4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
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Car: 90' Firebird
Engine: 3.1
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-Bolt
4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
In process of installing a 4th gen steering column in my '90 and as I've read on multiple threads the switch isn't compatible with the 3rd gen motor.
The fix seems to be tearing into the column and swapping out the 4th gen switch for a 3rd gen one.
Is it possible to go the other way and change out the motor itself to a 4th gen?
My motor acted up a bunch with the original setup and I need to replace it with another 3rd gen but would rather do a 4th if it"ll work with the new column!
The fix seems to be tearing into the column and swapping out the 4th gen switch for a 3rd gen one.
Is it possible to go the other way and change out the motor itself to a 4th gen?
My motor acted up a bunch with the original setup and I need to replace it with another 3rd gen but would rather do a 4th if it"ll work with the new column!
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
In process of installing a 4th gen steering column in my '90 and as I've read on multiple threads the switch isn't compatible with the 3rd gen motor.
The fix seems to be tearing into the column and swapping out the 4th gen switch for a 3rd gen one.
Is it possible to go the other way and change out the motor itself to a 4th gen?
My motor acted up a bunch with the original setup and I need to replace it with another 3rd gen but would rather do a 4th if it"ll work with the new column!
The fix seems to be tearing into the column and swapping out the 4th gen switch for a 3rd gen one.
Is it possible to go the other way and change out the motor itself to a 4th gen?
My motor acted up a bunch with the original setup and I need to replace it with another 3rd gen but would rather do a 4th if it"ll work with the new column!
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 877
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From: Clark NJ
Car: 1988 Pontiac Transam GTA Notchback
Engine: 2003 Chevy 5.3 Vortec (325 cu)
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
I did this conversion, but I am having trouble with the park and delay. It parks vertically when doing a sweep. When off it parks down like it should. Also when i select delay, nothing happens until about 3-4 clicks with the stalk (4th gen stalk and switch). When I put it to thew lowest setting that allows it to turn on, it makes a sweep and comes back up and sits for a second vertical. Then keeps going. There is no delay.
The wiper motor is mounted with a bracket and the transmission mount for it ... I ground down the stub coming out of the motor and made it fit into the stock 3rd gen bracket. I wasn't able to use the 4th gen mount because there isn't enough room. Worst comes to worst, I will try to extend the stub and fit the 4th gen trans mount back on. The wipers work, but its really annoying and I want delay wipers.
My 3rd gen wiper motor is not use able, because the cover where the delay mechanism sits broke and pieces of the delay mechanism broke as well.
I saw that S10's used the same wiper motor as 4th gens but the stub that comes out of the motor is set up like for our cars, havent tried it.
Anyone willing to chime in?
The wiper motor is mounted with a bracket and the transmission mount for it ... I ground down the stub coming out of the motor and made it fit into the stock 3rd gen bracket. I wasn't able to use the 4th gen mount because there isn't enough room. Worst comes to worst, I will try to extend the stub and fit the 4th gen trans mount back on. The wipers work, but its really annoying and I want delay wipers.
My 3rd gen wiper motor is not use able, because the cover where the delay mechanism sits broke and pieces of the delay mechanism broke as well.
I saw that S10's used the same wiper motor as 4th gens but the stub that comes out of the motor is set up like for our cars, havent tried it.
Anyone willing to chime in?
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
I did this conversion, but I am having trouble with the park and delay. It parks vertically when doing a sweep. When off it parks down like it should. Also when i select delay, nothing happens until about 3-4 clicks with the stalk (4th gen stalk and switch). When I put it to thew lowest setting that allows it to turn on, it makes a sweep and comes back up and sits for a second vertical. Then keeps going. There is no delay.
The wiper motor is mounted with a bracket and the transmission mount for it ... I ground down the stub coming out of the motor and made it fit into the stock 3rd gen bracket. I wasn't able to use the 4th gen mount because there isn't enough room. Worst comes to worst, I will try to extend the stub and fit the 4th gen trans mount back on. The wipers work, but its really annoying and I want delay wipers.
My 3rd gen wiper motor is not use able, because the cover where the delay mechanism sits broke and pieces of the delay mechanism broke as well.
I saw that S10's used the same wiper motor as 4th gens but the stub that comes out of the motor is set up like for our cars, havent tried it.
Anyone willing to chime in?
The wiper motor is mounted with a bracket and the transmission mount for it ... I ground down the stub coming out of the motor and made it fit into the stock 3rd gen bracket. I wasn't able to use the 4th gen mount because there isn't enough room. Worst comes to worst, I will try to extend the stub and fit the 4th gen trans mount back on. The wipers work, but its really annoying and I want delay wipers.
My 3rd gen wiper motor is not use able, because the cover where the delay mechanism sits broke and pieces of the delay mechanism broke as well.
I saw that S10's used the same wiper motor as 4th gens but the stub that comes out of the motor is set up like for our cars, havent tried it.
Anyone willing to chime in?
Are you using the 3rd gen switch in the column with the 4th gen wiper motor? If you are, that is your problem. the 4th gen doesn't use the same resistances as the 3rd gen for the delay. I already tried "on the bench" and the delay didn't work
Also, the park is dependent on the orientation of the stop "stub". I was going to use a small bolt in the aluminum adapter I was making for the 73, I haven't finished all that though. But since it is smaller and cleaner looking, I am going to work on getting it to work in my 3rd gen now
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 877
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From: Clark NJ
Car: 1988 Pontiac Transam GTA Notchback
Engine: 2003 Chevy 5.3 Vortec (325 cu)
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
4th gen everything, except for the car itself - haha
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
I am not sure on the wiring, but maybe the switch is bad. The 4th gen column I bought from someone, the switch for the wipers is bad and one of the "clicks" doesn't work.
As far as the pause in the sweep, I think maybe you have the orientation of the transmission wrong in relation to where the wiper linkages are
As far as the pause in the sweep, I think maybe you have the orientation of the transmission wrong in relation to where the wiper linkages are
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 877
Likes: 2
From: Clark NJ
Car: 1988 Pontiac Transam GTA Notchback
Engine: 2003 Chevy 5.3 Vortec (325 cu)
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
I had that very same thought about the switch, even though it tested good, I bought a brand new ac Delco one and to no avail. I'm gonna have to revisit the transmission I guess. I need to replace the bracket I jacked together anyway, it isn't holding on by all three bolts to the firewall
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,506
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From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: 4th Gen wiper motor retrofit
Very interested in this. I am wiring my car 100% from scratch with a painless kit and would like to know how to wire the wiper motor. I have herd of some guys running old Nissan sentra wiper motors. They are supposed to fit, have delay and be very easy to wire. I am in the middle of a minitub right now, so this wiring stuff is down the road, but wanted to subscribe.
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