Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I have posted a few questions and find the willingness of others to help is extraordinary on this site. many thanks. As my 'handle' denotes, I am new at this - it is my first collectible car ever and I am on a very steep learning curve. I am, however progressing... now at the 'windshield wiper stage' on my '39 Six and simply - they don't work. I have read in the FAQ's that it is a vacuum motor and it looks like electric wires leading from the dash switch. Can anyone give me a starting point here? Are there any obvious 'probables' to check?? I understand there is a repair guy out there for the vacuum units; how can one check to see if that is the issue? Any help much appreciated.

The junior models had electric wipers in 40 but not sure about 39. If electric was not standard in 39 and that is what you have it is possible someone converted -- possibly by adding a later unit or, there were also some aftermarket J. C. Whitney 6v electric motors available up thru the 70s and maybe 80s for the purpose. I used one of those Whitney motors to convert wipers for a friend on his 39 120.

Is the under dash area clear enough in the middle you could get your head under and far enough back to visually see what is there?

The vacuum motor will be a zinc colored die cast semicircular affair basically all in the center under the switch and electric will have a mechanism in the center with a black electric motor extending off the end.

Here are a couple of photos as if looking thru a transparent car. These are the two factory offerings. Anything else would most likely be aftermarket.

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