Wiper problems again!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 4
From: . New Zealand
Wiper problems again!
Had this problem of the wiper not working after afew uses, eg when it is light rain and lack of intermitant wpers cause the wipers to be used briefly but often.
Mine work ok for about 3 times, then won't work. If you stop and restart the car, they work fine.
I have done the following:
- replaced the wiper switch
- earthed the switch
- earthed the wiper motor body
One thing I was wondering, there seems to be nothing that prevents the wiper switch plug from being reverse installed, what happens if that is the case?
Also, the wipers do self park, is there something to do with the adjustment of the drive rods that could affect the self park. The reason is, the drivers side wiper over reaches the side trim about 2" when used on the highway, despite being adjusted exactly per the AIM. I seem to have read somewhere that the drive rods can be mixed up, side for side, any views on that?
Mine work ok for about 3 times, then won't work. If you stop and restart the car, they work fine.
I have done the following:
- replaced the wiper switch
- earthed the switch
- earthed the wiper motor body
One thing I was wondering, there seems to be nothing that prevents the wiper switch plug from being reverse installed, what happens if that is the case?
Also, the wipers do self park, is there something to do with the adjustment of the drive rods that could affect the self park. The reason is, the drivers side wiper over reaches the side trim about 2" when used on the highway, despite being adjusted exactly per the AIM. I seem to have read somewhere that the drive rods can be mixed up, side for side, any views on that?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
the tab on the side of the wiper plug should face the passenger side. If it's reversed installed the wipers will only come on when the washer is depressed and in my case the fuel gauge went all the way past full when I figured this out (thanks to the help of the cf forum members). I reversed he plug and presto the wipers and fuel gauge worked.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 4
From: . New Zealand
OK, mine doesn't do that, the switch seems to have the right positions for the operation required, so I had better look at other things. I also saw in another thread from a search that relay problems could cause the intermittant operative failure. Anyone had relay problems, and is there a simple failure test that can be performed to establish correct operation of the relay?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 4
From: . New Zealand
Anyone tell me where is the wiper relay is on a '76?
Also how do you test a relay to see if it is ok?
Also I found a flexible metal strap coming from the base of the wiper motor transmission which has been grounded by a connecting wire back to the engine block, this does not appear to be correct, should that be grounded someplace else like to the motor body?
Also how do you test a relay to see if it is ok?
Also I found a flexible metal strap coming from the base of the wiper motor transmission which has been grounded by a connecting wire back to the engine block, this does not appear to be correct, should that be grounded someplace else like to the motor body?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Don't know if this will help, but I had problems with my wipers years ago. I took the motor off and tested it with leads to a 12 volt battery. The motor worked so I knew it was something else. I got a Relay Switch - Latch and Terminal Assembly at the GM dealer and replaced it. It is located inside the wiper motor gear box. The leads have to be un-soldered to remove it and the new leads on the new relay soldered back in. Mine has been working fine for twenty years now since I replaced the relay.
Re-check your wiper blades to make sure you don't have them installed backwards. Hard to describe, but look at how they are attached to the wiper arms.
Re-check your wiper blades to make sure you don't have them installed backwards. Hard to describe, but look at how they are attached to the wiper arms.
Last edited by stock76; Jun 4, 2008 at 09:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 4
From: . New Zealand
Don't know if this will help, but I had problems with my wipers years ago. I took the motor off and tested it with leads to a 12 volt battery. The motor worked so I knew it was something else. I got a Relay Switch - Latch and Terminal Assembly at the GM dealer and replaced it. It is located inside the wiper motor gear box. The leads have to be un-soldered to remove it and the new leads on the new relay soldered back in. Mine has been working fine for twenty years now since I replaced the relay.
Re-check your wiper blades to make sure you don't have them installed backwards. Hard to describe, but look at how they are attached to the wiper arms.
Re-check your wiper blades to make sure you don't have them installed backwards. Hard to describe, but look at how they are attached to the wiper arms.
I would still like to know what the strap with the 1/4" hole is for.
I am also going to have a look at the fuse panel to ensure nothing is loose. It's our winter time here now, so we need our wipers. We actually can use our Vettes in winter unlike a lot of your areas apparently.
