02 C5 with Windshield Wiper Problem
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
02 C5 with Windshield Wiper Problem
The windshield wipers on my 02 C5 suddenly came on without any driver input. I took it to my dealer, whose service manager told me the problem is known as "phantom sweeps." While he has seen this phenomenon on other GM vehicles in his many years' experience, mine was the first that he has seen on a Corvette. I had to pull the fuse controlling the wipers to stop these "sweeps."
Anybody experience this problem? If so, would you please include any details on how it was troubleshot and fixed? Thanks in advance.
Anybody experience this problem? If so, would you please include any details on how it was troubleshot and fixed? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Blu6Spd; Sep 4, 2008 at 07:26 PM. Reason: Added detail
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
From: Waynesboro VA
My Vette is an 02 and did the same thing so I replaced the wiper motor with out troubleshooting first and wasted about $100.00 and still had the problem. What I found was causing the problem was the push button on the end of the wiper switch. How I fixed it was to carefully pry out the push button, but you have to be careful as it is spring loaded and springs will fly out if your not careful. Look at the configuration of the push buttons bottom side and how they work when pushed into the contacts, this is were my problem was the contacts were out of alignment. I took a very small screwdriver and spread them apart put the button back in and it has been trouble free ever since. If you lose the springs you can use a flint spring out of a bic lighter. I would not recommend doing this if you don't have decent understanding of how the push button operates. The next time the problem appears tap the push button a couple of times to see if the wipers stop that is how I discovered the problem and fix.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6
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Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air MD
I think there is a tech or faq file on this.
Odds are your drains below the cowl (I think that's it) are clogged and you wiper motor is submerged. I had the same problem.
I cleaned out the drains, removed the wiper motor, dried it with a hair dryer, put it back in and it worked fine.
Good Luck.
Odds are your drains below the cowl (I think that's it) are clogged and you wiper motor is submerged. I had the same problem.
I cleaned out the drains, removed the wiper motor, dried it with a hair dryer, put it back in and it worked fine.
Good Luck.
Last edited by sheldon; Sep 10, 2008 at 02:55 PM. Reason: I should proof read
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 936
Likes: 286
From: Shreveport Louisiana
My Vette is an 02 and did the same thing so I replaced the wiper motor with out troubleshooting first and wasted about $100.00 and still had the problem. What I found was causing the problem was the push button on the end of the wiper switch. How I fixed it was to carefully pry out the push button, but you have to be careful as it is spring loaded and springs will fly out if your not careful. Look at the configuration of the push buttons bottom side and how they work when pushed into the contacts, this is were my problem was the contacts were out of alignment. I took a very small screwdriver and spread them apart put the button back in and it has been trouble free ever since. If you lose the springs you can use a flint spring out of a bic lighter. I would not recommend doing this if you don't have decent understanding of how the push button operates. The next time the problem appears tap the push button a couple of times to see if the wipers stop that is how I discovered the problem and fix.
