1958 Wiper and washer

[Susan G.]

Hi All,

My wiper washers when you push the switch button will spray, but will not start the wipers going back and forth on high or low speed. The wipers will work using the switch if I turn the switch manually. Both speeds work and it shuts off manually. What adjustment do I need to make to have the wipers come on following the washer spray. All my parts are new or freshly re built.

Thanks Susan

[Dan B.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

The movement of the wipers in conjunction with the washers is controlled by the wiper coordinator that sits a top the motor switch on the motor. It needs to be able to hold a vacuum from the source which is what moves it to turn on the wipers. Check to see if it is holding pressure and observe it to see if it is moving when you press the washer button (engine running). If it moves, you should be able to adjust it to get the motor to turn on. If not, you may have a bad coordinator diaphragm or other vacuum related problem. Good luck, these can be finicky especially if they don't run for a while. Dan

[Susan G.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

The movement of the wipers in conjunction with the washers is controlled by the wiper coordinator that sits a top the motor switch on the motor. It needs to be able to hold a vacuum from the source which is what moves it to turn on the wipers. Check to see if it is holding pressure and observe it to see if it is moving when you press the washer button (engine running). If it moves, you should be able to adjust it to get the motor to turn on. If not, you may have a bad coordinator diaphragm or other vacuum related problem. Good luck, these can be finicky especially if they don't run for a while. Dan

Hi Dan - I have vacuum. The adjustment you refer to above is it the cable adjustment on top of the wiper motor you are referring to or another place? Thanks Susan

[Frank D.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

Having vacuum and having a coordinator that works are two different things.

Yes - this is my '61. If your '58 is the same then the red arrow is the adjustment for the coordinator. As stated if the diaphragm is bad it won't work. Jay Maxwell of Capital Restorations in Gaithersburg, MD repairs these (I think my rebuild was $80).

If the coordinator is good and cable adjusted properly you should see the piece slide when you push the dash button.

The NUMBER of times the wipers operate after a washing spray (drying wipes its called) is an adjustment at the pump on top of the fluid reservoir...

Adjustment procedures for our style later Trico systems are at the BOTTOM of the attached PDF document under the "Motor Coupler/Coordinator" section.

[Dan B.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

Hi Dan - I have vacuum. The adjustment you refer to above is it the cable adjustment on top of the wiper motor you are referring to or another place? Thanks Susan

Susan, does the coordinator move when the washer button is depressed? It needs to be able to slide. Can you post a picture of that area on the wiper motor? There is also a white plastic adapter that connects the coordinator to the motor slider. I am wondering if you may be missing that.

[Susan G.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

Susan, does the coordinator move when the washer button is depressed? It needs to be able to slide. Can you post a picture of that area on the wiper motor? There is also a white plastic adapter that connects the coordinator to the motor slider. I am wondering if you may be missing that.

Hi Dan,
I have the white slide and the co-ordinator. When the wipers spray the co-ordinator tries to move (it almost jumps) and it does not move forward. Does that indicate the co coordinator is not working?

[Susan G.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

Having vacuum and having a coordinator that works are two different things.

Yes - this is my '61. If your '58 is the same then the red arrow is the adjustment for the coordinator. As stated if the diaphragm is bad it won't work. Jay Maxwell of Capital Restorations in Gaithersburg, MD repairs these (I think my rebuild was $80).

If the coordinator is good and cable adjusted properly you should see the piece slide when you push the dash button.

The NUMBER of times the wipers operate after a washing spray (drying wipes its called) is an adjustment at the pump on top of the fluid reservoir...

Adjustment procedures for our style later Trico systems are at the BOTTOM of the attached PDF document under the "Motor Coupler/Coordinator" section.

Hi Frank,

Thanks for the pics and info. My set up looks just like yours. The coordinator can move freely and the cable is moving the white slide no problem from the switch for the manual operation. Is it the co-ordinator?

[Brad H.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

Sounds like a binding problem. Push the button and help the slide along and see if that gets it moving....access it from there.

[Dan B.]

Re: 1958 Wiper and washer

Hi Dan,
I have the white slide and the co-ordinator. When the wipers spray the co-ordinator tries to move (it almost jumps) and it does not move forward. Does that indicate the co coordinator is not working?

Possibly, it's got to move forward to work. To try and isolate the problem, disconnect the switch cable (temporarily) to remove it from the equation, then see if the coordinator will slide freely on it's own. That should narrow things down and help you find the problem.