'69 3 soeed windshield wiper motor

[tcurtis]

I knew when I bought my Charger that it needed a few things.  The more I got into it the longer the list grew but with some minor exceptions I'm down to a couple things, one of which is a new 3-speed windshield wiper motor.  My car is a '69 R/T and finding this part has been a bear.  I did some research and saw there are places that do an outstanding job rebuilding them.  While I will keep originality in mind I want to get it fixed now with, if possible, a less expensive replacement part if possible.  I was wondering if anyone knows the original part number for the 3-speed wiper motor or has any suggestions.  Also on a related note,  the wiper motor crank arm and bushing are missing.  Finding one will probably be difficult but if anyone knows of a source for the dimensions for this part I believe my uncle (a machinist) could make one for me.  Any help would be appreciated.  I want to get the car inspected as soon as possible and get out on the road.  Thanks.

[70 sublime]

How do you know your car came with a 3 spd wiper motor ?
Be sure when you are looking for the crank arm you get the proper one as a 2 spd and 3 spd arm are different

[tcurtis]

The current wiper motor appears to be the three-speed type and the switch has three running positions.  And as far as I can tell the R/T came standard with them (could be wrong, new to Mopar and Dodge, have a lot to learn).  The two-speed wiper motors seem to be readily available.  I'd switch over if it would make life easier but I want to try a direct replacement first if possible.

[Nacho-RT74]

Mopars needs money or patiente... and maybe on 30% of the cases, BOTH

[Lennard]

3 speed wiper motors are readily available and so are 3 speed wiper switches.  The 3 speed crank arm is being reproduced.

[birdsandbees]

Yep.. took me about 5 minutes to find a good one on Ebay and the crank arm.

[tcurtis]

I saw a nice one on e-bay for a '68.  I didn't know if it would fit.  Didn't see the crank arm but will look again immediately. 

[birdsandbees]

Was referring to when I bought mine... but there always seems to be some up on Ebay.

[tcurtis]

The issue I have is compatibility. Is a '68 the same as a '69 the same as a '70, etc.  In the photos I've seen they look quite similar but I do not know the intricacies of Mopar interchangeability.  But, I'm working on it. 

[birdsandbees]

They will all work..68/69/70. If you are not worried about the part number or the shape of the mechanism cover then they all work. My early build Bee is okay with the flat cover of the '68 motor. The 69 later models had a hump cover and it's the same for the 70's.

Look in my Bee restoration thread and you'll see the correct wiper motor for your '68.

[tcurtis]

That's actually what I needed to know.  At this point I just want it fixed,  originality/appearance is secondary.  I intend to hold on to my original parts and repair, rebuild, or replace with correct numbered parts over time but right now I want to drive!

[birdsandbees]

This is what I meant by "flat face".. would be correct on your '68 I suspect.

[tcurtis]

This is a photo from the front.  I have to remove it again but didn't quite get to it this evening.

[birdsandbees]

Are you sure it's the motor that is bad??? Is it the wiring or switch??

Easy to test the motor function with just a booster pack and some jumper wires, for both continuous run and parking functions.

[tcurtis]

My mechanic checked it.  Said the motor didn't run but got quite hot shortly after the switch was turned on.  He feels it's the motor.

[comet_666]

http://www.passion4mopars.com/
Kim has done outstanding work.

[Lennard]

http://www.passion4mopars.com/
Kim has done outstanding work.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/beware-kim-passion-for-mopars.126416/

[comet_666]

In my 2 experiences they have been perfect.   
Last one I got back from a few weeks ago, she fixed it for free.

[tcurtis]

I appreciate the info.

[tcurtis]

Well, I ordered a NOS 3-speed wiper motor.  It carries a part number of 2889982 which, coincidentally, is the same as the number on my motor.  My undetstanding is it is for a '68.  That isn't the part number listed for a '69 but as long as it works.  Now I just have to figure out why the previous owner had a fifth wire going into the connector....

[tcurtis]

The attached photo shows the connector for my old wiper motor.  If you look at the upper left corner (of the harness still plugged in) you will see a red wire going into the connector.  The wire is attached to a 30 amp in-line fuse (obviously not factory).  The other end disappears into a larger bundle of wires.  This red wire looks out of place (looks too "new") and pretty much fell out of the plug when I moved the wiper motor away from it's mount.  There is a blade inside the plug where that wire went so I'm not sure what was going on.  The plug on the motor I just purchased appears to only have four blades in it.  Any insight?  (Pics aren't all oriented properly but I think you'll get the drift)

[birdsandbees]

Someone feeding some accessory or ? in through what would be the reverse light wire spot for a 4 speed. It doesn't belong there in the context that you have with a fused red wire there. Shouldn't be too hard to follow that wire or see where it comes out in the harness bundle. Alternator.. fog light installation.. ? ?

[tcurtis]

I'm sort of afraid to unwrap it all but that's the only way to find out.  It is helpful to know what that spot on the connector is for.  Should help my search.  As with many of these cars the wiring has been "modified" so I'm not sure what is what.  I'm hopeful the new motor will fit/function properly.  Now all that is left is to find the appropriate crank arm and bushing.  Several on ebay but all seem to be right year,  wrong body style or wrong year, right body style.  I really do appreciate the help and info I have gotten here, and the patience with a Mopar novice.  I restored (restified) my '79 Firebird myself nineteen years ago and have a pretty good handle on the GM side of things.  But as has been said, even guys with dream cars have dream cars and a '69 Charger was "the other one" for me.  Just a couple more things......

[birdsandbees]

Should only have to take enough tape off that inline fuse to see what colour wire is heading into the bundle.. it has to pop out somewhere further up stream!

..and you might want to stick your head up under the dash.. see if there is a wire coming out the back side of the firewall/ bulkhead connector in the matching spot and if so, where does it go??

[tcurtis]

Good advice.  Hopefully I can give a quick check tomorrow.  I'm sure I'll have more questions after.

[tcurtis]

Well, did some checking the other day and found that the mystery wire seems to trace back to one of the leads on the electric choke on the aftermarket Edelbrock carburetor.  It appears to be spliced together with a wire that runs to a lead on the rear of the alternator.  Haven't figured that one out yet but presumably it has to do with supplying current to the choke. Can't quite get up under the dash far enough to see what it connected to on the inside yet.  But I will....