Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
Hello everyone, my name is Siegfried Kirchner, I am from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and I am relatively new to the NCRS. Fabulous club by the way, best I have ever seen! I am presently restoring a 70 LS5 coupe, Bridgehampton Blue/Black interior, all numbers matching. I am desperatly searching for a NOS or functioning wiper vacuum switch, GM# 5638487. Have purchased several of these aftermarket from various Corvette vendors, but yet to find one that holds vacuum. Would gladly pay top dollar to find a NOS one or an aftermarket one that functions. If that is not possible, would anyone know how to disassemble one of these to rebuild? Would appreciate any help I could find.
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
Siegfried
If you are talking about the wiper vacuum solenoid there are several on ebay here is a new in box.
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
Sorry, that is not the part I am talking about. I require the part that the wiper on the passenger side parks on (depresses), to switch vacuum and to allow the wiper door to close.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
Ironically when I purchased a couple of these reproductions 10+ years ago I also noted that they did not hold vacuum like I thought they should. I had to modify them to work with sealant and a bit of silicone grease, but eventually got one to function.Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
Not completely sure on how you performed this?
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
Sigfried-----
I am not aware that reproductions of this switch were ever available. However, the switch was available from GM until quite recently. I would think that GM was the source of the "reproduction" switches. Your dealer can still order them from VPI. However, if you have problems with the "reproductions", I expect you'd have problems with the GM piece. But, you never know. They will be expensive---probably 60 bucks or more.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
If you have a little time NOS switches show up on ebay. An old NOS switch will have a black top. All the repros have white tops. For the life of me I cannot figure out why they decided on a white top. It will set you back $100 or more for an NOS with black top. There are some GM replacements with white tops that could be considered NOS as well.
On a side note, I did try the repro switch on my 70 and it worked fine without vacuum leaks. I got it from one of the major vendors. The real Original GM parts are much sturdier from why I can see.
BillComment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
The last reproduction of this part that I tried was a real P.O.S. It fell apart in my hands before the instalation was complete. Source said they warramty them by the hundreds.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
I have watched ebay for several months, and have not seen one on it yet, only imported overseas junk. If I could find an GM NOS one, I would gladly pay someone $100 or more so I can assemble the top cowl, and get this machine ready for spring! Motor is still out for another month and access at the firewall is easy at the moment.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
The biggest problem I had with the reproduction switch was the cheap rubber seal. It was vey tough to get it to seat correctly. I installed it and it works perfectly.
I actually found my NOS switch through a contact I made on another forum. They are out there and they usually pop up in bunches.
I have had a ton of good fortune posting parts wanted on another forum. Found my correctly dated fan clutch among other things there
BillComment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
I have an NOS one on the shelf if you are interested. The one you have pictured earlier in this thread. I have not double check the part number, but it is the same switch.
PM me and we can talk, if you like.
MonteLast edited by Monte M.; March 3, 2013, 06:13 PM.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
If you continue to have trouble, let me know. After taking many of these apart, over the years, and trying to put them together again, almost all leak down. I found that if I switch two of the lines, it eliminates the problem.
I am going to go check my original 72 to see if they were hooked up backwards from the diagram at the factory and the diagrams might be off. It works hooked up either way, but one way seems to hold the air better.
I will let you know what I find.Comment
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Re: Wiper Vacuum Switch Help - GM# 5638487
That is not the part I am talking about. The one you have shown pictures of mounts to the rear of the tachometer housing and is a vacuum/electical solenoid safety switch. The one I require is under the front cowl/firewall area, and is mechanically activated by the right wiper arm. If you Google GM part number 5638487, you will see the correct switch. Dr Rebuild and Wilcox both have videos on how to correctly test one of these online.Comment
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