Haunted windshield wipers?

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Feb 17, 2012 | 06:54 PM

Turbotrad

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 276

Likes: 5

From: Aptos, CA

Haunted windshield wipers?

My wipers always hit the wiper door before it opens.

I tried to adjust the wiper door limit switch plunger and nothing changed.

I then adjusted the plunger all the way out so that with the wiper door fully open the plunger wasn't even touching the limit switch. The wipers still operated.

While the wipers were operating I pressed the limit switch in and out and it didn't change the operation. The wipers kept on wiping away.

Is there something I'm not understanding here? How can the wipers operate regardless of the condition of the limit switch?

Feb 18, 2012 | 07:43 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,134

Likes: 4,206

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi T,
I'd think it means the switch isn't working. Something is stuck inside. It thinks the button is pushed even when it's not.
BOY! That's a very 'high tech' reply!
Any chance of prying the switch open to see what's in there?
I did that to one of my headlight door switches with success.
Regards,
Alan

Feb 18, 2012 | 11:35 AM

Easy Mike

Team Owner

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 38,923

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan 71

...I'd think it means the switch isn't working...

I think you're dead on.

Feb 18, 2012 | 03:27 PM

Turbotrad

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 276

Likes: 5

From: Aptos, CA

It's confusing because the wipers still operate.

If the switch IS bad I wonder how the wipers can still run.

Feb 18, 2012 | 06:36 PM

patraw03

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 97

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From: Wellesley Island New York

Quote:

If the switch IS bad I wonder how the wipers can still run

If there is a short, it would still allow the wipers to run, if that is the case

Quote:

Any chance of prying the switch open to see what's in there?

This would be the best bet because a short would be easy to fix, run a multimeter you should be able to find the problem.

Feb 18, 2012 | 07:00 PM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 8,918

Likes: 27

From: New Hill NC

You can unplug it.

If it still works someone has wired around it or something is wrong inside the motor.

Feb 19, 2012 | 06:05 PM

mark6669

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,939

Likes: 199

From: Palm Bay Florida

Unplug the switch connect ohm meter across switch terminals push button see if it opens and closes it sounds like it is stuck closed should be a very quick and easy test.
Mark

Feb 21, 2012 | 02:16 AM

Turbotrad

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 276

Likes: 5

From: Aptos, CA

I think someone might have wired around it. When unplugged the wipers still operate.

I'll have to investigate, although I could leave it as is and just open the wiper door separately using the bypass switch under the dash. I just get curious and chase problems. I think it's because I own a 43 year old car with no written history of changes/modifications.