Having trouble getting the wiper/washer to work

[Andy69]

The instructions with the Autowire kit were vague at best.

I get nothing when I activate the switch, no motor no washer pump. It’s possible either the switch or the motor are bad but I want to get the wiring nailed down first. My thoughts are wiring is the most likely followed by the dash switch, followed by both the pump and motor being bad. This is on a 69 with depressed park wipers.

Ive tried three different wiring schemes. The first picture is how I had it wired based on the vague Autowire instructions.

The second photo labeled A111 is one internet example of how to wire it I found.

The third photo labeled A1112 is another internet example.

None of these did anything.

Using a test light I check for power when I had it hooked up like A1111:

White - wiper feed power wire, positive light in both locations
Black - wiper feed ground, positive light accompanied by a click coming from the motor area
Lt Blue - high speed ground, positive light
Dk blue - low speed ground? Positive light but very dim.

I think I’m going to order a new switch because the one I have is the original and sketchy.

Any thoughts?

 

[Andy69]

Ah. No ground from the wiper motor to the firewall. I’ll try that first

 

[kmakar]

Always check grounds first, then check for power. Once you've verified power that'll let you know if it's the switch or not.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Ah. No ground from the wiper motor to the firewall. I’ll try that first

One of the wiper mounting holes should have a ground strap

1966 - 1972 Chevelle or Nova Windshield Wiper Motor Ground Strap

1966 - 1972 Chevelle or Nova Windshield Wiper Motor Ground Strap. New firewall windshield wiper Ground Strap. Sold individually. Only one needed per car. Works great for all 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, and 72 Chevelle or Nova models without Hidden Wipers.

www.musclecarcentral.com

 

[Andy69]

Yeah, it doesn’t have that. Must have broken off in storage. Any way to replace it or do I need a new motor?

 

[Shovelrick]

I used a green ground wire from a replacement ac motor since when I mount a motor to metal frame I save the ground wires, they have a loop on each end for a screw and some are anywhere from 12” to 18” long, you can make your own from light gauge wire, 16 ga. and crimp loops on the ends, put 1 end on the metal base screw that the switch attaches to and other end at a good known ground source unless originality is needed, bad/No ground is why my wipers wouldn’t work

 

[Nashville Cat]

This has some good info

https://www.chevelles.com/threads/headlight-switch-mounting-on-a-69.1141145/#post-11506566

 

[Andy69]

I guess the switch needs to be grounded too. I’ll have to check both. Can I just run a light gauge wire from the motor to the firewall in place of the strap?

Switch is definitely bad, it’s stuck now in the low speed position.

 

[Andy69]

I installed a new switch and ran a ground to the firewalll from the switch. Wipers and washer work except instead of stopping when turn I them off, it goes to the fast speed

 

[Andy69]

Ok, got it working. The switch I had to replace it I’m not sure what it came from, but once I had it installed in the bezel and tried it, it was backwards - off was all the way to the right. So I put the old switch back in. It’s mechanically worn and sticks sometimes but I can always replace it later. Finally got the motor wiring straightened out via trial and error.

 

[cheveslakr]

Take that switch apart, clean, and reassemble, it'll last another 30 years

 

[kmakar]

I had an issue with the electric seat motors in the Starfire and looked high and low and couldn't even find a used one.... called a guy who sold the used parts and he told me to take it apart and clean it.

After this many years the grease gums up and sure as shit that's exactly what it was. Cleaned it really good, regreased it and it worked like new (wouldn't even turn before).

 

[Andy69]

I shot the heck out of it with contact cleaner, should be good now I hope.

 

[Shovelrick]

I guess the switch needs to be grounded too. I’ll have to check both. Can I just run a light gauge wire from the motor to the firewall in place of the strap?

Switch is definitely bad, it’s stuck now in the low speed position.

Sorry I meant in my post to ground the switch, motor needs to be grounded too since it has rubber isolating grommets