71 wiper door wont open HELP!!!!

[Jeff M.]

ok, here we go again. The switch to turn on the wipers is functional. the wiper door will not open even when the under dash pull down switch is pulled down. I here a click when you slide the control lever to the on position. I am getting power to the switch. what do i do next? should the red wire going into the wiper motor have power, mine does not. the three prong wires going into the wiper has power on the yellow wire only. it is my understanding that the manual over ride should open the door at any time

[Bob Booth 33372]

Re: 71 wiper door wont open HELP!!!!

Jeff,

I am having the same problem with my '72. I don't know too much about the electrical end of it but I would check to see if you are getting proper vacuum to the actuator or even if the actuator is working. You can check this by hooking a vacuum line directly to the actuator inlet to see if the door opens (I used compressed air at VERY low pressure and it worked as well but in reverse). Also, you might want to check the actuator relay or the vacuum connections under the dash (gasp!).

I got a copy of the vacuum system troubleshooting guide and a vacuum gauge but haven't had a chance to work on it yet. Let me know if you find out what it is if you don't mind.

Good luck,

Bob Booth

[Bob Booth 33372]

Re: 71 wiper door wont open HELP!!!!Oops...

...sorry Jeff, I didn't see your previous message about the new actuator until I already posted the response. Did you try the actuator relay? You can temporarily replace it with a known-working one from the headlight doors to check it. My headlight doors weren't working and this turned out to be the problem.

Bob Booth

[John H.]

Re: 71 wiper door wont open HELP

As I recall, when all else fails, you can remove the rubber plug from the center of the actuator and push a blunt object in where the plug came out and mechanically force the door to open. Good luck.

[Bill D.]

Re: 71 wiper door wont open HELP!!!!

Jeff,

Sounds like a bad relay to the actuator. When you pull the override switch it signals the relay to change position from closed actuator vacuum to open actuator vacuum. An easy way to check the relay is to reverse the upper and lower large hoses (the center is the vacuum supply). If the wiper door opens, the relay is not switching. Reverse the lines and the door should close again. If the door does not move check for vaccum from the center supply line. Before condemning the relay, also try applying vacuum to the small signal port on top then release. If the relay does not respond, replace it.

The red wire on the motor gets power from the lockout switch mounted next to the actuator. This switch is closed by the wiper door arm when the door is fully opened. The power then flows to the motor. The click you here is the soleniod in the motor assembly going to the ready state and waiting for 12v on the red wire.

Hope this helps your diagnosis!!

Wild Bill