71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

[Seth G.]

I had to replace my leaking 3 port wiper arm safety vacuum valve that sits at the base of the right side wiper (top port black hose, middle port red/bottom port white). When reinstalling the new one, does anyone know if the the plunger needs to be in the depressed position against the base of the wiper arm? Seems like the plunger is positioned in the "out" position when installing with the two bolts. Also, the one I took off the car has a round plunger at the base that is black. I see that many of the reproductions out there seem to have a white colored one. Does anyone know which was the correct color? Thank you.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

The arm should close the plunger when they are in the lowered (stop) position and the door closed.
The system is designed so that the door is supposed to close only after the arm pushed the plunger and releases it.

White is usual.
I hope you bought more than one, as it seems that only 1 in 10 of those repro valves actually works. No, I'm not kidding.

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

Thanks Patrick. I have since seen that the plunger should be depressed when wiper in parked position. From past archives, seeing that AIM calls for plunger to be in the 1/2 in position against the wiper. See now how to adjust bolts to achieve this. Would you know where to find a reproduction control valve that actually works?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

Thanks Patrick. I have since seen that the plunger should be depressed when wiper in parked position. From past archives, seeing that AIM calls for plunger to be in the 1/2 in position against the wiper. See now how to adjust bolts to achieve this. Would you know where to find a reproduction control valve that actually works?

No, as they stopped making the better repro last year.

[Billy S.]

Re: 71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

I have a friend who recently bought one of the poor repro's currently available. His switch obviously did not work (as he only bought one) but he found that the factory failed to drill out any of the openings for the 3 tubes to the main tube. He disassembled the switch, then drilled out the openings and got the switch to work perfectly.

Hope that helps!

[Bill L.]

Re: 71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

Thanks Patrick. I have since seen that the plunger should be depressed when wiper in parked position. From past archives, seeing that AIM calls for plunger to be in the 1/2 in position against the wiper. See now how to adjust bolts to achieve this. Would you know where to find a reproduction control valve that actually works?

HI Seth,

I just adjusted a reproduction valve and an original valve in my 70. In both instances it looks like the plunger needs to be more than 1/2 depressed or your wiper door will pop up after you shut down the engine.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Seth G.]

Re: 71 Wiper Arm Control/Interlock Vacuum Valve

Thanks Bill. I just installed the vacuum switch yesterday. Everything worked fine until this morning. When I started the car,the wiper door opened then closed. It stayed closed however after I shut it off. One step forward anyway! Thanks