69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

[Marc N.]

JUST PUT UP MY HEADLIGHTS TO CLEAN THEM FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE BUYING THIS CAR A YEAR AGO ( I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND DONT DRIVE IT AT NIGHT) AND TO MY SURPRISE, I FOUND A SMALL NOZZLE ON EACH LIGHT FOR SPRAYING WATER ON THE LENS....WAS THIS A DEALER INSTALL OR A FACTORY OPTION....NEVER SAW IT ON THESE CARS...PLEAS ADVISE AND THANKS

MARC

[Tony Merendino]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

Please remove the caps lock when typing. It means you are shouting.

Headlight washers were standard equipment on Corvettes for several years. I believe from 1968 to early 1971. They were also evidenced by the 5 port washer pump. 2 ports for the headlights, 2 for the windshield and one to bring water to the pump.

Be careful before using and make sure you lubricate and prime the pump. Check the archives as there are several threads devoted to it. I am still trying to get mine working.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

Tony and Marc----

Yes, the headlight washers were standard equipment on Corvettes beginning in 1969 and continuing through sometime in 1971. They were not used for 1968 or for 1972 and later. The 70 and 71 models (for 71, those which had the washers only) used a "5 port" washer pump----2 ports were for the headlight washers. The 1969 model year was unique in that it used a "3 port" pump with a "splitter" solenoid which was mounted on the left (driver's) side of the pump.

Sometime during the 1971 model year the headlight washers were dropped. Mercifully. This was another one of those "whiz bang", idiotic ideas that served more for marketing purposes than for functionality. Even when they're working (which is not often) they're very ineffective at cleaning the headlamps.

The one thing that the headlamp washers do now, though, is to make PV very difficult for owners of cars originally equipped with them. This will be an increasing problem as time goes on and the components of the system become unserviceable. No "5 port" washer pump parts are available and the 1969-only "splitter valve" is not available. Unless someone "steps up to the plate" and reproduces the necessary parts, someday it may be impossible for 69-71 owners to PV their cars-----for want of a functional, but otherwise absolutely useless, headlamp washer system.

[David N.]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

Joe,

My 1969 does not have a 3 port washer pump and "splitter valve" but it does have the 5 port washer pump. Build date is April of '69. As far as I can tell it is the original ww motor and washer.
Just my 2 cents worth.
David Nims member #19639

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

David------

I've never heard of a 1969 model that had the "5 port" pump. I suppose that it's possible that it was some kind of experimental thing. My September, 1969-built car has the "3 port" with "splitter valve".

[Klaus Friedrich #33362]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

David,

I own a 69 convertible built on F02 (#12048) and it has the 3 port pump with splitter valve, which is broken.

I'll try to restorate it this winter. I'll got the intension to write an article in the Restorer about it (if my English is good enough or someone will help me writing).

Greetings from Germany
Klaus #33362

[Tom S.]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

Joe
My 69 has the splitter and 3 way valve. It was built in Feb. of 69.The washers do work, not very well though.

Tom Stanton

[Chuck S.]

Re: 69 CORVETTE HEADLIGHT SPRAYER

David, examine the motor housing carefully for a small, retangular, silver foil label with the wiper motor build date. This may be quite a trick if the foil label is on the firewall side of the motor housing.

If the label is present, and the date precedes your car's build date, it is original. BTW, the three port pump is not as rare as the five port, and is therefore easier to replace. Five port pumps cost an arm and leg if you can find one.