I recently detailed the engine compartment on my '58 and in the beginning put in a battery disconnect switch so that I wouldn't have to keep pulling the battery cable. ( I think for safety sake they are also a good idea when parked in the garage). The project took me almost two months so the battery was disconnected the entire time. When I reconnected the battery and went to start the engine the wipers came on and will not go off unless I turn all power off. The switch was working fine prior to my project. I finally disconnected the brown power wire to the wiper motor and tucked it away safely but I am still stumped as to why it won't shut off. I think these are electric so there is no vacuum to be concerned with. Could I have somehow screwed up the switch or the workings under the hood during my project? Any ideas? Thanks.
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Sounds like one or more of the relays in the wiper motor controller may be stuck. Remove the cover and investigate. Unfortunately, I know of no readily avaliable source for which contacts are normally open and which are closed. If you have a friend with a straight axle you might want to compare. By the way, John Pirkle of generator rebuilding expertise recommends repolarizing the voltage regulator EVERY time you disconnect voltasge from the system.Founder - Carolinas Chapter NCRS -
Re: '58 wiper problem
Sounds like one or more of the relays in the wiper motor controller may be stuck. Remove the cover and investigate. Unfortunately, I know of no readily avaliable source for which contacts are normally open and which are closed. If you have a friend with a straight axle you might want to compare. By the way, John Pirkle of generator rebuilding expertise recommends repolarizing the voltage regulator EVERY time you disconnect voltasge from the system.Founder - Carolinas Chapter NCRSComment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Jim, Thanks for the quick response with my question. I learn something new everytime I get on here. I think you might be onto something when you mentioned the repolarizing because I did remove the voltage regulator during the detailing. My question is...how do you repolarize the system? Electricals have always baffled me. Thanks again.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Jim, Thanks for the quick response with my question. I learn something new everytime I get on here. I think you might be onto something when you mentioned the repolarizing because I did remove the voltage regulator during the detailing. My question is...how do you repolarize the system? Electricals have always baffled me. Thanks again.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Hi Gerry - Check out the archives under the search word "polarize". There are several posts from the 9-12 April time frame regarding this subject, some pro, some con. At any rate there is a good description by Chuck Gongloff on the procedure for polarizing a generator system. A worthwhile task and cheap insurance AND a necessity if you replace a regulator or generator. Good luck...DickComment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Hi Gerry - Check out the archives under the search word "polarize". There are several posts from the 9-12 April time frame regarding this subject, some pro, some con. At any rate there is a good description by Chuck Gongloff on the procedure for polarizing a generator system. A worthwhile task and cheap insurance AND a necessity if you replace a regulator or generator. Good luck...DickComment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Thanks guys for trying to help me with this strange wiper problem. I checked the archives for information on "polarizing" and it seems that there are differing opinions on whether or not you should have to do this each time you disconnect the battery. I too use the screw type disconnectors and wonder if that could be part of the problem. I can't see me repolarizing my generator each time I disconnect because I do this each time the car is not in use. Needless to say, reading some of the archived posts scares the s--t out of me. Any final thoughts on this? What if you follow the procedure and the generator in fact does not need to be repolarized? Would this damage anything? I hate to be a pain, but this concerns me. Thanks.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Thanks guys for trying to help me with this strange wiper problem. I checked the archives for information on "polarizing" and it seems that there are differing opinions on whether or not you should have to do this each time you disconnect the battery. I too use the screw type disconnectors and wonder if that could be part of the problem. I can't see me repolarizing my generator each time I disconnect because I do this each time the car is not in use. Needless to say, reading some of the archived posts scares the s--t out of me. Any final thoughts on this? What if you follow the procedure and the generator in fact does not need to be repolarized? Would this damage anything? I hate to be a pain, but this concerns me. Thanks.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Re-polarizing a generator, even if it doesn't need to be re-polarized should cause no harm. I've been working with generator equipped cars since 1960 and never had a problem with generator re-polarization.
By the way, have you tried raising the hood and manually sliding the wiper switch to the "OFF" position? I have a '60 Vette and every now and then this is a procedure I have to perform.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Re-polarizing a generator, even if it doesn't need to be re-polarized should cause no harm. I've been working with generator equipped cars since 1960 and never had a problem with generator re-polarization.
By the way, have you tried raising the hood and manually sliding the wiper switch to the "OFF" position? I have a '60 Vette and every now and then this is a procedure I have to perform.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Jim, thanks for response. Are you saying that you have never had to repolarize your generator in all of the years you have had them or are you saying that it is no problem in dealing with the procedure? Do you use a battery disconnect switch? If so, which type do you use? Yes, I have taken the cable that leads to the switch off to see if the stem is overextended and have also fiddled with the switch itself (back and forth). Anything else i should consider doing other than look deeper into the console switch itself? Thanks.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Jim, thanks for response. Are you saying that you have never had to repolarize your generator in all of the years you have had them or are you saying that it is no problem in dealing with the procedure? Do you use a battery disconnect switch? If so, which type do you use? Yes, I have taken the cable that leads to the switch off to see if the stem is overextended and have also fiddled with the switch itself (back and forth). Anything else i should consider doing other than look deeper into the console switch itself? Thanks.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Garry,
What I was attempting to say is that I have polarized/re-polarized generators many times. I have never experienced any adverse effects from re-polarizing a generator thet might not have needed it. I, myself, don't use a battery disconnect switch, so I don't feel any comments on a disconnect switch would be appropriate for me to make.
If manually working the switch on the motor, not the console, produced no results, then it is my belief that the internals of the wiper motor assembly should be checked out. Therefore, the console switch can be ruled out.
Mary Jo Rohner in Poway, CA (619)451-1933 or the folks at Corvette Specialties of Maryland (I don't remember their phone number, but they advertise in Hemmings Motor News) are both good people to contact about having your wiper motor assembly checked out.
Hope this helps.Comment
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Re: '58 wiper problem
Garry,
What I was attempting to say is that I have polarized/re-polarized generators many times. I have never experienced any adverse effects from re-polarizing a generator thet might not have needed it. I, myself, don't use a battery disconnect switch, so I don't feel any comments on a disconnect switch would be appropriate for me to make.
If manually working the switch on the motor, not the console, produced no results, then it is my belief that the internals of the wiper motor assembly should be checked out. Therefore, the console switch can be ruled out.
Mary Jo Rohner in Poway, CA (619)451-1933 or the folks at Corvette Specialties of Maryland (I don't remember their phone number, but they advertise in Hemmings Motor News) are both good people to contact about having your wiper motor assembly checked out.
Hope this helps.Comment
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