While it's still freezing out, I need to fix this strange symptom that bugs me everytime I start the car. I have another buddy that has the exact same problem, so we can fix two problems if get to the bottom of this. The wiper door opens and closes everytime the car is started. Everything else about the goofy vacuum system works fine. Everything has been either re-worked or replaced. Just for the hell of it, I measured the vacuum at the control line on the relay, it measures 6 inches, while the vacuum from the engine is 18. I assume that it should be the same throughout the entire system, except for leaks. So, maybe the control line has a leak???, and it causes the strange problem. The path to the vacuum motor for the door is very complicated, but I have all the diagrams etc. Thanks

Sounds like a problem with the door limit vacuum switch which is a PITA to get too under the right hand side of the cowl vent.

That too is new ( $50 ouch!! old one fell apart ). The sequence of opening and closing the door works correctly with the wiper blades doing their thing correctly at the same time, so I believe that this vacuum switch is ok. This protects the blades from the door closing on them when running, which works ok. The blades park, then the door closes ok. Strange things can happen, so I will give anything a second or third look.

do the headlites do the same thing when you start the car as the wiper door, if so there is a leak somewhere in the vac sys, if just in the wiper door it is most likley the w.d. relay I had a problem with my vac. sys. and what I did was get a electric vac pump that pulled 25Hg and hooked it in just in front of the vac sys filter , that way I could charge the the sys. without having the car running, that way I could take my time and check and listen for leaks and operate each sub sys. I had two bad relays, a leaky hose at the plumn door, and a bad vac-elec wiper selenoid

Mostly everything in the vacuum system is new, hoses, relays, rebuilt motors, rebuilt wiper door mech. etc. The headlights work fine. Great idea, I'll see if I can buy or borrow a vacuum pump to check this out. With the engine running, it is very hard to troubleshoot these problems. I think there is a leak too, but it probably is buried under the dash someplace, stuff I have not checked out yet like the wiper switch and the switches under the steering column. Like I said earlier, I think there should be 18 in (or close to that) of vacuum at the relay control line for the wiper door....same through out the entire system except if there is a leak.

The headlights latch into place with over the center spring arrangement, thats probably why they work ok.

Thanks!!!

Mine did the same thing when I got it. I replaced the plunger type vacuum switch under the cowl that has 3 ports for vacuum lines. After that it worked fine.

I borrowed the elec.vac pump from a friend who removed it from an old air conditioning evac. sys, I recieved a flyer from Harbor freight awhile back that had one in it that pulled 30 hg and they sold for about 20-30$, might try there, make sure that bubba behind the counter doesn't confuse it for a mighty Vac

Replacing the Wiper Limit Switch solved the problem for me. My wiper door was opening on start-up, but do not remember if the wipers were coming up.

The switch was $23. I bought it from The Last Detail, PN 670821.

Thats what i was thinking about, the harbor freight pump...saw it the other day in their store thinking about this problem. Probably a real POS, but might do the job for me.

OHSIXX - I replaced that switch too, I think you mean the one with the red wires - short pigtail connector?
Remember, I replaced the wiring harness too.....

bcliff - I replaced that switch too, the 50$ plastic pos the wiper arm rests against when parked??

|UPDATED|1/18/2005 6:17:07 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|