window wipers

[jmp]

I put my instrument panel back together after replacing my clock and now I'm having problems with my window wipers.

When I started the car for the first time after putting everything back together, the wiper door opened and the wipers partially "deployed". I believe the wiper switch was 'on'. When I turn the switch to 'off', the door closes but the wipers themselves don't "retract" -- they seem stuck halfway out.

Turning the wipers on again just opens the door -- the wipers still don't move.

The switch connector has three leads, but I don't know how they work/what they're used for. The two end leads have power -- 12 or 14 volts, but the middle lead doesn't. Does that mean anything?

 

[a69vette]

Do you have the control switch located under the steering column? With my '69 you can stop the wipers in any position once they have been started.

Rick

 

[jmp]

Yes... and maybe no.

There's three controls: the one for the headlights and one for the wiper doors, both work. The middle dial is supposed to stop the wipers, correct? Well I'm not convinced that has ever worked. I tried it out when I first got the car and it seemed to do nothing. However, thinking back on it now I'm not sure I tested it correctly -- I think I had though it should manually start the wipers, not stop them when they were started.

At any rate, I tried turning that dial when this latest problem occurred and nothing happened.

----

I'm kind of electrically rusty, so tracking down electrical problems is a pain for me. If someone can tell me what I should test for (and where), I'd be grateful.

 

[a69vette]

I'd rather turn a wrench than find an electrical issue! Sorry that was my only thought. How about? Do you have continuity thru the dial switch?

 

[a69vette]

Try this link for the CAC Knowledgebase Center. http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=53

 

[jmp]

Thanks! I don't suppose you know where the figures are, do you?

I did notice something interesting:

A rotary Service switch mounted under the dash in steering column area is used to stop the wiper blades in a serviceable position on the windshield. This switch should never be left open for more than short service periods because it does not allow the motor to come to a park position. This can result in a dead battery even with the igntion switch turned off.

My battery dies if I don't drive the car for a month or so -- I still have to check the battery, 'cause it could just be a dead battery, but I was thinking that I might have an electrical drain somewhere. Since I've never successfully gotten the dial to work, I don't know which position is 'off' and which is 'on'. Do you know if clockwise or counter-clockwise is off?

 

[a69vette]

Give me a couple of minutes and I'll fire mine up, and I'll let you know.

Rick

 

[a69vette]

The clockwise rotation of your hand will turn the wipers on. If you rotate your "hand" counterclockwise it should stop the wipers.
Good luck.

Rick

 

[Gary42]

My battery dies if I don't drive the car for a month or so -- I still have to check the battery, 'cause it could just be a dead battery, but I was thinking that I might have an electrical drain somewhere. Since I've never successfully gotten the dial to work, I don't know which position is 'off' and which is 'on'. Do you know if clockwise or counter-clockwise is off?

My '72 has the same problem. Didn't know that when I bought the car, of course. However, the first time I let the car sit for a week without driving it, I was greeted by a dead battery. Now I know why the battery had a quick disconnect on one of the terminals. I unscrew it if I plan on leaving the car sit for more than a couple of days.

As for the wipers, I have problems there, too. When I test-drove the car, the wipers and vacuum system were one of the first things I checked. They worked fine for the first month or so, but they no longer work. The vacuum door operates, but no wiper motion. Since I don't drive the car in the rain, it's not critical, but I'd like to know what the problem is. However, I'm not willing to remove the dash to check the switch. Too much work. Actually, I suupose it could also be the interrupt switch under the steering column that's giving the problem.

 

[a69vette]

I would think that if you had an ohm-meter you could test thru the switch. You should have an open or closed reading. If open...should be the problem. If closed....keep on looking.

Rick

 

[jmp]

Gary42,

Removing the dash to check the wiper switch is really, really easy. Let me see if I can recall exactly...

It's best to remove the map pocket part of the dash first. To do this, remove the three screws on the front and the one or two screws on the right side -- open the car door to access. Then just pull it right outta there.

Reach in behind the center instrument panel and remove the... uh.. is harness the right word?... for the wiper switch. Just pull straight back -- it should come off easily.

Now you can remove just the wiper switch portion of the center console. There are 3 screws pointing up into either the dash (this screw is located just to the right of the wiper switch and at the 'front' of the console) or into the rest of the instrument panel (these two screws are further 'back' and at the right and left edges. The wiper switch is part of the instrument panel that can be separated from the rest of the guages.

Now, there maybe two more screws just under the word 'Corvette' on the instrument panel, but I can't recall if these have to be removed in order to remove the wiper switch.

 

[jmp]

Rick,

Uh, which switch are you suggesting we should test? The wiper switch or the 'keep open' dial? I'm confused -- too many switches!!!

 

[a69vette]

The interupt switch (dial).

 

[ChuckG]

The wiper switch in the gauge bezel, the "wiper on/off, washer" switch has to be grounded too. If your bezel is broken at the thin area, like many are, there is no ground to the switch itself. I'd check that. Also, check to see that when the wiper door is open, that the switch under the hood is depressed. Finally, I'd check the vacuum wiper "park" switch under the passengers wiper arm. Also, check the ground to the wiper motor itself under the hood. Chuck

 

[jmp]

Well, I finally got around to checking out my wipers again, and I still haven't been able to fix 'em.

I tried wiring the wiper motor up directly (bypassing the switch) and it still didn't work. Now this may mean the motor is shot, but I was unable to figure out how to bypass the 'limiter' (rotory dial under the steering wheel). An article in the knowledge base tells you how to do this, but it refers to pics which are not available. So, the problem could be the limiter.

However, I did test the voltage at the rotary dial and this is what I found: no voltage if the key is not in and turned to ACC; 12V when the key is in an the dial is turned... uh... counterclockwise, IIRC; no voltage when the dial is turned the other way. This is true for both wires coming from the switch.

The problem could also be with the ground at the wiper motor. I tried grounding what I thought was the right lead to the engine block and nothing happened, so this is probably OK.

Now, ChuckG mentioned a few things:
The switch under the hood IS depressed.
The park switch is NOT depressed.
I'm not sure about the ground for the actual switch though. Is there a fourth wire for the ground? There is a fourth wire that is connected to the bolt which holds the switch to the console, but that wire has been snipped and goes nowhere. I did try grounding, though, by extending that wire to a ground, but, again, no change.

I'm going to have take the car in to the shop, I think, to at least get them to track down the wiring problem(s) (I also have a problem with the seatbelt warning light and the horn.)

 

[jmp]

forgot to mention...

When I attempt to turn on the wipers and when I wired the wiper motor up by bypassing the switch, I hear a clicking sound from the motor (I think). Just one click every time I move the switch or everytime I grounded the #1 or #3 leads (see the Knowledgebase link for more info on bypassing the switch to test the motor).

Does this mean anything?

 

[jmp]

I had the wipers checked out -- turns out it is the wiper motor. The problem now is that my mechanic can't find a supplier with a motor.

Ecklers appears to have rebuilt motors (my mech doesn't deal with Ecklers), so I'll try ordering one from them, I guess.

Thanks for all the help....

 

[ChuckG]

Glad you found your problem. You could have your wiper motor rebuilt. Several companies can do this, IF originality is of concern to you.

I'm not 100% sure of this, but if your 72 uses the "5 port" pump, the pump with the provision for headlight washers, these are tough to come by. I'm not sure you can buy a direct replacement. Chuck

 

[jmp]

I'll have to look into the type of motor, then, I guess. However, I believe it has been replaced previously -- I have some receipts from previous owners, and 'replaced wiper motor' was on one of them, IIRC.