[Scarebird]

I have run into a baffling situation with the wipers. I have noted in my 1972 factory shop manual that the power wire going to the motor is in different positions by application. Note below that the A, F, and G bodies go to an end terminal, while the B's are in the center position.



This would be no big deal except some vendors sell motors with the same part number* for both variants and the plugs will easily fit either way - with possible smoke-filled consequences...

But the issue here is A bodies seemed to be wired both ways in the wild. Here a video shows a 1971 GTO undergoing wiper repair with the power feed in the center (1:40 minute mark).



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbqjCRax16w

My American Autowire install guide shows 1968-72 at the end as per shop manual.



Page 3 https://api.americanautowire.com/sho...543_IN_4.1.pdf

Granted, these cars are all over 50 years old, so may have been modded a bit or a lot. I ask you to post pix of what you have, especially if it is very stock. Perhaps we can see where this goes.

* Cardone for 1971 GTO via Rockauto

BUICK CENTURY 1973
BUICK ELECTRA 1968-1973
BUICK ESTATE WAGON 1970-1973
BUICK LESABRE 1968-1973
BUICK REGAL 1973
BUICK RIVIERA 1968-1973
BUICK SKYLARK 1968-1972
BUICK SPECIAL 1968-1969
CADILLAC CALAIS 1968-1973
CADILLAC COMMERCIAL CHASSIS 1968-1973
CADILLAC DEVILLE 1968-1973
CADILLAC ELDORADO 1968-1973
CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1966-1973
CHEVROLET BEL AIR 1972-1973
CHEVROLET BISCAYNE 1972
CHEVROLET CAMARO 1968-1973
CHEVROLET CAPRICE 1972-1973
CHEVROLET CHEVELLE 1969-1973
CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1973
CHEVROLET EL CAMINO 1969-1973
CHEVROLET IMPALA 1972-1973
CHEVROLET MALIBU 1973
CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1970-1973
GMC SPRINT 1971-1973
OLDSMOBILE 98 1968-1973
OLDSMOBILE CUSTOM CRUISER 1971-1973
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1968-1973
OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1971-1973
OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 1968-1973
OLDSMOBILE F85 1968-1972
OLDSMOBILE TORONADO 1968-1973
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1968-1973
PONTIAC CATALINA 1968-1973
PONTIAC FIREBIRD 1968-1973
PONTIAC GRAND AM 1973
PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1968-1973
PONTIAC GTO 1968-1973
PONTIAC LEMANS 1968-1973
PONTIAC T EMPEST 1968-1970
PONTIAC VENTURA 1971-1972

[Scarebird]

Anybody?

[indymanjoe]

i sent you a text with pics

[OG68]

This is from my 68 GTO. Its wired like the 72 B body.



And here what I think is why.

The service manual schematics are drawn primarily for a no option car. For the A body, this means the rectangular (or non hidden wiper) motor.
The power lead, Blk /Yel, is on the #2 terminal which is on the end.

For the round (or hidden wiper) motor the Blk / Yel is in the middle. Since the Round motor is standard on the B body, thats what's shown on the B body schematic.

The 71/72 service manuals no longer show how to overhaul the wiper motor. But in the 68 manual it shows a wiring diagram of the 'Optional' motor.



I think by 71/72 the rectangular motor was replaced by the round motor. But the 71/72 schematics don't reflect this.
Or is the non hidden round motor wired the same as the older rectangular motor?
Someone with more knowledge of the 71/72 wiper motors can answer that.

Delco placed barbs on the motor terminals and open areas on the plugs to fit over the barbs. This prevents mis-wiring. The plug(s) can only go on one way

Photos show my original motor with an M&H replacement harness.

[OG68]

As a followup I searched for under hood photos of 72 Tempests and noticed they did have rectangular wiper motors. That would explain the different wiring.

To sum it all up, The Yellow/Blk wire is on the end for rectangular motors and in the center for round motors.
Schematics will show the base model car which will be with a rectangular motor.

The next question for my education would be; Why does the Grand Prix schematic show a rectangular motor electrical connection? I'm assuming of course that all G bodies came with hidden wipers.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by indymanjoe

I sent you a text with pics

I thought at first that will be hard - I do not have a US number anymore, but there in my email inbox are several excellent, clear shots, thank you!

Originally Posted by OG68

As a follow up I searched for under hood photos of 72 Tempests and noticed they did have rectangular wiper motors. That would explain the different wiring.

To sum it all up, The Yellow/Blk wire is on the end for rectangular motors and in the center for round motors.
Schematics will show the base model car which will be with a rectangular motor.

The next question for my education would be; Why does the Grand Prix schematic show a rectangular motor electrical connection? I'm assuming of course that all G bodies came with hidden wipers.

Your explanation makes the most sense here. As noted in another thread - everything is different between the two setups.

[Scarebird]

Further examination shows this 1968 GTO base motor:



Note how the 3 terminals are split 2-1 versus the round motor 3 in a row. I was puzzled why a 3 terminal round motor would have 2 connectors for 3 terminals...

Indymanjoe sent this to me, not sure if the connector is one or two piece... so maybe earlier round motors have 2-1 connectors while later are 3.



The 2 speed square wiper soldiered on till 1987, last seen in Chevettes and T1000's according to RA parts interchange.

[indymanjoe]

the top wire is by itself the bottom 2 are one connection.

[Scarebird]

Indymanjoe has confirmed the connector is indeed a 2 piece unit. My guess is GM wanted one less permutation on the wiring harness, even though the motor and switch are different. Not sure why this did not carry thru on later (70-72?) model years which seem to have the 3 prong connector.

[Scarebird]

I contacted American Autowire. They responded quickly. I noted to them the issues. I was told their tech department would look at it,

In summary, OG68 is correct: the wiring shown is for the square motor and AAW has the wrong routing on their round motor wiring.