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Bad Wiper Motor?

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Old 11-15-2018, 04:35 PM
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Bad Wiper Motor?

Hi everyone,

I've done a search and believe that I know what my problem is, but I didn't want to resurrect a dead thread just to confirm that I think that I know what I'm talking about.

I'm sure lots of us have had this problem, but basically, my 1987 intermittent wipers don't move at all unless I turn them to high speed, and even then, they only move up and down an inch or so. No other movement on any other setting.

In other threads, some people say it's the contact points, others say its the motor itself, and a few say it's the electrical pigtail connector. My black circuit board looks brand new and all the contact points have been cleaned and look good. This makes me think it's the motor itself that needs replacing.

I've included a link to the video. If someone could tell me if this is indeed the problem, I would really appreciate it. With the black cover on OR off, the wipers do the exact same thing - makes no difference. Thanks for your help!


htt
Old 11-16-2018, 10:36 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

I am also trying to sort out my wipers.

I think your motor is fine. I think you might have an issue with the gearbox or the black box.

I wonder if your wipers are only using the park circuit?

I connected 12V to the small plug at the end of the motor and can get mine to work off the car. But I plan to open up the electronics and look for any issues.
Old 11-19-2018, 10:36 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

If I was having an issue with the gearbox, wouldn't I still just go ahead and replace the whole unit anyway?
Old 11-19-2018, 11:06 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Have you found the cover anywhere? If you can find the whole assembly I would definitely replace it all. But I think my problem is in the wiper cover circuit, I am going to see if I can find any bad diodes etc.
Old 11-19-2018, 03:13 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

How can the black cover be tested? With or without the cover on, my wipers operate the same.
Old 11-21-2018, 07:21 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Possibly your all in one wiper switch/turn signal handle could be bad.
Old 11-21-2018, 05:50 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

I like the beat that wiper is playing.Seriously though, id say its the park switch, which is the white piece the harness plugs into.I believe you can buy just the switch.
Old 11-21-2018, 06:49 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

I can't find the park switch anywhere. Can it even be purchased separate from the entire motor assembly?
Old 11-21-2018, 07:11 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

I see them on ebay, some new, some used.They can be pricey depending on the seller.I thought dorman and those type of companies made them.Maybe classic ind, but ive never checked there.
Old 11-26-2018, 12:58 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

I pulled my black wiper cover and there are a bunch of bad components I'm going to try to repair it and see if I can get it running again.


Old 11-26-2018, 10:45 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Have you checked the small two wire connector down on the bottom of the motor? If that's loose it might only run on the park circuit.

Just to see if mine works at all I plugged it in and ran it without the black cover. I have slow, fast and park just no intermittent.

When mine was on the bench if I applied 12V to the two connectors at the bottom of the motor I got slow, and fast speeds. Try that. If the motor works slow and fast then it's likely a bad switch assembly.
Old 11-27-2018, 02:05 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

For some reason, without touching anything else, I've now got JUST high speed. Didn't touch the thing, just decided to start working. Does this still sound it might be the switch assembly?

Actually, when you say switch assembly, what are you describing? The actual steering column switch assembly? Can these things even be fixed or do they just need replacing?

For example, are you referring to this part: https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...itch/65848_0_0

Or are you referring to the actual "stalk" - or both?

Last edited by DoctorStoopid; 11-27-2018 at 02:14 AM.
Old 11-27-2018, 11:16 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Its prob. the all in one turn signal stalk.

My 84 Zs wipers only worked on certain speeds and the delay was wonky also you had to fiddle with the cruise
control button to set yer speed. I replaced the stalk and everything works as it should.

The actual headlight "switch" that the stalk fits into is mounted onto the steering column.

https://www.autozone.com/collision-b...lever/112904_0
Old 11-27-2018, 11:19 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Originally Posted by sonjaab
Its prob. the all in one turn signal stalk.

My 84 Zs wipers only worked on certain speeds and the delay was wonky also you had to fiddle with the cruise
control button to set yer speed. I replaced the stalk and everything works as it should.

The actual headlight "switch" that the stalk fits into is mounted onto the steering column.

https://www.autozone.com/collision-b...lever/112904_0
So you reckon this doorman part, and not what I posted a link to earlier, is the culprit?
Old 11-27-2018, 11:28 AM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

First thing you should check is the ground bolt on the wiper motor. It's the upper bolt on the passenger side. Loosen it then retighten should clean up the connection.
​​​​​​
If that doesn't work use a multimeter to check for 12V at the small two wire switch on the bottom of the wiper motor. One wire is slow, one is fast.

If you don't have a multimeter (they are cheap at Harbor Freight, totally worth the investment) use a 12V wire to touch each of the two terminals on the wiper motor. If you have two speeds then it's likely a bad switch.

But do some more troubleshooting before spending any money.

​​
Old 11-27-2018, 10:56 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Originally Posted by DoctorStoopid
So you reckon this doorman part, and not what I posted a link to earlier, is the culprit?
The one you posted a link to is the turn signal/flashers switch, no wiper function there.
As for the stalk, there is no wiper function on it.The metal rod fits into a port on the column.When you rotate the stalk for the wipers that rod turns.
Which turns the port it plugs into.That piece is the actual wiper switch.The wire coming out of the stalk is strictly for the cruise control.

Wiper switch.
https://www.autozone.com/electrical-...27933_188578_0
Old 11-29-2018, 04:06 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Alright, followup!

I just bit the bullet and ordered a whole new motor/cover assembly from hawks. All speeds work great, it's super dope. BUT, new problem:

No washer fluid! I hear the pump TRYING to work and the tank is full, but nothing comes out. I'm not sure what the washer fluid cap SHOULD look like but... surely this is my problem right? If not, what else could it be?

Thanks!

Old 11-29-2018, 07:14 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

There should be a tube on that & it should reach the bottom of the reservoir.That tube would've had a screen on the end as well.
Old 11-29-2018, 08:38 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

In an effort to see what the problem is, i just pulled the hose off the cap and stuck it directly in the tank - tried to run the washer fluid and still the same result: I can hear the pump trying to do its thing, but nothing comes out. Does the cap make all the difference or if the pump is good, should this, in theory, have worked?
Old 11-29-2018, 09:29 PM
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Re: Bad Wiper Motor?

Yes, it shouldve worked.Part of the problem is that crappy pump on motor design.It cavitates too easily, because the pump is higher, the water flows back into the reservoir when not in use.This makes the pump suck air instead when you run it.If you suck on the pump end of the hose & reinstll it to the pump.Then run the system it usually works, but eventually the water draws back out into the reservoir.

Also those pumps burn out frequently or the impeller clogs up and water stops flowing thru, but id at least try drawing water into the hose manually.Then reattach it to the pump & run it to see if the pump is still viable.Another idea, hold a container of water higher than the pump & let gravity flow water down to the pump.This will keep the hose filled & water will be drawn to the pump instantly.

Last edited by 84 1LE; 11-29-2018 at 09:36 PM.
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