to the birdacage under the dash
http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/?...per+relay+test

 

Thanks, but that one is Alan71's that I saved, his entire car looks like that photo.
Be sure to check the output voltage from the wiper limit switch to verify you have voltage to the wiper motor.

 

Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions. There are several threads on wipers lately. Seems to be a common issue.

Anyway here is a quick update on my issue:
1. Bought a new wiper switch last weekend while at Carlisle. Installed it last night and the wipers still not working.
2. When switched on, the wiper door opened but that is it.
3. Jumping the connection from the switch I can hear the relay clicking in the center console.
4. The wiper door limit button is pressed and working. I verified it by checking the continuity at the connector.
5. Toggling the wiper cutoff (switch under the steering column) doesn't do anything except showing a draw in the volt meter when on.
6. Shutting off the wiper at the switch does not park or close the wiper door.

So I think the vacuum, wiper switch, relay, wiper door limit switch and wiper over-ride are working. Now I have to check the wiper motor.
This might be a project for this coming long weekend.

Any suggestions out there on the best way to get to wiper motor and how to test it?

Thanks,
Robby

 

That PART of the engine bay (imagining the rest like that as well, sheesh) looks BRAND NEW! Wow....I don't mean to hyjack the thread as I'm diagnosing my wiper situation similar to yours, but if that part of the engine bay looks like that, I'd love to see the rest.

 

IF the ammeter is moving when you turn it off/on- the wiper motor itself is locked up- or the wiper linkage.

I'd first disconnect the wiper linkage- see if the motor will move.

If not- you'll probably have to pull the motor out and go through it.

Richard

 

I confess to forgetting the symptoms... It's quite easy to connect the wiper connector to the switch backwards. DAMHIKT.

If you push the 'button' as to activate the windshield wash function, anything happen?

And, as Scott mentioned, check grounds!