When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello Everyone!
I was finally able to make my dream a reality by purchasing a C3 Corvette. During my teen years the Corvette in production was the C3, and every time I told my friends "One day I am going to have a Corvette" the model that came to mind was the C3. I finally have my dream car, but as with every 40+ years car, it has some issues, although I believe they are all minor. The first order of business are the wipers. Problem: Wipers work in the slow and high speeds, but in order for them to move I have to play sliding the wiper control switch up and down until I find the sweet spot and they start working. I don't intent to take my Vette out in the rain, but as a Texas resident the vehicle needs to pass inspection. I don't think is the motor, because as stated before the wipers do work, I can hear the relay clicking while I am sliding the wiper control switch up and down, and once the wipers start moving I no longer hear the relay. I am inclined to thing that the issue is in the wiper control switch itself, but I could be wrong and you guys out there know much more about Corvettes than I will ever know. Could some one please point me in the right direction to get the issue fixed? Is the issue being caused by the relay or the wiper control switch? If caused by the wiper control switch, could some one explain to me how to get it replaced, preferably with step instructions? I am very happy with my Corvette, but I really need to get this wiper issue solved soon, so the vehicle can pass inspection and I can get it registered in my name.
Thank you all!
Which year C3 do you have?
The earlier models ('68-'76) have a center gauge bezel that has a very weak point below the wiper switch. The deal is that the switch itself must be grounded to work and that ground comes through the bezel. With the break, it may not have a continuous, reliable ground path. If you have this style and it's broken, but don't want to replace the bezel, some folks have run a ground wire between the top and bottom sections.
Last edited by barkingrats; Dec 30, 2023 at 11:30 PM.
Nothing in the post about year of the car. Looked into his profile. Nothing at all about his car.
OP. They built C3 Corvette's from 1968-1982.
There were a lot of changes over all those years. My wiper switch is on my turn signal lever on the column.
Yours maybe different.
It does sound like a switching issue however.
The wiper motor gets power all the time. The switch allows it to ground.
Thank you all for the information great provided. I just completed my forum profile today. My Vette is a 1979. Provided that the problem is being caused by the wiper control switch, could someone provide me with instructions on how to replace it? I searched Google and Youtube, but was not able to find a video addressing the wiper issue for a 78 or 79. Lots of wiper troubleshooting videos for 1968 through 1976, but really nothing for later models. I appreciate all the help that you guys can give me!
Happy New Year!
Get a can of contact cleaner that is safe on plastic and test it somewhere that won't hurt anything... With the car off, spray a little in the slot for the switch and exercise the lever up and down 6-12 times... Then leave it on high speed and spray it again... Very common issue on that vintage car and especially since the wipers are often rarely used... Mine did not work when I got it, after cleaning it's been fine and I test it a few times a year...
Hello and thanks again for all the helpful information provided. I followed 1860army instructions and the wipers are working good now. Post #130 is a wealth of information with great pictures which I am saving in the event I need to refer to it in the future. Thanks to all of you, I was able to get the Vette inspected and registered in the state of Texas.
Wiper Control
