C2 Windshield Washer Issue

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Windshield Washer Issue

To visualize how the system works, you need a copy of the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual (the WSW motor & pump were essentially the same, so coverage isn't great in the 64 and 65 Supplement books.

The pump is driven by the rotation of the WSW motor. There's drive pin on the bottom of the washer that engages with with a hole in the drive gear of the wiper motor. It's easy for a novice to install the pump onto the motor without aligning these resulting in no washer pump action!

When you push the switch to call for washer fluid, you fire a solenoid in the washer pump that releases the pump's ratchet arm onto the pump's drive prawl. That causes the pump's piston arm to move back and forth to execute the pumping task.

All the descriptive text aside...if you remove the plastic cover from the washer pump and watch what happens when you trigger the washer switch, you'll be able to see the system working (or trying to work)...

[Joe C.]

Re: C2 Windshield Washer Issue

ORIGINALLY POSTED June 17th, 2009, 06:45 AM



Joe Ciaravino (32899)
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Join Date: September 1st, 1999
Posts: 2,931


Re: C2 Windshield Washer Issue
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Piper (50141)
The windshield washer on my '65 convertible doesn't work, but my windshield wipers are working fine. I push the small button in the center of the wiper switch, but nothing happens. Should that small button activate the wipers and the water "squirt", or am I missing something? When I push the button, I don't even hear the motor attempt to move the water. I read other posts/threads about this subject, but I don't fully understand the procedure. Is my pump bad, or does it just need to be primed? Should I be continuously pushing the small button as to "pump" the water from the washer jar up to the windshield nozzles? If the pump requires servicing, can it be done without removing the entire wiper motor assembly? I was told that the distributor would have to be removed in order to get the motor assembly out, but I really don't want to mess with that. As always, your guidance is appreciated!

Thank you,
Roger Piper (50141)

Roger,

The washer pump gets its motive force from the windshield wiper transmission. When the washer button is pushed, a solenoid is energized, which causes a pawl to engage the wiper transmission output gear. The washer pump assembly goes along for the ride for a set number of wiper gear revolutions, until the mechanism forces the pawl to disengage.

If you can hear the pump diaphragm pulsating steadily, then follow the advice above. Once the center button is pressed, the pump will engage and you'll hear it cycling for about 10 seconds, or, about 7-10 full revolutions of the wiper transmission. If priming and checking for cracked hoses, checking the distribution block cover seals for leaks, and checking the poppet valves for blockages doesn't help, then you have a ruptured pump diaphragm.

If you do not hear the pump cycling, but you DO hear a single "click" when the washer button is depressed, then the engagement pawl or return spring in the transmission is damaged or jammed.
EDIT: If you are like most shadetree mechanics, then you must have a known good motor/pump assembly and/or the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual if you are unfamiliar with the pump's operation. If you are like me, then you need not.

If you do not hear a "click" when the washer button is depressed, check for an "open" in the pump ground circuit. Another likely culprit is an "open" in the pump engagement solenoid windings.

Joe
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[Roger P.]

C2 Windshield Washer Issue

Gentlemen:
Drum roll please... we have liftoff -- and washer fluid spraying across the windshield ! Thanks again to all who have provided their advice and guidance. I had a printed copy of your comments right next to me during the project which helped me through each step of the task. Once the distributor cap was moved out of the way (I removed 4 of the 8 wires and moved it toward the passenger's side), removing & reinstalling the washer pump wasn't too difficult. The main problem with my washer pump was that the gear wasn't turning and engaging the spring (which in turn pumps the bellows). It was somehow stuck, but once I gave it a few turns, it appeared to work correctly. I used the new nozzle rebuild kit that I purchased from Eckler's since I was already working on the pump, but this caused some unnecessary grief. When I reinstalled the pump, I decided to test it before closing up the distributor. It's a good thing that I did since it still didn't work ! What gives?? I was talking out loud using 4-letter words at will. Why does every small project turn into a big job? I had to remove and reinstall the nozzle section two times (with the pump still installed to the wiper motor housing). The access was difficult, but easier than dealing with the whole pump again. It ends up that the replacement nozzle piece was defective as it wouldn't allow the fluid to flow. After replacing it with the original nozzle unit (using new o-rings & bellows), I had washer fluid spraying and I was ready to hit the road with a clean windshield . I closed up the distributor, put everything back in order, wiped down the air cleaner & fenders, and went for a cruise. I love happy endings; don't you?

Thanks again,
Roger Piper (50141)