C3 wiper problem

[Scott G.]

I'm befuddled. Just had the radio and clock restored , put gauge cluster and everything back correctly. Now the wipers don't work. It's got to be in the switch. Checked the connection on the wiper switch, cleaned the contacts and put everything back together, still nothing. checked the fuse to see if it blew. And it didn't. Could the switch had shorted out? I hate to replace the switch if its not necessary, anyone have any ideas to what's going on?
Scott

[John H.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

I'm befuddled. Just had the radio and clock restored , put gauge cluster and everything back correctly. Now the wipers don't work. It's got to be in the switch. Checked the connection on the wiper switch, cleaned the contacts and put everything back together, still nothing. checked the fuse to see if it blew. And it didn't. Could the switch had shorted out? I hate to replace the switch if its not necessary, anyone have any ideas to what's going on?
Scott

Scott -

The wiper motor has power any time the key is in "on" or "accessory" and works by grounding its coils through the wiper switch; if you've lost the ground connection from the switch to the cluster to ground, it won't work.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

Scott:
Check the obvious first. Did you turn the override knob? Check the ground on the engine compartment side of the wiper motor that plugs into the spade connector on top of the motor.
Jeff

[G A.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

I may be slipping, but isn't there a wiper relay under the radio? How about that being disconnected?

[Joseph K.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

When you took the center console out there is a plug at the top to the wiper switch. Did that become dislodged?? but check for the obvious mentioned above first.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

It is possible to put the connector on the wiper switch backwards. Check that the wiper switch connector is properly installed -- and double check that the wiper switch is grounded.

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

Terry, I would bet you hit it on the nose, I did this to my 72 will doing the interior over. If the wiper was working before the cluster was taken out there,s a good chance you just need to rotate the connecter 180 degrees.

[Phil D.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

Just one more simple thing to check, and if it doesn't help you, mabe others. My wipers stopped working last fall, the door would open but no wipe. Turned out I had multiple small vacuum leaks such that it wasn't getting enough vacuum to the actuator to suck the door "all the way" open. The door has to open far enough to engage a switch. The previous owner had replaced all of the vacuum relays and everything worked when I bought the car but they didn't replace all of the hoses, and the few they did replace were the wrong size. They were leaking around where the hoses connected to the new relays. I did the old trick of snipping off the ends of the hoses to get back to more pliable, unstretched hose and replaced a few of the hoses that were wrong size or too short to snip. Besides the wipers I was starting to have other odd vacuum system problems like a headlight would pop up at random or the wiper door would cycle when I started then engine. After the repairs, I even noticed my idle speed is a tad higher and smoother too. Someday I'll order a hose kit and replace all the hoses so they are all fresh and have the right color stripes, etc, but for now, everythings working again.

[Scott G.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

Found a cracked hose to the wiper motor,replaced, everything works now! Thanks, fellas!

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

Found a cracked hose to the wiper motor,replaced, everything works now! Thanks, fellas!

How did you find it, Scott? Vacuum systems are difficult for most folks to troubleshoot so any tips would be welcome.

[Scott G.]

Re: C3 wiper problem

Terry-This site was extremely helpful in tracking vacuum problems (along with a trustworthy vacuum gauge!).

http://home.comcast.net/~chadwick.robert/Vacuum_Troubleshooting.pdf

Scott