Topic: where to start
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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i just wondered if anyone might have any thoughts on this.
after my motor swap a month ago, my wipers suddenly stopped working. i'm thinking bad wiper motor but haven't really tracked it yet.
then when i got home from the miller garage tour, my interior lights no longer work.
does anyone know of a spot i should check first? or should i just start tracking wires like a madman?
when i was checking the fuse for the wiper (which was good), i noticed the fuse panel was kinda "loose" on the floor. isn't it supposed to be tight?
could this be the problem?
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Jeff, first, make SURE the wiper switch is securely attached to the vent panel. The switch has to be grounded to work. This is the most common problem with non-working wipers. The switch gets a little loose back there, and loses it's ground. Check that first. Make sure the vent panel is tight, also.
Second...you say they stopped working after the engine install? Ya might want to crawl under it, and see if there is a black wire attached to the center terminal of the starter solenoid, or just hanging loose. If there is, that's your problem. That black wire is a ground, and if it is not grounded, the wipers won't work.(Another common mistake)
The interior light problem may well be related to a loose fuse box...it should be fairly secure to the firewall. On the engine side, down below the brake booster, if you look at the pass-thru connector where all the wires go thru, you'll see a tiny little bolt(5/16") in the center of the connector there. Try snugging it up to see if that fixes the problems. IF it does, I would recommend you go ahead and dis-connect that connection by loosening that little bolt, and removing the connector for a good cleaning...and check for any corrosion that may be up in there.
hth
Second...you say they stopped working after the engine install? Ya might want to crawl under it, and see if there is a black wire attached to the center terminal of the starter solenoid, or just hanging loose. If there is, that's your problem. That black wire is a ground, and if it is not grounded, the wipers won't work.(Another common mistake)

The interior light problem may well be related to a loose fuse box...it should be fairly secure to the firewall. On the engine side, down below the brake booster, if you look at the pass-thru connector where all the wires go thru, you'll see a tiny little bolt(5/16") in the center of the connector there. Try snugging it up to see if that fixes the problems. IF it does, I would recommend you go ahead and dis-connect that connection by loosening that little bolt, and removing the connector for a good cleaning...and check for any corrosion that may be up in there.
hth

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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joel, i'll check those out.
it's funny, when i bought the car, there was a "dead"wire hanging near the starter. i left it hanging since everything was working. when we hooked the starter back up after the motor swap, we just tied off that wire.
Hmel '74 2008-06-03 19:24:54
so that should go to the center terminal?
maybe i should hook that up now. hmm. wonder why the wipers worked before??
hey, thanks for the help. i'll let you know how it works out.

Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
NO!!! If the wire that is hanging is a black wire, it is a ground! It should be attached to one of the bellhousing bolts...not the starter.
I'd still check the switch, to see if it is grounded...the wipers work a little different from most stuff. They have 12v on the motor any time the key is on. The wiper switch provides the ground to make them work, so a loose switch, or a missing ground will cause this.
Adams' Apple 2008-06-03 19:32:51

I'd still check the switch, to see if it is grounded...the wipers work a little different from most stuff. They have 12v on the motor any time the key is on. The wiper switch provides the ground to make them work, so a loose switch, or a missing ground will cause this.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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