Need Help - 83 Chev Wiper Switch

fortop · February 2, 2003

I need some help in replacing an intermittent (pulse) wiper switch on a 83 Chevy C20 pickup I bought recently. I assume that it should be intermittent because it has a small white arrow on the knob. I just ordered a replacement switch from Rock Auto but I went out the to truck and noticed that the knob is pressed on - no sign of a set screw holding it on. Can the knob be yanked off and reused on the new switch, or do I need to buy a new knob also? My past experience tells me when you yank a knob off and try to reinstall it on another shaft - it never works out. Looks like the knob was pressed on at the factory, but it looks like the small face plate will have to be in place before you press the knob on - can this be done by the amateur at home?

Thanks

95 Silverado · February 3, 2003

If I remember correctly from my '83 truck, when you remove the dash bezel it exposes the wiper switch, the switch assembly will come out of the dash without removing the knob. Your new switch will probably have a knob already on it.

fortop · February 3, 2003

Thanks, 95. When you pull the dash cover off, the wiper switch seems to be attached to the dash by two screws which hold the plastic bezel on the the dash. This bezel appears to be between the knob and the dash, so it looks like the knob has to come off - unless the bezel and knob come with the new switch? Maybe for $30 I should get the whole works - but I rather doubt it. I should have the switch in a few days and I will let you know what it looks like.

fortop · February 8, 2003

The wiper switch has the plastic bezel, shaft, and knob all attached in one unit. I pulled the old switch out after pulling out the instrument bezel and loosening part of the dash cover and it went in easy. The switch works in an unusual way - looks like 3 speeds, but the wipers will stop without returning to the full down position, unless your "pulse" the wipers by holding the knob to the left until the wipers reach the lowest position. For $30 including shipping from Rock Auto, I think GM(Delco) was very nice to include all of the parts.