Converting 1979 push mist wiper switch to delay

[BeachBoyBob]

Hi folks! Are there any gearheads out there that have converted the original 1979 Olds G-Body manual push-to-initiate the wipers in a mist to the fancier factory delay mechanism? It would seem that all one needs is the proper switch with the delay knob. As I recall, the delay knob was on the switch pole, and not at the end of the turn indicator, like "modern" cars.

Also, am I correct in assuming that the washer pumps are the same, or is there an additional electrical pole on the one used with the automatic delay switch? If all that is required is the fancy switch, can you help me source it?

Any help would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance! Beach Boy Bob

 

[Bonnewagon]

Wow this is a heavy topic,lots of discussion last year. Here's what's up. The delay only works with an actual delay wiper motor, and a delay switch. They changed wiper motor types in 84' so you have an "old" negative switched system. You need to find an 83' and earlier delay wiper motor, identified by a green wire in the wiper motor harness. Also pulling the cover will show a circuit board for the delay function. Then you need a negative switched delay wiper switch and the one in the column is around $100 at rockauto. Yeah. An alternative, after you get the wiper motor, is a JC Whitney wiper delay module that goes for around $22 and wire that in with the existing switch. As a plus, you may have the green wire in your car's dash harness already, take a peek at where the column harness meets the dash harness, there should be 4 wires on your column harness, pink,grey,purple,and black. If the green one is there in the dash harness, you just hook up the motor and switch and be on your way.

 

[BeachBoyBob]

Bonnewagon!

You're Da Man, Dude! Thanks for the great, detailed information, and taking your valuable time to assist me!
That was a really nice thing to do, Bro! Surf's up! Go to the Beach!

Beach Boy Bob

 

[79loserbluebu]

Awesome post Bonnewagon, if I knew that while I was doing the column swap I would of went with a delay wiper over the non delay. Can we make this a sticky or put it in a useful thread sticky?

 

[Bonnewagon]

Glad to help guys. Me and Longroof79 have been brainstorming the conversion of the negative switched system to the more common and easier to get parts for 84' and newer positive switched system. It seems whenever one gets a nice tilt column, it's like an 86' or so. Putting that onto an older car always fouls up the wiper function. The correct procedure would be to open the column and convert to an older type column switch, but the delay is $100, and the standard is $40. Using the newer delay motor and switch in an older car is possible, but some rewiring under the dash is needed. Not hard to do. Also there are a total of 4 column mounted switches. Tilt, standard. Tilt, delay. Non-tilt, standard. Non-tilt, delay.

 

[BeachBoyBob]

Guys,

I decided all the hassel to try and make my '79 non-delay wiper system a delay model is more work than simply reaching over and pushing the button occasionally! Plus, If I keep my windsheild well Rain-X'd, the need for the delay wiper is greatly reduced.

I do greatly appreciate your help on this, because I was thinking the conversion simply required purchase of the IN_DASH delay wiper switch, and running another wire to my NON-Delay motor. Apparently no so. I do not recall the '79 Cutlass having the delay at the end of the turn indicator. I remember some little knob you turned at the end of the IN-Dash switch.

Has my memory mislead me??

BBB

 

[Bonnewagon]

If you actually have an in dash delay switch you are indeed blessed. Nowhere, anywhere, is it available except off a parts car. I've never even seen one let alone had one and I am not sure what year it migrated to the column, maybe 82'? But it's easy to get the column switch, swap it in and get a control stalk from a junkyard, they pop right out. Even an old style delay wiper motor is not hard to find, for cheap, and with it you have delay. In fact you can ground the green wire with a simple pushbutton and the wiper will cycle one time and not park. It's just the cost of the dang switch which is why I mentioned the JC Whitney module. It works, and I have it on my car. So for a $25 parts car delay wiper motor, $22 module, I'm in business.