I've got a strange windshield wiper problem that just started today. I put the key in the ignition and when I turned it to 'on' the windshield wipers poped up from where they usually sit, but just stayed there doing nothing in the "raised" position (about 2 inches up for rest). I checked the lever and they were turned off, and when I moved it to any of the positions nothing happens at all. Also they don't go back down, they seem to be stuck in that just raised position. But the wierd thing is when I put the washer spray button I still get sprayage, but the wipers just sit there as usual (no motion).

I went to check the fuses but I didn't know what I was looking for and they all looked OK (checked the box by the battery and the one in the passengers side) Nothing on the fuse box 'index' said wipers so I didn't know which one exactly to check.

Any suggestions on what I should look for? I usually would just take it into the shop but I'm broke and need to learn how to work on my own car eventually.

Help me out and I'll be your friend for ever and ever!
Jeff

 

Can you hear the wiper arm motors trying to work? Have you tried moving the wipers manually? My other car had something like this, and the problem with the bolt holding the wiper in place had come loose, and the gears weren't seated in the wiper arms properly, allowing the gears to work, but the wiper arm to remain stationary. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply. I just looked at it again a minute ago and I don't think the motors were spinning at all (no noise). I actaully did try to move them back down and they didn't budge, although I didn't push them hard because I didn't want to hurt the gearbox. I'm thinking it's something with either the switch, but hopefully it's not the BCM again (already been replaced once)

 

vmspionage

Been there done this! Your wiper motor and the circuit board assembly inside wiper motor assembly is WET!! The motor and board sit in a well below the windshield cowl. There are two drains that allow the water to drain out of the well and away from the wiper motor. The drains are probably clogged with trash and the water is causing the circuit board to short out and do weird stuff.
There is an area between the brake booster and the fender that you can stick yourhand in. If you feel around that area you will fine two utters that drain water out of the cowl area and away from the chassis. Those two utters are CLOGGED and the water is flooding out your motor/ circuit board that sits in the same well.
If you are lucky, you will be able reach in and clear both drains and the motor will dry out on its own. If it does not, you will need to remove the motor and dry it out

BC


[Modified by Bill Curlee, 4:28 AM 7/4/2004]

 

Thanks! I had a feeling someone from corvetteforum had this problem before. It's raining over here today but as soon as the weather clears up I'll check that out. I owe you one buddy!

Jeff

 

OK I just checked it and sure enough my udders were clogged up with leaves and such and when I cleaned em out a bunch of water drained so I'm hoping that was the problem. Just need to give it some time to dry hopefully.

Everyone check your udders before it's too late!

 

I took mine apart and dried it out.. We were having a monsoon here in CT when mine decided to go **** up so, I had to get it working in short order. There are relays on the board and a rotary switch. If it doesnt dry out in a few days, recommend disassembly and a cood sleaning with alcohol.

After the alcohol flush, give her a good shot of WD-40 and close it up!

BC

 

Bill, great info for clearing Drains. Of course they were packed solid on my 97 cpe. After 2 wks, wipers were still hit or miss, so I recently let local service replace motor/cntrollr. Now med and fast work, but intermittent is backwards. Pauses at center of windshield, sweeps down, then back up!
I saw the info about markng the spot where slow intermitt would be at bottom of normal sweep. Could I correct this just by removing/placing arms, or will motor have to be accessed?
Tks for any advice! And CForum rules!
Grant

 

Grant

When my wipers went wackey I swapped the wiper switch out with the one from my 02 ZO6 and all that did was comfirm that the problem was else where. When I removed the motor and arm assembly, that where I discovered the drain problem and all of the water. I also found that the water that caused the wiper motor to freak out also leaked into the DRIVERS foot well. I had to clean and dry the carpet.

Upon disassembly of the motor to dry it out, when I removed the plastic cover on the motor, I noticed that there was a cam driven rotary contact switch in the center of the circuit board. I marked the position of the cam and the contacts on the arm and proceded to clean and dry out the circuits and components on the ciccuit board. Upon re-assembly of the cover to the motor I discovered that my alignment markings could have been wrong.
When I assembled everything and turned the wipers on I expierenced the SAME symptions that you are having.
I had to disassemble everything and reposition the switch. Through trial and error, I got it aligned correctly
The bad part is, I can not give you the exact procedure that I used to align the switch. I did alot of expierenting with the wiper arm assembly removed from the car (it was sitting on the cowl and the inner fender).

I recommend taking it out and working with it.

BC


[Modified by Bill Curlee, 6:42 AM 7/6/2004]

 

We had a nice hot and sunny day yesterday so I let the vette bake in the sun in an attempt to dry it out. When I checked it still wasn't working (still totally dead), but I happened to bump into my local vette mechanic later on in the day. He said his experience was the motor was probably shot and I'll need to replace it. I'll have a look at it when I take it apart to see if it can't be repaired and to make sure it is 100% dry, if not I'll dry it out and reassemble it to see if that did the trick.

Thanks for your help everyone

 

I remember when I removed my wiper arm/motor assembly from the cowl area that it would NOT come out without repositioning the wiper arms to the mid sweep position. Well,,, wouldnt you know that 's just what the service manual tells you to do!

That is where you will screw up the cam alignment inside the motor. Once you have the motor and wiper arm assembly out of the car, mark the arms and then remove the black plastic cover that houses the electronics package.
Note EXACTLY where the cam is positioned and just return it back to that position when you assemble it. Remember that the arms will have to be in the mid sweep position.

I used compressed air to dislodge any moisture (a lot came out) and I inspected the board and components for damage.
I used an electrical spray safety solvent to flush mine out but, alcohol in a spray bottle will work great! Blow it out again.
I baked the circuit board (still in the motor assembly) under a heat lamp for about 2 hours and then I doushed it down with WD-40.
There are a couple of relays on the circuit board. If I couldnt get it to work I was going to remove the plastic cover and clean that too. Mine work without having to do that.

Reasseble and test! I layed some towels down on the engine and inner fender well area then I put a large piece of cardboard on the towels and I covered the windshield with a piece of cardboard. Don't want to break that sucker!!

For the price that a new one cost, trying to salvage the one that is bad was more than worth it to me. If it failed, atleast I gave it my best shot!
I was very successful and I hope that you are too.

I have learned that you should check the utter drains EVERY time that you wash the car!!

Oh yea,, the wiper motor fuse for my 98 Coupe is in the instrument panel fuse box (passengers foot well) and it is fuse# 10 and it is labled WSW.

BC

 

Great info thanks again Bill, I'll make sure to mark the positions carefully - sounds like a huge PITA if they get misaligned. And thanks for pointing out that fuse for me. I'm really hoping that's all it is. But if not you'll probably see me around here banging my head against a wall

Jeff

 

Bill, thanks for the inside sccop, literally! I suspected it was motor related. You would have thought Chevy service would have known that, when stopped by there on Sat.
Oh by the way, good idea on cardboard for windshield. Guess what the repair shop broke while installing motor? That's another story, but explains why I won't let them touch Vette again!
I used to enjoy working on my C4! Time for C5 service manual!
Tks again!
Grant