1957 wiper malfunction

[Paul Tesone]

 My newly rebuilt wiper motor was just installed  . Motor works fine , wipers appear to work as expected . But I can not get the squirter to squirt when  the button is depressed . However , when I turn off the ignition , a large forceful blast of washer fluid is ejected - enough to pass over the windshield . So it appears that a line or squirter tip blockage is not the problem . Seems more like a bottle pump malfunction . Any ideas ? If that's the problem , is anyone rebuilding these? Thanks, Paul Tesone CLC # 6876

[57caddy]

i cant get my wiper arms to move and motor is in working order as for your squirting problem defently has to be the pump

[Warren Rauch #4286]

  Does the washer squirt any other time than when the engine is shutting down ? It would seem that since the washer is vacuum, it must be reacting to changes in engine vacuum, triggering the squirt. A misplaced vacuum line, bad valve,bad dash control,etc. is where I would look. Warren

[J. Gomez]

Paul,

When the vacuum is present the washer pump piston is pull by the vacuum compressing a spring which slide in the piston shaft. Once you press the button the vacuum is blocked and the force of the spring forces the piston down to pump the fluid. The cycle repeats when the button is release and depress again.

There are two small and a large rubber seals inside the pump cover one is to seal the vacuum and a second for the fluid side. You can take the pump cover (held by a “C” tension wire) off, be careful as the cover will jump do the spring tension inside. Inspect the two seals on the pump piston (clear plastic) these would the first thing I would check.

Tackling the pump (on top of the jar lid) this will be a bit more complex if it needs to be overhauled which in your case it may not.

Good luck…!

[Walter Youshock]

Did it work before you had the motor rebuilt? 

It shouldn't squirt at all unless the button is pushed.  After pressing the button do the wipers come on indicating the coordinator is working?  There is a brass adjusting screw on the side of the black plastic pump to adjust the length of time the coordinator stays on and amount of passes the wipers make.  Other than that, it's in the pump. 

Rebuild kits are available but the pumps are a pain to rebuild, especially the rivets.  I'll be rebuilding mine again this year.

[Roger Zimmermann]

There are two small and a large rubber seals inside the pump cover one is to seal the vacuum and a second for the fluid side. You can take the pump cover (held by a “C” tension wire) off, be careful as the cover will jump do the spring tension inside. Inspect the two seals on the pump piston (clear plastic) these would the first thing I would check.

As the water is ejected from the pump, I assume that both seals are still good enough. The problem must be either with the coordinator (was it replaced or exchanged?) or the "head" of the washer pump.

[Paul Tesone]

Thanks Warren , J , Walter & Roger . I appreciate your input . I'll let you know what I find . ....Paul Tesone CLC # 6876

[J. Gomez]

As the water is ejected from the pump, I assume that both seals are still good enough. The problem must be either with the coordinator (was it replaced or exchanged?) or the "head" of the washer pump.

Roger,

Good point, Mr. Eagle eye..! 

Paul,

Maybe the vacuum hoses are not in the correct place, a couple of drawing for reference.

Good luck..!

[Paul Tesone]

Thanks J - these drawings are great . Paul Tesone CLC # 6876

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Paul,
You had asked earlier in the post if anyone rebuilds these units.

McVey's has a service that rebuilds the washer unit (on the jar lid and the
pump inside).  He includes a new lid for the jar and replaces all gaskets, seals, etc.

I had mine done by him and was pleased with the result.  Call them for more info.

Mike