welll..they work sometimes...for a few minutes...slowly...except when its raining...

is this a common problem in these cars...actually seems like it might be a switch...any guesses?

 

Sounds like the motor to me.

 

[quote]Originally posted by SidViscous:
<strong>Sounds like the motor to me.</strong><hr></blockquote>

i'll bite...is there a definitive test? If so, how do yo uremove the darn thing...the bolts that are visible seem only to capture the wiring harness connector.

 

does anyone know why the intermidnt wipers wont work? relay?

 

I would sometimes have to wiggle the fuse because it didnt connect well.

 

Only defiinitive test would be to pull the motor and apply 12 volts to it. If it works then it's fine.

Whenever I've seen these symptoms 1. motor running slowly, then stopping. 2. Not working in the rain. It's been the motor. Not saying for Porsche, saying for all wiper motors. Pretty common symptoms.

Should be easy enough to tell. Pop the hood, look at the mechanisim. Run the motor. When it dies see if helping the wipers a little makes them move a little more than die.

Only other thing to do is jiggle the connectors. If they all of a sudden spring to life then it's the wiring. But I wouldn't bet on that.

 

The switch is pretty cheap and easy to replace. But I'll bet it's the motor.

The motor on my '83 has just started to slow down. Guess I'll be replacing it soon.

You might try lubicating all the linkages well and forcing some light oil aroud the motor bushing just below where the linkage attaches. That helped my slow wipers quite a bit.

 

Three things can cause the wipers to run slow:

The pivots that the wiper arms attach to;

The motor bearings;

And the output shaft bearing on the reduction gear box.

I'm ignoring dry wipers/windsheild.


The intermittent is only through the wiper relay on the pre 85.5's and variable through the relay with a dash mounted rheostat on the post 85.5's.

I suggest that you soak the pivots with WD-40 or what ever and try it. The bearings in the wiper motor are another matter.

I used a newer model wiper motor on my 83. Had to swap out the plastic connector and grind a bit on two of the casting webs but it fits. Also gave me a better speed range between the old slow and really slow as I used the middle speed and high speed of the newer wiper motor.

I still have the old two speed motor and have been meaning to take it apart and find out what the parts numbers would be to replace the bearings.

 

Check the wiring harness under the hood. mine came a little detatched, and was intermittent (I HATE INTERMITTENT!!) when the block was loose.. check it.. free to fix!! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />