Me too! 
Yow! %$@ wipers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
Yow! %$@ wipers
Two weeks ago I noticed that right around 70mph and over, my drivers side wiper was stroking way faster than usual. The symptom has progressed to the point where now, over 70 with the wipers on in any position, I get half the blade hanging off the windshield and the arm is crashing into the metal moulding around the windshield and taking paint off!
I haven't had a chance to look at the wiring diagrams yet but anyone have a clue what could be causing this kind of behavior?
Thx
I haven't had a chance to look at the wiring diagrams yet but anyone have a clue what could be causing this kind of behavior?
Thx
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
You don't mention the year.
earlier units have rather weak springs to hold the wipers to the windscreen. But that does not answer this problem.
There is an adjustment that can be made. The bolts that hold the wiper arms to the cowling can be loosened and adjusted.
Judging from you are describing, there is some wear in the wiper arms. I would not be surprised if the rod that actuates the arm, or, the motor itself, is worn or wearing out.
earlier units have rather weak springs to hold the wipers to the windscreen. But that does not answer this problem.
There is an adjustment that can be made. The bolts that hold the wiper arms to the cowling can be loosened and adjusted.
Judging from you are describing, there is some wear in the wiper arms. I would not be surprised if the rod that actuates the arm, or, the motor itself, is worn or wearing out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
duh, it's a '95. 175k miles and the last 70k of them here in Seattle so the wipers have been getting a good workout.
Worn mechanical parts, huh? OK, thanks for the clue.
Cheers,
Jay
Worn mechanical parts, huh? OK, thanks for the clue.
Cheers,
Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by JayH
duh, it's Seattle
Worn mechanical parts, huh? OK, thanks for the clue.
Cheers,
Jay
Worn mechanical parts, huh? OK, thanks for the clue.
Cheers,
Jay
Probably got worn out in the last month the way you guys have been getting soaked.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Maple Valley WA
JayH, were you able to fix this problem? My wipers don't necessarily go faster at high speeds, but at high speeds the drivers blade does go past the pilar, and scratch it.
Which part is the worn one that should be replaced?
thanks
Which part is the worn one that should be replaced?
thanks
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,940
Likes: 5
From: Chesapeake VA
I just fixed this on my 86'. The driver's side wiper would go beyond the winshield and the top 3 or 4 inches would be sticking out off the side of the car.
I watched Gordon Killebrew fix my friends 86' at the Forum Cruise In last year(Fozzy_Bear's car). Where the wiper blade attaches to the motor there are 2 10mm bolts in slots. You can loosen the 2 bolts and pull the wiper toward the engine and then retighten them.
When Gordon did this to my friends car I was shocked and amazed at how far he pulled the wiper into the engine compartment!
It worked like a charm after that, though.
Remember to do all your testing/measuring with the motor running as the voltage increase will affect the swing of the blades.
I watched Gordon Killebrew fix my friends 86' at the Forum Cruise In last year(Fozzy_Bear's car). Where the wiper blade attaches to the motor there are 2 10mm bolts in slots. You can loosen the 2 bolts and pull the wiper toward the engine and then retighten them.
When Gordon did this to my friends car I was shocked and amazed at how far he pulled the wiper into the engine compartment!
It worked like a charm after that, though.Remember to do all your testing/measuring with the motor running as the voltage increase will affect the swing of the blades.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Remember one other thing; when you loosten those nuts be careful. I believe the spacing and positioning is such that if the nut comes off it will be darn difficult to get it back on....so just loosen
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
You need to loosen the 10mm nut on the wiper arm for the driver's side and push the wiper down a bit, kinda past where the blade rests. Keep and hold it there, tighten back the bolt and then your driver's side wiper should be back into position without hitting the A-pillar. Worked perfectly for me. 
Funny story that goes along with this:
I was at the local dealership planning on having them adjusted and I was yelled at because I wasn't supposed to ask a dealer repair technician on how do it so my service advisor could charge me 2 hours of labor to adjust them. F*** that!! I didn't let him charge me because I asked for my keys back as soon as I overheard the foreman tech explain it to the stupid tech. While they were busy conversing, I read the tech manual that was sitting open right on top of my tire and learned in 20 seconds! Then off I went, adjusted them in a couple of *minutes* after I arrived to my work place. I was mighty glad I spared myself $194.74 of Corvette tax. F*** Michael Holley Chevrolet in Lakeland, FL!!!
Funny story that goes along with this:
I was at the local dealership planning on having them adjusted and I was yelled at because I wasn't supposed to ask a dealer repair technician on how do it so my service advisor could charge me 2 hours of labor to adjust them. F*** that!! I didn't let him charge me because I asked for my keys back as soon as I overheard the foreman tech explain it to the stupid tech. While they were busy conversing, I read the tech manual that was sitting open right on top of my tire and learned in 20 seconds! Then off I went, adjusted them in a couple of *minutes* after I arrived to my work place. I was mighty glad I spared myself $194.74 of Corvette tax. F*** Michael Holley Chevrolet in Lakeland, FL!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
I haven't even looked at mine yet.
I don't see how it could be a placement-setting-adjustment as the wipers retract fine every time and only end up off the windshield at high speeds - and even then, it doesn't happen with each sweep.
The speed of the sweep is also a lot greater when it happens. Before the wiper even gets an 1/8 of the way through its sweep, I know if it'll end up off the windshield or not by how fast it takes off.
I think I'll break out my FSM tonight and take a look.
I don't see how it could be a placement-setting-adjustment as the wipers retract fine every time and only end up off the windshield at high speeds - and even then, it doesn't happen with each sweep.
The speed of the sweep is also a lot greater when it happens. Before the wiper even gets an 1/8 of the way through its sweep, I know if it'll end up off the windshield or not by how fast it takes off.
I think I'll break out my FSM tonight and take a look.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
THe wiper is lifting off the glass at speed from a worn tension spring. You can remove the spring from the wiper arm and probably find a replacement at Home Depot or Lowes.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Maple Valley WA
My vette is my daily driver, and I live in Seattle!
I would expect a more consistent showing of the problem if it was a weak spring, but there's no telling whhen a sweep will be fast and off the windshield or when it will act like normal.
At this point I'm thinking a failing voltage regulator, windshield wiper motor assembly control board or related component, or a worn cam on the mechanical arm in the assembly.
I would expect a more consistent showing of the problem if it was a weak spring, but there's no telling whhen a sweep will be fast and off the windshield or when it will act like normal.
At this point I'm thinking a failing voltage regulator, windshield wiper motor assembly control board or related component, or a worn cam on the mechanical arm in the assembly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by drochau
you mean...you guys....drive...a....corvette....IN THE RAIN??!!!!?!?! 
Mine's a dd here in Seattle and so the wipers are used 7 - 9 months a year. Never had this issue but yep particularly C4's don't tend to melt in the rain
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,088
Likes: 0
From: Poop land
Damn guys, I'm using the factory 20" blades! Yeah, I adjusted them good enough that they don't collide with each other nor go off the A-Pillars. I'm glad that it only took me minutes, not hours to adjust them perfectly.