Electrial Wows!

[Joe Steck]

In attempting to get my 5 year resto project on the road I have run into a couple of snags.
1. My left side headlights don't work (Hi or Low Beam). Yes the T-3's have been tested and work fine. The door opens and close just fine on both sides. The right side lights but no left. The left front parking brake is also very dim when lite. Could this be a ground problem?

2. The newly rebuilt wiper moter just clicks! I have remove my switch and jumpered the connection and all it does is click. No rotation. This was rebuilt by a reliable company. Could this also be a wiring problem? I do not look forward to the fun job of removing it.

I hope someone can head me in the right direction.

[William C.]

Re: Electrial Wows!

First, did you replace all the wiring harnesses, or are we working with the old ones here? Regardless, check all the grounds, especially the ground wire that goes under the starter bolt. It is the right size and length for it to accidently get attached to the starter solenoid. The headlamp connections from the foreword lamp harness to the headlamp jumper harnesses are a typcal trouble point, the terminals should be clean and have good force between the terminals. Grounds at the Rad support and the headlamp bar use star washers between the ring terminal and the metal, not against the terminal and the bolt. The star washer is to break thru the paint on the metal surface. Check those and see how you make out.

[Joe Steck]

Re: Electrial Woews!

Thanks for your assist! I due have a ground attached to the starter bolt. Is this the only one or should there be another. I will ref the assembly book to double check. SPECIAL NOTE: Will these grounding problems fix my wiper motor also since now it just makes that clicking noise. I have removed my glove box and disconnect the wiper linkage to see if it was binding. Everything seems to be free.

Thanks again for your assist!

[William C.]

Re: Electrial Woews!

There is a pretty complete process for checking ou the wiper motor in the service manual, probably better than could be explained here. You may also want to contact the rebuilder as he likely has experience with similar situations.

[Joe Steck]

Re: Electrial Woews!

I have contacted the rebuilder and he told me the problem is usually a grounding problem when you get just a Clicking Noise. Does this take into count the grounding straps located around the body or just the one's directly with the unit. I may have to give him another call. I did use the original wiring harnesses during restoration because they were in excellent shape. Might have to go jiggle some connections.

Thanks

[John H.]

Re: Electrial Woews!

Joe -

GM wiper motor circuits require that the wiper switch itself be grounded (through its attachment to the cluster) in order to operate; if you have the switch loose from the cluster or the cluster isn't grounded, the wipers won't work.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Electrial Woews!

The wire that grounds the wiper is the same as grounds the heater fan motor and it goes directly down and grounds at the starter bolt. 99% of the time that is the problem. You can make a simple and easy check just by touching a wire to the wiper case and to some good ground. The wiper will work.