My wipers sometimes get tangled up when turned on.
What causes that ?
Are there different wiper arms that can prevent them from tangling up ?
I am concerned because when they lock up and stay tangled they caused a surge that burned out my fusible link and killed the car.

July 349

 

Year might help. Are they loose or stripped on the posts?

 

They are most likely out of time and getting them back in time can be a pita. The factory service manual probably has a procedure but this is how I try to do it:

First remove both wiper arms, which can be a pita by itself.

Then cycle the wiper motor a couple of times, allowing it to go to the park position each time.

Now the tricky part, trying to determine the correct orientation of the arms. On my '86 when the arms are parked the driver side arm is the lower arm, beneath the passenger side arm. There are three supports for the arms, one on for each arm, a tower like support in approx. the middle of each arm and a third support, a metal bracket in the middle above the distributor.

The driver side arm rests on the 'tower' and the middle support when parked. The wiper blade of the driver side is at a 20-30 degree angle when parked.

The passenger side arm rests on the 'tower' on the passenger side and the wiper blade is approx. parallel to the dash with the tip approx 1/4in from the driver side arm.

You don't have to 'lock' the arms on to the 'drive posts' to test, but they do have to on fairly tight or they will come/fly off, so be careful. Spray your windshield with water and give it a try. You most likely will have to adjust a couple of times.

When you are satisfied 'lock' the arms on and give it a try on high. Hopefully all is good.

 

Hi

I use a smaller windshield wiper on one side, due to any jerking movement of wipers it can cause them to catch and jam.

Have done this many years ago they have never had a problem since.