1985 Wipers not working
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
1985 Wipers not working
Haven't worked since I bought the car. Swapped the motor for a known good motor (already had the whole top end off anyway), and still nothing. I turned the key to 'on' so the dashboard lights, then flipped the wipers switch on the door-that should've turned them on, right?
I checked the fuse, it's good. Swapped anyway just to eliminate it. The 2-prong plug at the bottom of the motor is power, right? I used a volt meter and there's nothing coming to that plug at any time.
I tried looking in the FSM but couldn't find any diagnostics for the wiper electrical system, can someone help me out? Thanks!
I checked the fuse, it's good. Swapped anyway just to eliminate it. The 2-prong plug at the bottom of the motor is power, right? I used a volt meter and there's nothing coming to that plug at any time.
I tried looking in the FSM but couldn't find any diagnostics for the wiper electrical system, can someone help me out? Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 25
From: Rockford Illinois
When mine stopped working on my 1985 I did a boatload of checking many things only to find out the connections to the motor were dirty. Once I cleaned out that plug connection the motor/wipers fired right back up. I should have done that first.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,377
Likes: 2,735
Diagnostics and "voltage checks" are the next few pages following the wiring diagram. Pretty straight forward. The only thing that might complicate diagnostics from the FSM I believe is if the motor had been replaced with a later GM motor, then I believe a short harness was required for early cars.
Should likely be a label with a part # on the wiper motor. You mention swapping so was the label # the same? What # is on the label?
***If you're unsure about the wiring diagram/diagnostics the connector images are on page 274. The '85 FSM is a little different format than I'm accustomed to but should be titled HARNESS CONNECTOR FACES.
Should likely be a label with a part # on the wiper motor. You mention swapping so was the label # the same? What # is on the label?
***If you're unsure about the wiring diagram/diagnostics the connector images are on page 274. The '85 FSM is a little different format than I'm accustomed to but should be titled HARNESS CONNECTOR FACES.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 16, 2017 at 08:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Yes the motor was exactly the same, connectors visually appear to be clean, and I tested with a volt meter as well, so I don’t think a dirty connector is the issue.
Page 274 you say? I was having trouble locating the wiring and diagnostics for the wipers I then FSM. It said to check section 8a but in the table of contents there isn’t an 8a, it goes straight to 8b...
Could be the door switch, I have a spare of that as well that’s known to work, I can try it out when I take the doors off to do the aftermarket speakers swap at some point down the line.
Page 274 you say? I was having trouble locating the wiring and diagnostics for the wipers I then FSM. It said to check section 8a but in the table of contents there isn’t an 8a, it goes straight to 8b...
Could be the door switch, I have a spare of that as well that’s known to work, I can try it out when I take the doors off to do the aftermarket speakers swap at some point down the line.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,377
Likes: 2,735
Yes the motor was exactly the same, connectors visually appear to be clean, and I tested with a volt meter as well, so I don’t think a dirty connector is the issue.
Page 274 you say? I was having trouble locating the wiring and diagnostics for the wipers I then FSM. It said to check section 8a but in the table of contents there isn’t an 8a, it goes straight to 8b...
Page 274 you say? I was having trouble locating the wiring and diagnostics for the wipers I then FSM. It said to check section 8a but in the table of contents there isn’t an 8a, it goes straight to 8b...
If you haven't found the diagnostics how have you determined your voltage checks were correct? Your original post hinted that you were guessing!!
The 8E section actually has some very good information for wiring.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 16, 2017 at 08:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
oh? where would that be...? I didn't know there was a switch on the motor.
EDIT: If you are referring to the wiper motor assembly, I have swapped it out for a complete motor assembly from another car where it is known to be working correctly. So I think any parts on the wiper motor assembly itself are known good at this point.
EDIT: If you are referring to the wiper motor assembly, I have swapped it out for a complete motor assembly from another car where it is known to be working correctly. So I think any parts on the wiper motor assembly itself are known good at this point.
Last edited by Bfenty; Oct 16, 2017 at 09:42 AM. Reason: More info
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 25
From: Rockford Illinois
oh? where would that be...? I didn't know there was a switch on the motor.
EDIT: If you are referring to the wiper motor assembly, I have swapped it out for a complete motor assembly from another car where it is known to be working correctly. So I think any parts on the wiper motor assembly itself are known good at this point.
EDIT: If you are referring to the wiper motor assembly, I have swapped it out for a complete motor assembly from another car where it is known to be working correctly. So I think any parts on the wiper motor assembly itself are known good at this point.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 347
Likes: 25
From: Rockford Illinois
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 164
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
