"GD" Wiper door and Linkage

[wallyknoch]

Does anyone have experience or knowledge relating to the removal of the wiper door linkage. Can it be done from the outside without going into the cockpit and under the dash. I have removed the grill and exposed whats underneath but the door is still attached. The problem is that the door will not move and I am under the impression that the contraption should be able to be operated manually. I covered it with PB stuff to no result but I dont want to remove more than necessary. And I prefer to remove nothing more but that does not appear to be the situation.

The electrical for the wipers wont work either and the door is up, not closed

PS, if important it`s a 1968 and has not been activated since parked in 1973.....

 

[bossvette]

I can move mine up and down manually, try disconnecting the cannister to elimenate that as a problem area. Thats an area I have to get into on my 68 the windshield wipers are disconnected and dont work. I suspect it may be a bad ground. I did get my door working without going into the interior but did not have to remove it to do so. I have been toying with the Idea of using linear activators to get rid of the vacuum canisters.

 

[fine69]

Yep. You can remove the whole thing from the top. I have mine out now.

One each side, there are two 3/8 nuts and retainer plate that fasten the wiper linkage to the cowl area; as well as two 3/8 nuts that fasten to the wiper door actuator bracket. Also on each side, there is also a 5/16 screw with (located on the bottom frame of the windshield)... remove all of these.

I unhooked the vacuum hoses, wipers, and wiper stop and then gently wiggled the linkage out of its home!

Ralph

 

[wallyknoch]

The vacuum can is removed and does work in and out. {Checked it with a vacuum pump a few days ago} Apparently I will have to remove the door at this point before I proceed any further. I saw the two plates at either side of the linkage with the 3/8`s nuts removable from the outside, fortunately but are they studs attached to the linkage? Hope so! However i`m a little concerned where the rest of those 3/8 nuts are hiding. Then a 5/16 screw? Where is that suprise hidden.

 

[fine69]

Yes, those 3/8 on the plates are connected to studs. The other 3/8 nuts are also connected to studs... they fasten the vaccum canister bracket to the wall and hold the linkage in place. For the 5/16 screws... when you open (or remove) the wiper door, look at the bottom of the windshield (corner), the screw is connected to the frame.

 

[wallyknoch]

One last ?

will I have to remove the wiper door from the linkage as its quite difficult to place on the rack with those hidden bolts. Would the door have been placed on the rack then assembled into the car originally? It takes time to do that and a assembly line would prefer to move fast and not slowed down by assembling a wiper door after the linkage was installed. just a observation..

 

[fine69]

Not sure how it was done originally, but I had to remove the wiper door to give enough room.

 

[6880 Mike]

Wally: do you have the '68 AIM? It would help. Wiper door and linkage can be removed as a unit from under the hood. FWIW: the mounts are usually shimmed at the cowl, so keep your original shim stacks together and mark them.

Opening and closing the wiper door is 100% vacuum from the cannister. Operation of the wipers themselves is electrical. As the wiper door opens, a plunger on the linkage contacts a switch on the cowl which turns the wipers on.

Just a guess, but I'm betting on the assembly line the painted wiper door was assembled to the linkage (shouldered bolts, etc) and linkage/door installed on the body as a unit.

 

[gmjunkie]

Wally: do you have the '68 AIM? It would help. Wiper door and linkage can be removed as a unit from under the hood. FWIW: the mounts are usually shimmed at the cowl, so keep your original shim stacks together and mark them.

Opening and closing the wiper door is 100% vacuum from the cannister. Operation of the wipers themselves is electrical. As the wiper door opens, a plunger on the linkage contacts a switch on the cowl which turns the wipers on.

Just a guess, but I'm betting on the assembly line the painted wiper door was assembled to the linkage (shouldered bolts, etc) and linkage/door installed on the body as a unit.

I Agree!! And the switch on the door mechanism just completes a Ground for the wiper motor!

 

[wallyknoch]

removing the 4 shouldered bolts to the wiper door for more room is logical. What is en lighting is that it may go back in with the door intact. The grill is easy but that damn door is not fun for larger hands. Unfortunately I do feel that there may be more discussion over this problem as something else could come up with my crazy luck.

Thank y6u gentlemen,....greatly appreciated.....

 

[bossvette]

Keep posting what you find, I have to get into mine some time soon.

 

[6880 Mike]

...removing the 4 shouldered bolts to the wiper door for more room is logical...

True, provided you can reach all four. Go slow; the wiper door is only pot metal and you can booger up the mounting threads if not careful. If memory serves, you should find a thin plastic washer with each bolt.

 

[wallyknoch]

Well I got the door off, 4 shouldered bolts with a 3/8 head. Actually easier than I thought it would be. The rack was approached with the 6 studs, one set at each end and the other set at the vacuum can. The limit switch was unfastened and the rack was free. It proved harder to remove due to its frozen position, it finally gave up with me on the drivers side getting past the blade linkage. I then found shims that were used on the end set of studs and i`ll put them back with the re-assembly. Three positions of monkey motion deeded to be addressed. Soaked the hell out of all of them and still way to difficult to move by any vacuum.

Need to get the wipers moving, all I got so far is a click from the wiper motor. Any ideas on what i`m missing. I dont know about where a ground for that motor lies even if that was necessary. That so called limit switch is not an electrical style as far as i can see.

The three switches under the dash is headlight by pulling down keeps them open. Park is in the center by rotating the switch either CCW or CW which i`m not sure the correct direction. The inside pull down is for the wiper door to remain in the open position. This I figured out. But the damn wipers wont cycle with the center dash switch above the gauges, any ideas?

 

[bossvette]

This is my understanding of wiper systems:

the power is supplied thru the limit switch; when the door is open the switch powers the wiper motor. The switch on the dash is a path to ground for the wiper motor and controls a relay that opens up the wiper door by vacuum.

when you turn on the wipers by the dash switch it creates a path to ground for the wiper motor and controls a relay which opens up the door by vacuum. when the door is fully open the "limit switch" closes and supplies the power to the wiper motor and the wipers should wipe. :W

like I said I have to dig into mine Its missing one of the switches (vacuum) under the dash and I hope the switch has a bad ground. I replaced the limit switch the wires were broken off but the wipers still don't work my door goes up and down by the wiper switch but little else happens

 

[6880 Mike]

...I replaced the limit switch the wires were broken off but the wipers still don't work...

Check to ensure the wiper override under the steering column (the one with the round knob (electrical), not either of the pull down vacuum switches) is not on. The override stops the wipers on the windshield to allow for blade changes, adjustments, etc.

 

[bossvette]

Check to ensure the wiper override under the steering column (the one with the round knob (electrical), not either of the pull down vacuum switches) is not on. The override stops the wipers on the windshield to allow for blade changes, adjustments, etc.

is that the one that if in the wrong spot will run the battery down over night

 

[wallyknoch]

I located the limit switch. What a micky mouse method to get the wipers to work. No wonder it was scrapped. I decided to attempt to get the wipers to cycle. It`s been so long {35 years} I forgot how to start this deal. I thought for a moment and turned the ignition on, nothing, I then went around to push on the limit switch button, the motor came to life and was cycling the blades. What a relief, the damn thing works. My rack is becoming more acceptable as far as free movement. Not quite ready for vacuum operation but getting there. Its turning out that i`m getting more respect for this damn car as most of its systems are still in relatively good condition with only minor problems left once this wiper deal is completely over. Not all the fiber optics are lite in the console

I thank each of you contributors out there for very good help

 

[gmjunkie]

Need to get the wipers moving, all I got so far is a click from the wiper motor. Any ideas on what i`m missing. I dont know about where a ground for that motor lies even if that was necessary. That so called limit switch is not an electrical style as far as i can see.

The three switches under the dash is headlight by pulling down keeps them open. Park is in the center by rotating the switch either CCW or CW which i`m not sure the correct direction. The inside pull down is for the wiper door to remain in the open position. This I figured out. But the damn wipers wont cycle with the center dash switch above the gauges, any ideas?

Wally, I have the Genuine Chevrolet Service manual on it,would you like me to copy all the pages of it in the wiper section and E mail them to you!! It's about 40 pages of Wiring,Vacuum Schematics and Photos!!It covers Camaro,Chevy Nova,Chevelle and Corvette!!

PS It may take me a little while to send them!!That would make a purdy big file!!But I'll scan it if you want it!!

Ps,Ps I've had this manual ever bit of 35 years!!!

 

[wallyknoch]

Thats a terrific offer and I thank you. And I actually think it`s over 40 pages. One of my GM friends brought me the exact same book. His remarks were emphatically dont lose it! :L It`s good but on the wiper linkage, forum members suggestions were better than the manual. But then the manual is for professionals on the job everyday not one timers searching through that big book like myself. I will say this, that the forum members responded very well answering my questions with valid answers and suggestions on a area unfamiliar to me and with great results.
thanks everone...

 

[gmjunkie]

Thats a terrific offer and I thank you. And I actually think it`s over 40 pages. One of my GM friends brought me the exact same book. His remarks were emphatically dont lose it! :L It`s good but on the wiper linkage, forum members suggestions were better than the manual. But then the manual is for professionals on the job everyday not one timers searching through that big book like myself. I will say this, that the forum members responded very well answering my questions with valid answers and suggestions on a area unfamiliar to me and with great results.
thanks everone...

I was meaning the section on the Wipers was 40 pages,The whole Book is a FAT one!!!!!