1969 C3 Wiper Issue

[Salvatore I.]

New issue with the wipers...when the dash switch is turned on, the wiper door opens but the wiper motor does not operate. The wipers do not move. When I pull the manually operated switch under the steering column (right side pull), the wiper door opens as expected. The vacuum side of the mechanism seems to be fully operational....

Looking for step by step guidance on how to troubleshoot this issue? I do not see any loose connections...Do I start at the fuse box?

Any guidance is appreciated.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 C3 Wiper Issue

By chance have you turned the switch with the round knob on??

[Verle R.]

Re: 1969 C3 Wiper Issue

Do as Dick suggested to test the wipers.

If that works, a common problem is the switch is not well grounded. It is good practice to install a wire from the switch to the bird cage for ground.

Verle

[Jack H.]

Re: 1969 C3 Wiper Issue

The 1969 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual provides a nice tutorial on the wiper door system. Basically, it works this way:

(1) By flipping the WSW switch on the center console, you actuate a solenoid mounted to the back of the tach that allows vac to flow and open the wiper door.

(2) When the wiper door opens, it makes mechanical contact with a microswitch in the engine compartment allowing electricity to flow to the wiper motor. There are adjustments for this switch to define when the wiper door is fully open...

(3) Under the steering column there are two bypass switches that are discussed in the owners manual. The pull-down switch is a vac over-ride to force the wiper door open or stay open (handy feature when you're driving in light mist conditions). The switch with the round plastic handle turns to open circuit power to the WSW motor. This allows you to stop the motor and replace WSW blades.

As Dick said, if the round switch has been left in its over-ride position, the wiper motor will NOT start because it's been denied power... If that's not the case, then the microswitch is defective or mis-aligned, power wires to the WSW motor are loose/defective or the wiper motor lacks proper ground (remember it bolts to the fiberglass firewall!)...

[Salvatore I.]

Re: 1969 C3 Wiper Issue

Thanks everyone....I will approach the problem as advised and let you know if there remains an issue...