1964 Windshield Wiper Electrical Question

[M W.]

Hi all,

I am trying to solve a mystery in my 1964 wiper electrical system. I had the entire unit restored last year and have had a terrible gremlin ever since. It's not in the wiper unit but the electrical connnection. What is happening is anytime current is on the car the two prong wire that plugs into the washer pump stays hot all the time. This is a definete no no. It should only be hot when you push the button on the dash and even then it's only temperory. The wiper motor itself works like it should but not the washer squirter motor. The wiper switch is a new one but I don't think its there. I must have a simple grounding problem but I don't know where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated. I would like to have this working like it's supposed to. No work no PV next year.

Thanks,
Craig W.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1964 Windshield Wiper Electrical Question

Hello, Craig,

I, too, have been consumed with the trials and tribulations of windshield wiper circuitry. It is my understanding that there is SUPPOSED to be a hot connection at both the pump and at the wiper motor (on the motor connection I believe it is the middle terminal of the three that is always hat when the key is on).

Anyway, all that the w/w switch does is complete the GROUND connection, either to the wiper motor or to the pump, to complete the circuit.

I was having a problem with my washer pump also - turned out that the spade connector in the back of the switch broke off. Replaced the switch, problem solved.

PS Be very careful if you need a replacement switch. My experience with the repro switches is that they are HORRIBLE. I found a NOS unit on Ebay.

Good luck!

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1964 Windshield Wiper Electrical Question

Craig,
Look under the car at the starter wires, there should be a black wire that is a ground wire for the wiper motor and heater blower, check and see if it's hooked to the solenoid positive terminal. If it is, hook this wire to the starter bolt for ground.

[M W.]

Re: 1964 Windshield Wiper Electrical Question

I checked for the black wire and it is already hooked to the starter bolt along with one of the battery terminal wires. The only other black wire I saw was connected together with the red wire. Thanks for the suggestion.

Cheers,
Craig