Windshield wiper delay
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Windshield wiper delay
I have a 1965 with a windshield wiper issue. I thought that the wipers didn’t work, so I voltage checked everything I could get to and found no problems. Then the other day I had it out with the wiper switch on and about 15 minutes into the ride the wipers started to work. When I tried to shut them off, it took another 3 – 4 minutes before they stopped. I noticed in the voltage measuring exercise that there appeared to be a capacitor attached to the wiper switch. Is this a delay type capacitor and if this were degraded (it more than likely the original) would I get that extreme delay in activation? If this is not it, any other ideas?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
There's no delay device anywhere in the system. Check the black ground wire in the engine harness from the spade on the wiper motor to the outboard starter-to-block bolt (also grounds the heater blower motor). The motor gets 12V any time the key is on, and operates by grounding the blue wires both at the motor and at the wiper switch - if the motor and switch aren't properly grounded, it won't work. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,016
Likes: 331
From: Southeast Missouri
The wiper motor has a set of points inside the housing that are actuated by a cam arrangement. This allows the motor to continue running after you turn off the inside switch so the wiper blades will return to the "park" position. Many times the points will become corroded through non-use and when you turn on the wipers, they close but nothing happens. Then, while driving, a jolt or bounce may cause them to make contact, causing the wipers to run.
I'd suspect your cam/points arrangement may need rebuild, or at least a good cleaning. If you're not that mechanically inclined, there are good rebuild services available here on the forum. I've always taken care of my own, the internals are common to many early GM cars and trucks.
I'd suspect your cam/points arrangement may need rebuild, or at least a good cleaning. If you're not that mechanically inclined, there are good rebuild services available here on the forum. I've always taken care of my own, the internals are common to many early GM cars and trucks.
