Electrical Issue (Windshield Wipers)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
Electrical Issue (Windshield Wipers)
My windshield wipers decided yesterday to become independent and cut on and off at random. Today, the same thing. It seems that if I start steering left to right rapidly, kind of like warming up the tires before a race, they will go down. Then if I steer a little, they start going half way up, get stuck, go half way back down from there, wiggle, etc., etc., etc. Kinda embarrassing in traffic on a sunny day, driving a Corvette and the windshield wipers going ape chit. If someone has any input, please help. Oh yeah, my search does not work. Neither does my C5 General for that matter.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
I accidently knocked the button off the washer switch last year on a quick shift, and without the button the wipers run wide open until they burn out. Dealer replaced the stalk under warranty.
I would bet that the contacts on the button are at times not making contact, and this is the cause of your problem.
I would bet that the contacts on the button are at times not making contact, and this is the cause of your problem.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
It's funny that I just had my oil changed Saturday. I use the same place that services my company's trucks and also all of my family's vehicles. They are really good (wouldn't take my Corvette anywhere that wasn't). Maybe one of the young guys in the garage did something under the hood to disrupt things? The wipers act like they want to start up, then they shake a little, then they might go full speed for a few seconds, then stop. It's sunny right now. Don't want them on, and I'm scared to take it to the dealership. Took my GMC truck in last week for drivers side window repair (came off track, I thought) $458.00 later, my window works again. Wonder what they would charge me for my Corvette. It's under GM warranty still. Guess they should look at it for free. Getting ready to leave work. Not looking forward to the strange looks I'll get with my windshield wipers running.
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 619
Likes: 9
From: Thonotosassa Florida
Originally Posted by Hiteck
My windshield wipers decided yesterday to become independent and cut on and off at random. Today, the same thing. It seems that if I start steering left to right rapidly, kind of like warming up the tires before a race, they will go down. Then if I steer a little, they start going half way up, get stuck, go half way back down from there, wiggle, etc., etc., etc. Kinda embarrassing in traffic on a sunny day, driving a Corvette and the windshield wipers going ape chit. If someone has any input, please help. Oh yeah, my search does not work. Neither does my C5 General for that matter.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by TomsZ06
I had the same exact problem. The dealer replaced the stalk and I no longer have the problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,840
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Originally Posted by Hiteck
My windshield wipers decided yesterday to become independent and cut on and off at random. Today, the same thing. It seems that if I start steering left to right rapidly, kind of like warming up the tires before a race, they will go down. Then if I steer a little, they start going half way up, get stuck, go half way back down from there, wiggle, etc., etc., etc. Kinda embarrassing in traffic on a sunny day, driving a Corvette and the windshield wipers going ape chit. If someone has any input, please help. Oh yeah, my search does not work. Neither does my C5 General for that matter.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: You want HOW much for that Corvette part??? Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
this situation is usually caused by clogged windshield drains.. there is one on either side.. when they are clogged it cause the windshield wiper motor to become submersed in water ... clean out the drains and allow the motor to dry and this should fix the problem...
SOUND ADVICE. i had the same problem and had to clean the drains and replace the motor control unit.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
Thanks Evil-Twin. I'll try that when I get home. I fiddled with them yesterday before leaving work, and it didn't happen again. This morning, they moved a little two or three times. I thought here we go again. My mom has my truck since the tranny in her Escalade died. Should get it back today though. I've driven my Corvette more in the last two weeks than I have all summer. Been fun, but looking forward to getting back into the GMC. The roads in downtown Charleston really suck. If cleaning the drains doesn't work, I'll pull the fuse and reluctantly go to the dealership. BTW, I don't have a service manual yet. Can anyone tell me which fuse in the footwell to pull? Thanks Guys. 
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
wiper problems
same thing happen to me. drain openning on driver's side clogs up, water gets into the wiper motor control module. dealer cost for module, about $100.00. not too bad replacing module. dealer wants $250.00 labor.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Clear and simple! Your cowl drains are clogged and the wiper motor control module is sitting in water. Clean the drains and PRAY that the module is not TOAST!Some times it will dry out on it's own!
If it doest you will need to replace it.
Bill C
If it doest you will need to replace it.
Bill C
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Moncks Corner South Carolina
Appreciate it guys. They work normal now. But I didn't do anything to them (clogged drain like most of you said probably). We have had alot of rain in the past month and I don't have a garage built yet. This is probably how they got clogged. Thank you all for the help. Oh yeah, no Vettes wave to me anymore either. So Save The Wave
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Here are some drain pictures:
This is where the drains are located! Drivers side of the engine compartment near the hood latch and inboard of the clutch master cyl res.
You can insert your hand into this area and feel the drains. If they are hard, they are full of crap! Milk the trash out of the end![IMG]
[/IMG]
Here the flashlight is shining on two of the drains (UTTERS).
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Here is some of the trash that came out of mine and I keep them clean!!!
I clean them every time I wash the car! If yours is clogged they will be NASTY!!! 
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Good luck!
Bill C
This is where the drains are located! Drivers side of the engine compartment near the hood latch and inboard of the clutch master cyl res.
You can insert your hand into this area and feel the drains. If they are hard, they are full of crap! Milk the trash out of the end![IMG]
[/IMG] Here the flashlight is shining on two of the drains (UTTERS).
[IMG]
[/IMG] Here is some of the trash that came out of mine and I keep them clean!!!
I clean them every time I wash the car! If yours is clogged they will be NASTY!!! [IMG]
[/IMG] Good luck!
Bill C
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Oct 7, 2004 at 05:13 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Findlay Ohio
Wet Wipers
REMOVE YOUR WIPER CONTROL SYSTEM. OPEN CONTROL BOX SPRAY OUT WITH AIR. SPRAY WITH A NON CONDUCTING LUBE. ROMOVE THE RUBBER TUBES. I cleaned the darn things out all the time but a good rain or a trip through a car wash and the tubes will not drain the water fast enough (even when they are clean) and you will have the problem again and again everytime the control box goes under water. I removed the tubes to let the water out faster and never had another problem. 
