wiper questions- two speed/three speed/variable

[priderocks]

Help me sort this out for year 70 e-bodies. Are all wiper motors the same, and the differences (2 speed, 3 speed, variable) determined by the switch? Are there two speed, three speed, and variable speed wiper motors that must be matched up to the appropriate switch? Will two or three speed switches hook up to the harness (a rallye harness in this case) and still operate the motor? The reason I ask is that my variable speed switch went kaput, and if I could use a cheaper 2 or 3 speed switch in its place that's fine with me. I don't care how many speeds the thing has. The variable speed jobbers are expensive.

[moparmaniac59]

Not sure about the wiring harness, but 3 speed and two speed wiper motors are not the same. Nor are the switches.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You can use a 3-speed switch with your motor. You CAN'T use a 3-speed switch, with a 2-speed motor.

[moparmaniac59]

And you can't use a two speed switch with a 3 speed motor. I had a '70 Cuda that had a 3 speed motor. Apparently the switch went bad and the previous owner replaced it with a two speed wiper switch. The wipers would never work right. I did some troubleshooting and found that I had a factory 3 speed motor installed, but the switch (that had been replaced) was a two speed switch. The two won't work together. I needed a 3 speed switch to go with the 3 speed motor.

[moparmaniac59]

If you go to the vendor section here, under 'companies' and look for "Jules the wiper man" He repairs/overhauls wiper motors. You could PM him or he has a link in his thread. I have no doubt that he could answer all your wiper questions, may have the parts you need or could tell you exactly where to get what you need!! Hope this helps!!

                                                   Matt B.

[priderocks]

So, are there three speed and variable speed wiper motors?

[VTMopar]

Yes..... and the linkage is different too!

VT Mopar

[JayBee]

Interesting...I always thought that the "3-speed" and "variable speed" motors were the same, that it was the switch that determined how it operated. Also, as far as I know/think the linkage is only different between the 2-speed and 3-speed/variable motors; meaning the 3-speed/variable use the same linkage which is different from the 2-speed set-up.

[priderocks]

So, when you buy an aftermarket harness, you have a choice of rallye or non-rallye. I assume all rallye clusters came with either a three-speed or variable speed motor, the switches for which must use the same connector on the harness. So, a nonrallye car came with the two speed as standard equipment? Was a variable speed wiper an option? If so, how did the factory accomadate that option on the harness?

[4Cruizn]

A member on here  . . slotts rebuilds wiper switches and is what I would call the cc.com wiper switch expert.  I had the same problem with my 70 convertible . . . I had a variable speed motor and a 2 speed switch.   Didn't work well together.  Slotts set me up and now I have the proper equipment!   

[VTMopar]

       I misread the question (thouht it was between 2 and 3 speed motors).... I think John is correct - the only difference between 3 speed and variable is the switch......    Sorry about the confusion.....

VT Mopar

[doncarson]

Not to hijack the thread but. My 73 Cuda w/ rallye dash has a two speed switch and a three speed motor. The guy didn't  have the wiper lnikage hooked up to the motor when I bought it. I hooked them up and the wiper arms start to work them jamb up and don't move.
 
Should I get a two speed motor or is there something I'm missing.

[moparmaniac59]

Hey doncarson,
 
You've got the wrong switch. A two speed switch won't work properly with a 3 speed motor. I sent you a PM!!



                                   Matt B.