Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

My '48 Custom has a windshield washer system installed, but it doesn't work.

Is there a correct position in the engine bay for the washer jar and vacuum pod to be mounted? How are the washers activated? And where on the dash (or under it) is the washer activation button typically mounted? Does anyone have a picture of it?

On the pre 51 models it typically mounted on the right inner fender panel as this illustration from the accessory brochure shows. There could be some variations in the exact mounting spot depending on other accessories that might be in that right side area. In your car for example, the heater would force it more toward the middle of the panel but in the photos of a 47 posted in the thread "47 Super Clipper -- Help with Value" you can see it closer to the firewall. Since it could also be a dealer installed accessory, sometimes dealer mechanics or even an owner had preferences that did not necessarily follow factory recommendations..

As to the hookup in the engine compartment, it is essentially that a hose for vacuum to operate the washer is connected to a port on the wiper motor and a hose for water out goes thru the firewall where it tees to supply the two nozzles. One thing of note is where the vacuum supply hose for the washer connects to the wiper motor. The illustration shows it on the right side which typically is where the motor vacuum supply is located. I suspect that illustration may be incorrect because in all later illustrations and installs, the washer connection is on a port at about the same relative location but is on the left or drivers side of the motor.




For operation on the 22nd thru 53 models, the windshield wiper knob on the side of the steering column is used to start the washer. Prior to 51 there was no mention of a washer in the owners manuals. While the jar and pump was different, operating instructions were the same so here are instructions from a later owners manual. All you are doing by turning the knob forward or away from you against a spring is moving the motor valve to a position which allows vacuum from the motor supply to connect to the port and hose going to the washer. A few seconds of vacuum to the pump will cause a diaphragm to move and fill a chamber with fluid. When the knob is released and vacuum is cut off again, a spring forces the diaphragm down and fluid out to the nozzles. In systems prior to late 53, when washing the windshield you need to control the wiper blades manually by turning the knob to the wiper position as the fluid squirts.

I actually installed one of these on my 23rd series a couple of weeks ago. One of the few things I've done that just worked immediately. I used the Trico packet you can find in the Literature Archive to collect the parts. For me, I purchased a set of nozzles that screw into the wiper arm housing (connections for the hoses were already there under the dash). The washer kit came with the glass jar with the vacuum assembly, some vacuum hose and hose for carrying your solvent, a brass splitter to send fluid to both nozzles, the button to call for vacuum to the washer, and a "T" for splicing into your vacuum line (with the appropriate reduction in size for the vacuum lines).

I probably deviated some from what was "correct," but it worked for me. First, I mounted the jar next to the battery. I just didn't want to add a whole 'nother thing on the manifold/carburetor side of the car, so I took advantage of the space available. No regrets.

Next, I installed the vacuum button next to my ignition switch. Nothing else really made sense to me, and again, there's plenty of room to get to the ignition switch if needed. The antennae vacuum lines are a much bigger PITA anyways. With the switch, one line runs to wherever you pickup your vacuum, the other to the top of the diaphragm.

With regard to where to pickup vacuum, I opted not to use the port on the motor and instead tied into my antennae lines that are under constant vacuum. This way, I can get solvent on the glass before the wipers start moving.

Operation: hold the vacuum button down for one or two seconds. When you let go, solvent should spray on the glass. Turn your wipers on using the column-mounted knob to wipe away solvent and dust. Enjoy the somewhat improved visibility!

Here's a video I made of the install!

youtube.com/shorts/IP8NipS87Zs?si=7_i3vDpLve24oNIc

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The pushbutton valve was used 47 and earlier because of the different wiper motors. Typically the valve was mounted on a small bracket screwed onto the lower dash edge, the exact location being somewhat dependent on what other accessories also had controls on the dash edge.

When the washer was introduced in the prewar years around 1942 introduction, Clippers and 110 models had electric wipers so no vacuum motor or much of a vacuum supply at all. I believe the senior prewars that did have vacuum motors had basic on/off wiper controls with a bit of speed adjust but motors did not have an extra port to attach the washer vacuum hose. The postwar 21st series 46-7 models also had electric wipers and only had a single small vacuum port suitable for hoses and mostly used for the optional vacuum antenna. That constant vacuum supply hose is where the washer could be attached so those washers also needed the pushbutton.

48 and later models thru 53 with the newer wiper motors and cable operated control had an extra port (brass nipple on the upper drivers side of motor in your photo above) controlled by the wiper valve so it was a no brainer to take advantage of that and combine the two functions so both could be operated with a single control knob. Late 53 thru 56 washers were electrically operated via a pushbutton in the center of the 53-4 wiper knob or by pushing the entire knob in 55-6. Starting the 54-6 washer also activated a separate vacuum controlled item mounted to the wiper motor to start blades moving as soon as fluid appeared and turning motor off a couple of strokes after the fluid squirt stopped.

I'll need to mess with that tomorrow on mine, but lightbulb moment. There's what feels like a spring-loaded resistance at the upper end of the rotation of the wiper knob. So I'm guessing that's how you got the wiper motor valve to open - rotate the knob until the spring resistance engages to open the valve for a second or two, build pressure, and release? I didn't even think about that, but it makes sense.

Figured this out! My cable needed an adjustment (I would only get resistance rocking the knob back, not forward), but basically, rock the wiper knob FORWARD (or counterclockwise - however you want to think about it) through the spring resistance, hold for a couple of seconds, release (it should start spraying), and rotate the knob back to turn the wipers on. If the knob won't rotate to anything that feels like spring-loaded tension going forward, your cable needs an adjustment at the motor.

youtube.com/shorts/N_sWG-PeioI?si=gyMWawtks2onB3RH

So, at least this saves some folks the trouble of having a big hole to fill in their dash! Ugh. Onward!

The washer pump works a lot like a fuel pump, except that manifold vacuum powers it. On a '52 Cadillac, there is a button on the wiper control knob that you would hold down for a few seconds. That would cause the pump diaphragm to draw in a charge of washer fluid. When you released the button, the vacuum bled off and spring would force the fluid out of the washer jets for several seconds. It worked very well.

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You got it! On my '53 when you turn the knob to activate the washers, if you hold it, the plunger will trip and release once it's pulled to the top pumping out the max amount of washer fluid, which is actually quite a bit. It's a cool accessory.

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