Windshield wipers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
Windshield wipers
Ok I need some help. I installed a different motor and board in my car because my old one was broken and the blades didnt wipe.
I tested the new motor and it looks like its going around like it should but my wipers only move about 2 inches and dont wipe the windshield.
I havent pulled the arms yet as its dark out and I dont want to loose any small parts in the dark. I noticed that the shaft goes in the arm one of two ways, I ran the motor until it shut its self off and attached it in the down position. If I put the bracket on the other way it puts the blades off the edge of the windshield.
Could this just be that far out of adjustment? The hole in the arm is warn but it is still solid on the shaft.
Anyone want to go out and shoot me a video of the linkage and wiper motor moving?
Thanks
Jake
I tested the new motor and it looks like its going around like it should but my wipers only move about 2 inches and dont wipe the windshield.
I havent pulled the arms yet as its dark out and I dont want to loose any small parts in the dark. I noticed that the shaft goes in the arm one of two ways, I ran the motor until it shut its self off and attached it in the down position. If I put the bracket on the other way it puts the blades off the edge of the windshield.
Could this just be that far out of adjustment? The hole in the arm is warn but it is still solid on the shaft.
Anyone want to go out and shoot me a video of the linkage and wiper motor moving?
Thanks
Jake
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock for now, headed for Oklahoma
Ok I need some help. I installed a different motor and board in my car because my old one was broken and the blades didnt wipe.
I tested the new motor and it looks like its going around like it should but my wipers only move about 2 inches and dont wipe the windshield.
I havent pulled the arms yet as its dark out and I dont want to loose any small parts in the dark. I noticed that the shaft goes in the arm one of two ways, I ran the motor until it shut its self off and attached it in the down position. If I put the bracket on the other way it puts the blades off the edge of the windshield.
Could this just be that far out of adjustment? The hole in the arm is warn but it is still solid on the shaft.
Anyone want to go out and shoot me a video of the linkage and wiper motor moving?
Thanks
Jake
I tested the new motor and it looks like its going around like it should but my wipers only move about 2 inches and dont wipe the windshield.
I havent pulled the arms yet as its dark out and I dont want to loose any small parts in the dark. I noticed that the shaft goes in the arm one of two ways, I ran the motor until it shut its self off and attached it in the down position. If I put the bracket on the other way it puts the blades off the edge of the windshield.
Could this just be that far out of adjustment? The hole in the arm is warn but it is still solid on the shaft.
Anyone want to go out and shoot me a video of the linkage and wiper motor moving?
Thanks
Jake
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Lubbock for now, headed for Oklahoma
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
Yes it was seated all the way to the motor, I thought the same thing the first three times I put it on 
it seems odd that the linkage doesn't rotate and just moves side to side on the motor, thats why it would help to see a video. I found the adjustment information so I will try that in the morning.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
I know what your problem is.
There is a "pawl", for want of a better word, inside the wiper motor. It locks the center part of the output shaft from rotating when the wipers want to park. When the wipers want to sweep it should be pulled on by a little solenoid which releases the output shaft and lets it rotate 360 degrees in addition to oscillating. That is what is not happening here - it is staying locked all the time.
Take a look at the old motor with the pulse board off and you will see what I mean.
Either the solenoid is not getting power or there is something wrong with the solenoid.
There is a "pawl", for want of a better word, inside the wiper motor. It locks the center part of the output shaft from rotating when the wipers want to park. When the wipers want to sweep it should be pulled on by a little solenoid which releases the output shaft and lets it rotate 360 degrees in addition to oscillating. That is what is not happening here - it is staying locked all the time.
Take a look at the old motor with the pulse board off and you will see what I mean.
Either the solenoid is not getting power or there is something wrong with the solenoid.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
I know what your problem is.
There is a "pawl", for want of a better word, inside the wiper motor. It locks the center part of the output shaft from rotating when the wipers want to park. When the wipers want to sweep it should be pulled on by a little solenoid which releases the output shaft and lets it rotate 360 degrees in addition to oscillating. That is what is not happening here - it is staying locked all the time.
Take a look at the old motor with the pulse board off and you will see what I mean.
Either the solenoid is not getting power or there is something wrong with the solenoid.
There is a "pawl", for want of a better word, inside the wiper motor. It locks the center part of the output shaft from rotating when the wipers want to park. When the wipers want to sweep it should be pulled on by a little solenoid which releases the output shaft and lets it rotate 360 degrees in addition to oscillating. That is what is not happening here - it is staying locked all the time.
Take a look at the old motor with the pulse board off and you will see what I mean.
Either the solenoid is not getting power or there is something wrong with the solenoid.
The old setup did the same thing, I just thought it was the board because there was a big hole in the top of it.
You don't happen to have a schematic for the motor do you.
Thanks for the tip I work on it some more over the weekend.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
I don't have a diagram for your year. Our cars at the the opposite ends of the C4 line. I have the last year, you have the first.
If you look HERE and select the last diagram in the list you will get a schematic for the newer cars. I don't see one for an 84 but chances are they are the same.
The box that is marked "park relay" is the area of interest. I believe you will find that the light blue wire is the one that activates the solenoid that pulls on the control rod or pawl. It should have power on it whenever the wipers are on - low, high, or pulse. It should be dead when the wiper switch is in the off position.
The shop manual has a better diagram but I don't have any way of uploading right now.
That wire, unfortunately, goes right to the wiper switch. If the wire doesn't have a break in it then you are probably looking at replacing the switch.
If you look HERE and select the last diagram in the list you will get a schematic for the newer cars. I don't see one for an 84 but chances are they are the same.
The box that is marked "park relay" is the area of interest. I believe you will find that the light blue wire is the one that activates the solenoid that pulls on the control rod or pawl. It should have power on it whenever the wipers are on - low, high, or pulse. It should be dead when the wiper switch is in the off position.
The shop manual has a better diagram but I don't have any way of uploading right now.
That wire, unfortunately, goes right to the wiper switch. If the wire doesn't have a break in it then you are probably looking at replacing the switch.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Seattle WA
Yep, your "park switch" found inside the motor (not part of the cover) is bad. I've had this exact same thing happen to me - wipers jiggle but don't sweep - and swapping the park switch did the trick.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Lakeland Florida
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 309
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From: Lakeland Florida
The original cover was shot, it has a large hole in it and the insides look bad. The replacement I got from kg1922001 looks brand new inside.
Edit
After pulling the panel it looks like it could be the switch. I haven't had a chance to do the continuity test because I seem to have come down with the flu and just feel like crap.
The wipers will try to come on in the high and low side and when the button is pushed for the spray. But its intermittent. I will have to check out the wires after I start feeling better.
Why did they put these in the door? seems like there are better places to put the switch. Could be a new project. But right now I just want to get them working.
Last edited by Jake Dragon; Dec 28, 2008 at 01:25 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
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And guess what. Mine just crapped out completely. Dead. Nada.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
I really need this working, may have to just hot wire it
At this point I haven't had a chance to check the wires, the car has had some custom work done and something could have been cut by mistake. Its only a few wires so it shouldnt be too hard to sort out.
