Bfenty

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!

TBSS/85vette

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.

Cjunkie

Switch on the door?

WVZR-1

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.

Bfenty

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.

WVZR-1

'85 format I believe all wiring diagrams etc are in the rear of the book! Are you using paper or digital FSM? I don't believe that an '85 FSM actually has an 8A section.

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.

TBSS/85vette

On the motor.

Bfenty

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.

TBSS/85vette

The wire plug power connection to the wiper motor.

Bfenty

Can you explain a little bit more? I'm sorry, I don't quite follow. The wire plug appears to be in good shape.

TBSS/85vette

The inside of the plug was corroded and filled with gunk. I used a degreaser and then an electrical cleaner. The wipers have worked fine ever since.

Bfenty

Oh, I thought you were referring to a switch somewhere

xrav22

The motor harness has a pigtail so you have to clean both connectors. Next time the door is off sand/clean the prongs on the wiper switch and spray with electric cleaner.