'53 Merc vacuum wiper switch

E

Eddie Morgan

Member
Is anyone here familiar with the vacuum wiper/washer switch on 1953 Mercurys? My wipers work just fine, but when I push the washer button, I hear a slight hissing sound coming from the switch.
My question is this: Is this normal, maybe to break the vacuum to the pump for fluid, or do I have a problem? As it stands, my windshield washer doesn't work. I have NOS assembly I installed and I'm not sure where to go from here. My hope is to keep everything original, as much as possible.
 
I have attached pictures of the vacuum wiper system for the 53' Merc.

The red line represent the cable to control the speed of the wipers.

The two tubes coming out of the side of the wiper switch, are for the washer bottle. One (arrow #2) goes to the vacuum supply and the other (arrow # 1) goes to the washer bottle vacuum hose. If you are hearing a hissing, the one going to the vacuum hose is hooked up and the one gong to the washer bottle isn't. The button on the front of the switch, just opens up the vacuum lines to the washer bottle.

On the washer bottle, one of the hoses goes to the wiper switch (arrow #1), the other goes to the feed for the washer nozzles (arrow # 3).

Hope this helps.
 

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petehoovie,

Thank you for the blow ups. I reread the post and though a few arrows, were in order to clarify the explanation.

Roy
 
Merc Cruzer said:
I have attached pictures of the vacuum wiper system for the 53' Merc.

The red line represent the cable to control the speed of the wipers.

The two tubes coming out of the side of the wiper switch, are for the washer bottle. One (arrow #2) goes to the vacuum supply and the other (arrow # 1) goes to the washer bottle vacuum hose. If you are hearing a hissing, the one going to the vacuum hose is hooked up and the one gong to the washer bottle isn't. The button on the front of the switch, just opens up the vacuum lines to the washer bottle.

On the washer bottle, one of the hoses goes to the wiper switch (arrow #1), the other goes to the feed for the washer nozzles (arrow # 3).

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much !!!! Both hoses are connected to the switch, but they're old lines. It appears I have a break in one of them ..... and I'll replace them if it ever quits raining here. LOL I wanted to get an idea of what could possibly help before I started pulling things out. I don't care for "plug and play" tactics :P
 
You could also have a broken washer vacuum pump (plastic) in the washer bottle. You might want to pull it out and check for cracks.

We are currently getting a break from the rain, but it is supposed to start up again this afternoon and rain for the next 7 days. We are also getting smoke from the fires in Canada. Per the news last night, they are supposed to have over a million acres on fire currently.
 

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Merc Cruzer said:
You could also have a broken washer vacuum pump (plastic) in the washer bottle. You might want to pull it out and check for cracks.

We are currently getting a break from the rain, but it is supposed to start up again this afternoon and rain for the next 7 days. We are also getting smoke from the fires in Canada. Per the news last night, they are supposed to have over a million acres on fire currently.
Click to expand...

I've checked everything I can get to, found a leak and replaced the tubing. I'm thinking it's all original (or near) tubing .... hard as can be and breaks before it bends. LOL I still hear a little hiss when I press the washer button, but my wipers work just fine and I'm gonna leave it alone for now, befor frustration causes me to make a silly mistake.
Now it's on to another problem ..... rear diff drain plug. It's a square drive, but too large for 1/4" and too small for 3/8" drive. As a retired machine repairman, I've seen a lot of square and hex drive plugs over the years, but nothing like this. Any thoughts?
 
The little button on the knob controls a vacuum valve that is on the other end of the wiper actuator control assembly. The wiper motor is cable controlled to operate it's vacuum valve but the windshield washer system has it's vacuum actuator on the reservoir jar assembly and that little button controls the vacuum to it.

If you hear hissing then you are hearing a vacuum leak. This link illustrates the waher pump internal workings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y3OsCkTZ9Q
 
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