55.2-59 57 electric wiper question

[QBRacing]

so I have a 57 cab on my 58 Apache and it is running a single power wire with the turn knob control for speed (see attachment).

is the power wire meant to go direct to fused 12v and if so I therefore assume the turntable switch is meant to control the earth contact to engage the wiper ....

or

is the power wire meant to go to a switch and the turntable knob simply controls the speed function.

I only ask as no matter what position my turn knob is in it goes the 1 speed when 12v is applied to the red wire....

cheers

q

[1project2many]

The 1955 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual has the information you need. The wiring diagram shows the wiper motor connects with a single brown wire from the 12V side of the ballast resistor. Red is not an OEM color but chances are that wire was used when the original brown wire failed.

[_Ogre]

wire goes to 12v+, speed is controlled by rotary knob
my 58 is 2 speed, you may need to adjust the clamp on the rotary knob to get high speed
i shaved my dash and lost the spot for the rotary knob, i use a throttle cable next to the headlight switch to control the wipers
out half inch is off, a little in is low, full in is high. not much travel

that said... i know they work, i've never used them and i drive in the rain all the time
rain-x is your friend

[svr]

Yes 12v to the wire, the knob on mine turned to the left is off, slightly to the right is slow, turned all the way to the right is fast. The base of the motor must be grounded, the switch is internal in the motor base. The knob and cable move the switch. You should be able to feel the small detents for the different positions. It doesnt move much.

[QBRacing]

thanks for the replies guys.

With the red wire going inside I guess I am set to pull apart my wiper motor and figure out what the hell is going on inside. That will probably explain why there is no off and why I only have 1 speed no matter where I turn the knob.

@ _Ogre - I put patch over my centre section because it was so badly munted when I got the truck. I planed on doing the same thing and moving the twist knob to the left by the light switch.

Knowing that my wiper needs internal servicing "IF" I can fix it (off,slow and high), I'm now thinking of using the choke cable but reverse to your setup (so in is off like the lights). Shouldnt be too hard with a simple Z pivot.

Guess I know what I'm doing tomorrow as its meant to be a miserable day.

Thanks Guys,
Q

[_Ogre]

it never bothered me to have the knob out 1/2"
i looked at adapting to a long twist knob, it was beyond my skills
remove the cable and see if your switch is 2 speed, i've never seen a single speed electric in a 58-59

[QBRacing]

well some people should just leave well enough alone or pay someone to fix their sh..

the red power wire was fed in the hole and simply twisted around the terminal inside. part 1 of why sometimes it worked and sometimes it didnt

2nd problem was that there was only 1 screw holding the switch in. the centre contact is meant to be the earth terminal which was always live as the whole switch had twisted ever so slightly. .

some people make me mad....

[bobinbc]

Good thing that you pulled it apart to check Q!

[_Ogre]