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I just had a master cylinder question answered so I know I am in the right place! A while back my wiper door began to pinch my wipers against the windshield when closing. Now the wipers will not move at all. The door will open fine the wipers are solid. I have checked the control switch and nothing changes. Here in PA we get an annual inspection and between no brakes and no wipers I will not get the car on the road anytime soon and I have already missed several cruises. I have purchased the vacuum switch that lies at the base of the passenger side wiper arm but have not yet installed it since the grill is held by 8 screws and if I turn them I know I will break the paint. Oh well. Can anyone help me? I am the second owner of the car and I have owned it for 23 years. Needless to say I have become emotionally attached. Thanks.
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You could benefit...
by having a copy of the '72 Chassis Service Manaul for your car. It's chock full of step by step R&R proceedures + textual thumbnails on how this/that sub-system of the car works. But, to your specific question.
You'll find there's method in madness as the wiper door and WSW motor systems are inter-related and coordinated. In order for the wiper system to shut down, the wipers have to first assume their 'park position' (an electrical function of the wiper motor) and THEN the wiper door can safely close (a vacuum function).
So, there's a wiper door vacuum relay switch mounted in the cowl (beneath the wiper door cover) that the RH (last to achieve park position) wiper arm hits when it assumes its park position. When the vacuum relay is activated, that's the signal for the wiper door to close.
You'll find the vacuum relay mounts in the cowl via two screws through elongated holes in the relay mounting tab. This allows you to 'fine tune' the park position and the start of the wiper door closing sequence. Sounds to me like your adjustment is 'off' if the wiper door is pinching the arm(s).... -
Re: You could benefit...
Jack,
This was a journey for me. I have the 1972 service manual and did use it. What happened was the vaccuum switch at the base of the right wiper deteriorated and the spring had come through the bellows. In the process of all this the wiper motor apparently burned out. So another trip to Corvette America and replaced both (not easy) with new seal, grommets, etc. I have the wipers working now but still occasionally they get caught by the door so need more fine tuning I guess. I am now opening the door with the dash switch, turn on wipers, shut them off, and close the door with dash switch again. There must be an art to this job. Thanks.
Mike
p.s. This is after heater hoses blew (original) and master cylinder failed after storage. Plus bad parts from major supplier. Oh the fun of it all.Comment
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Re: You could benefit...
Glad you're 'benefiting' from having a copy of the CSM to have/hold! Hey, it sounds like when it rains, it POURS for you...Comment
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Re: You could benefit...
Jack,
The wiper motor I removed from my 1972 was painted blue but had the assembly number for a 1969 stamped on it. Is it worth keeping this motor or returning it to Corvette America for the $30 exchange? Thanks for your opinion!
MikeComment
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Re: You could benefit...
Typically, wiper motors painted blue simply mean they were rebuilt and re-cycled through the NAPA system. Getting all of the blue paint off for a WSW motor to judge properly is time consuming, but it's not an 'impossible' chore.
The going rate for a used WSW motor at the local U-Pull-It scrap yard is $12. So, you're ahead on the $30 core fee that's offered.
I'm not familiar with WSW motors being 'stamped' with PN's... We typically look for an assy PN (with date code line) being affixed via a label on the motor. The Corvette WSW motor isn't 'special', it's the bolt-on washer assy that's different from passenger car applications.Comment
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Re: You could benefit...
Thank you again Jack! I have owned this car 22 years and I continually learn things about its parts and assembly. Since I bought it from the original owner in Mass (built 4/3/72). I have a fair amount of documentation on what was done to it. I really was in trouble with the wipers due to inspection in PA and found out a few things like the original 35 year old ribbed heater hoses and tower clamps were still in place prior to blowing. Unfortunately, I had to go with a standard Delco master cylinder since the original was gone and I couldn't document a PG or MK code. It does spite me to replace with parts that are not close to original but sometimes the situation dictates that choice. My days of upper flights are over I guess but I still am attached to the car.
MikeComment
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