wiper switch question - installing intermittent wipers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1978sierra · 01-12-2016, 12:54 PM

I am wondering if anyone has a link for an intermittent wiper switch install. I'd like to do one in my 78. Currently, the switch only functions as off and high (in the middle position) and sprays when depressed. I'd like to switch to something like this :

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...074&cc=1030341

Is it as simple as just changing the switch? will there be a bunch of wiring? do I need any other parts?

I've dug around with the search for the past hour but can't seem to find what I am looking for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. As always, everyone here is awesome!

Cheers,

ray_mcavoy · 01-12-2016, 07:26 PM

You will need that switch along with a 78 - 83 GM truck wiper delay module.

The truck's existing wiring connector (that you'll unplug from the old wiper switch) will plug right into the new delay module. Then the delay module will plug into the new switch.

I don't know if the 78-83 delay modules are still available new anymore though. You might have to do some searching for a good used one.

tucsonjwt · 01-13-2016, 06:45 PM

That is the switch I have on my 83. I replaced it because it was not working properly. It is apparently not what we call modern intermittent wipers, if you mean delayed wipers. I think this is supposed to be a "pulse" wiper, where you manually move the switch to the right briefly to get just one swipe of the wiper in low rain conditions. However, my replacement switch did not work properly, so maybe I have some other problem. I replaced the wiper motor/pump assembly also (all AC Delco.) I really have no clue on how this is supposed to work.

I think I would look for an actual intermittent wiper setup like modern vehicles.

ray_mcavoy · 01-13-2016, 06:51 PM

When working properly, this is an intermittent wiper setup like modern vehicles.

Sliding the knob to the far left should result in a single wipe and spring back to the off position.
Sliding the knob to the right (1st detent from off) puts it in the intermittent mode. The delay between wipes is adjusted by rotating the knob.
Sliding the switch farther to the right (2nd detent from off) is constant low speed. And all the way to the right is constant high speed.

A defective delay module can prevent the intermittent function from operating properly but still allow all other functions to work.

01-12-2016, 12:54 PM	#1
1978sierra Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Vancouver Bc Posts: 30	wiper switch question - installing intermittent wipers I am wondering if anyone has a link for an intermittent wiper switch install. I'd like to do one in my 78. Currently, the switch only functions as off and high (in the middle position) and sprays when depressed. I'd like to switch to something like this : http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...074&cc=1030341 Is it as simple as just changing the switch? will there be a bunch of wiring? do I need any other parts? I've dug around with the search for the past hour but can't seem to find what I am looking for. Any help would be greatly appreciated. As always, everyone here is awesome! Cheers,

01-12-2016, 07:26 PM	#2
ray_mcavoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman, ME Posts: 2,358	Re: wiper switch question - installing intermittent wipers You will need that switch along with a 78 - 83 GM truck wiper delay module. The truck's existing wiring connector (that you'll unplug from the old wiper switch) will plug right into the new delay module. Then the delay module will plug into the new switch. I don't know if the 78-83 delay modules are still available new anymore though. You might have to do some searching for a good used one.

01-13-2016, 06:45 PM	#3
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: wiper switch question - installing intermittent wipers That is the switch I have on my 83. I replaced it because it was not working properly. It is apparently not what we call modern intermittent wipers, if you mean delayed wipers. I think this is supposed to be a "pulse" wiper, where you manually move the switch to the right briefly to get just one swipe of the wiper in low rain conditions. However, my replacement switch did not work properly, so maybe I have some other problem. I replaced the wiper motor/pump assembly also (all AC Delco.) I really have no clue on how this is supposed to work. I think I would look for an actual intermittent wiper setup like modern vehicles.

01-13-2016, 06:51 PM	#4
ray_mcavoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman, ME Posts: 2,358	Re: wiper switch question - installing intermittent wipers When working properly, this is an intermittent wiper setup like modern vehicles. Sliding the knob to the far left should result in a single wipe and spring back to the off position. Sliding the knob to the right (1st detent from off) puts it in the intermittent mode. The delay between wipes is adjusted by rotating the knob. Sliding the switch farther to the right (2nd detent from off) is constant low speed. And all the way to the right is constant high speed. A defective delay module can prevent the intermittent function from operating properly but still allow all other functions to work.



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