I would like to be able to test my wiper switch in the steering column without having to go through all the trouble of removing the steering wheel and getting down into the steering column. What would be the best approach here? I don't want to do a ton of work (opening up the steering column) or spend a ton of money (new wiper switch) unless I can confirm somehow that the switch is most likely bad.

 

are u sure thats even the problem? is your problem that your wipers dont work?

 

No, I am not sure, but it is either the wiper motor or the switch. I already tried a new circuit board on the wiper moter with no change. Right now, the blades are stuck on the windshield and won't go to the park position. This is just the culmination of years of various issues (intermittent not working, low speed not working, swiping 30 times before going to park after turning off, etc. etc.). I have ignored the problem up until now since I didn't drive it in the rain much and the high speed worked.

 

I'm having issues with my wipers as well. I just bought an '86 IROC and the wipers are kind of screwy. They don't work on the high setting but work fine on low setting with no problems. When I flip it to high they stop and don't move. I'm away at college and my dad told me now they don't turn off at all.

How did you work out your issue if you did? What was wrong with it?

 

Disconnect plug at motor with a dvom (digital volt meter) test the wires and see if its receiving voltage while switch is on

 

No, I put this issue on the backburner and have not fixed it yet, but want to get back into it. Testing for voltage on the wires is a good idea but there are three wires on the motor plug. Which of them should be probed with the positive and negative leads from the voltmeter in order to check for voltage?

 

On mine green is low (red lead) black to ground switch in low purple is high(red lead) black to ground and so on and if i can remeber correctly grey for delay and pink for wash the pink and grey might be the other way around but i know the green and purple are correct if you take off the cover under the colomn you should have a plug with all the colors + white the white is 12v to the switch u can back probe all colors there mines an 84 z so it could vary slightly depending on year

 

I am getting almost 12 volts on the purple wire with the high speed on but nothing with the other wire (which is yellow on mine) in low speed. Does this mean the switch is definitively bad?

 

Well kinda sounding that way but if your getting 12v on purple is the wiperes working on high?? U can always find a 12v with key on probaly the white wire and jump it to the yellow so your just bypassing the switch if wipers work then ya i would say its the switch but if there not working in high or any other setting sence you have 12v on purple might be both Even though your bypassing the switch sometimes its still nessary to still turn it while checking other setting

 

Yes, the wipers work in high. That is the ONLY setting in which they work.

 

Yes, you can test the switch by pulling the wires at the wiper motor. I have an 86 IROC and the GM repair manual, but I don't know if can be of assistance since the wire color may be different.