1971 windshield wiper door problem

[Frank V.]

I have a 1971, convertible. The wiper door functions perfectly except that every time it closes it comes down on the passenger side wiper arm. I have rebuilt the wiper motor, tried adjusting the wiper transmission to no avail. The driver arm parks reliably, at the stop, but not the passenger arm. What am I not thinking of? I have read the solutions mentioned in similiar posts. I have tried adjusting the vac valve, and tried several different wiper blades. The transmission adjustments are maxed to get as much downward movement as I can get. You can move the arm with your hand easily to the correct position.

[Paul Y.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

There is a solenoid type switch with vacuum hoses attached on the passenger side that keeps the door up until they park. It has a diaphragm that may have ruptured and needs to be replaced. It is located under the wiper door on the right side and I think it has two vacuum hoses attached. You can find it under the wiper arm when it is parked.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

Hi Frank,
Paul is certainly in the right area... but I'm thinking the position of that vacuum switch needs to be adjusted. There are 2 bolts that fasten the switch to it's bracket, and they allow for some position change.
I believe the arm on the wiper transmission that hits the switch's plunger is hitting the plunger before the wiper is completely down and thus signaling that it's o.k. for the door to close a bit to soon.
It's a pretty easy fix once you get access to the bolts.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Frank V.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

OK, I think I have tried this before. I moved the switch as far forward in the slotted holes as possible, still does not work right.

[Frank V.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

In fact even with the vacuum switch removed, I still cant get the wipers to move to the correct park position for the door to close. It doesnt appear to have anything to do with the vac switch. I have tried to adjust the transmission and have run out of adjustment.

[Frank V.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

Is it possible that the transmission arms have deformed from 40 years of use? There just doesn't seem to be enough adjustment for the arms to ever park properly. I have also noticed that the blades in operation come to close to the edge of the windshield, ie. , I cant get the 1" from the pillar that the AIM says it should be set to.

[Paul Y.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

If you have a mity vac you can test the integrity of that switch.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

Hi Frank,
Are you using the screw on each wiper arm to fine tune the sweep?
This one?
You can see the position of the transmission arm on the plunger when the arm is 'parked', too.
Regards,
Alan

[Frank V.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

I have tried adjusting the arm length, but that is not the problem either.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 windshield wiper door problem

Hi Frank,
Is there any chance, or way, that the wiper arm is mounted to the transmission one tooth off? I realize there's a keyway, but was that defeated in some way?
That would cause your problem; depending on which direction the arm is off.
Regards,
Alan