ZW 944

I was driving home yesterday in the rain, and was trying out my abs in the rain because I just got it fixed. well, after one of the stops I heard a wierd poof like noise, and my windshield wipers stopped working. none of the settings work. I used to have a problem where the first setting wouldn't work, but if I went to the second setting, it worked, and then I could go back down to first, and it would work again. I tested the relay and the fuse, and they are fine.

I need to get some help so I can order whatever I need to get them working again as Im taking a trip in 2 weeks and would like to have working wipers by then.

xsboost90

you need to check for power at the plug going to the wiper motor. If you turn the wipers on and the plug gets 12v to one of the terminals but still doesnt work, chances are the motor is locked.

ZW 944

Dang.... I sure hope not. motors are dang expensive...

xsboost90

really? i usually see them laying around everywhere - check someone parting a car out.

ZW 944

That does sound like good advice. Thanks.

ZW 944

Next question:

How do you take the old motor out? do you have to take out the whole assembly? how does that all come apart? It appears that the motor is bolted to the underside of the big metal bracket piece that holds it all together.

dave1192

you have to take the heater blower apart to get clearance, then take the whole wiper bracket out to get at the wiper motor mounting bolts.

ZW 944

Thanks guys. I got it all out, now I just have to test it to make sure it is broke before I buy a replacement.

ZW 944

Update: well, I cleaned out the inside of the motor and it works now. but....

How on earth do they expect you to align the parts all just right? I wasn't paying close attention to it when I was removing it, and I don't know at what position the linkages need to be at for them to not run into anything. its very frusterating, I don't even remember if the orientation of the two arms that are attached to the same posts that are attached to the actual wipers themselves.... Help would be greatly appreciated, I don't wan't to have to take it into the shop for something as dumb as this.

Signalmtb

resurrection...doing this now

What a pain.

Signalmtb

well, I took the motor apart, cleaned it, it turned on...turned it off, then back on and NOTHING. no idea what's wrong now.

Arominus

you check the wiper relay? how about the combined switch assembly (turn/wiper/cruise)?

Signalmtb

still trying to find a resource to tell me which relay it is.


I did a voltage test, and this is what I found:
*power is getting to the plug and changes according to which selector I have set on the stalk
*power is also getting to the motor...I tested the 3 wires red, green, and brown which go into the motor itself. They are hot always, no matter what as long as the switch is on. Not sure this is supposed to be the case.


I tried to run the motor directly from the battery, not sure I was doing it right though. Any advice here would help.


Just odd that it ran the first time and now wont run. The fuse is ok.

Arominus

Its a late car right? i'd guess its the stalk switch as i've had problems with both of my late cars on that front. Problem is thats a $220 question if you buy a new one. The relay is about $40, look on the label on the bottom of the fuse box cover and it should say which one it is.

Signalmtb

Yes, sorry… It's a '88 951S

So I've got a used motor coming, hoping that might be it. I think the relay is #9. Maybe.