Windshield Wiper Issues

[Recon!]

I did a search, and while a lot of very informative threads came up, I still have some questions about my situation. I have a 1989 K5 with delay wipers, cruise control, and all the bells and whistles as far as I know.

The P.O. had pulled the fuse for the wipers because he said they always stayed on. I put a new fuse in to check if they worked, and they worked for about 20 seconds, then cut off in the fully up position. I messed with the stalk to see if I could get them to move again like I read in a few other threads, but they don't do anything. The first few times I moved it to mist it sounded like the motor clicked, but I'm not sure. Now I can't even get it to make the clicking noise again. The washer setting shoots water out the wipers, but they don't move. With the stalk in any position the wipers do nothing.

What are we thinking here, motor, module, or stalk? If it's the motor, they are cheap from Oriellys, and the stalk is only $39 brand new there as well. I'm not sure about the module, haven't checked on that one.

If it's the stalk, how do I take the old one out and put in the new one? I can't find anything anywhere about how to replace one and it's a little annoying. The motor doesn't seem too hard to replace, and the module looks pretty easy.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[throttleissues]

The modules are notorious for going out. That can cause all different kinds of hiccups in the system. One of min, for example, doesn't work on delay or wash. Another I had would come on at random and then stop a few minutes later, but it would only do that if you had used the wipers and shut them off during that trip. If you find a module for a reasonable price, I'd change it to see, since the stalk is more difficult to change.

 

[496truck]

I'd be lookin at the module as well.

 

[Recon!]

Well, I ordered a new module from rockauto.com last night and it already shipped! Hopefully it gets here by friday so I can put it in and see if it works. If it doesn't then I will have to wait until I get back from vacation in California on the 29th.

 

[Recon!]

Still doesn't work....

 

[lsp408]

will the module going bad cause my wiper to wipe 2 time when ignition is on?

 

[Recon!]

I have no idea. Probably a bad ground, but it could be the module. If you take the module out, and then plug the 2 connectors into each other, the wipers will work but without delay. If that solves it then you know the problem.

 

[lsp408]

cool, I will give it a try

 

[Teck]

You will have to pull the steering wheel off to run the wire down the column. The stalk just push in and twist, then you can pull it out.

 

[dhcomp]

Personally, i would spend the money and get a new motor in there. They are like $60 at the parts house, then you have that eliminated, and you have a good motor in there.....its probably time to change it anyways. Lube up your linkage really good when you change it.

If you still have problems, move on from there.

May not be the CHEAPEST way to get it done, but when you get it figured out, you will have a new, dependable motor.

 

[michael0584]

Check the park switch on the motor, I was about to replace my motor, pulled the park switch and cleaned the contacts and it works fine now.

 

[lectric80]

Recon,

First thing that is critical to understand, is the stalk is not the wiper switch. The wiper switch is housed inside the column and the stalk actually pushes into the switch. To remove the stalk, simply pull out on it gently and it will release. Do not twist it, it should just pull out, although I have seen some that are difficult.

Second, the issue you are describing, since it isn't the module, is going to be either the connector itself on the motor, or the motor. It may be as simple as a bad park switch, or the motor comm is bad from carbon buildup. Either way, a motor is a quick simple fix, compared to replacing the switch in the column which requires a lot of disassembly and is a pain for feeding wires down to the bottom of the column.

 

[Recon!]

It's not the motor, I replaced it and it doesn't turn off. I replaced the module, and it doesn't change. It has to be the switch in the column. I know this because when I turn the knob to change wiper speeds it doesn't have any notches that you can feel so you know where you are setting it at. I went to the junk yard to test my theory, and sure enough, I found plenty of knobs that have that notchy feeling when you turn it (Don't know how to describe it any other way). I found a steering column from a suburban with all the same bells and whistles that my blazer has, and it's cheaper than the switch is. And this column doesn't have that death wobble my old one does. As soon as I get the truck back from the transmission shop, I will be installing the column and posting back here with my findings.

 

[lectric80]

I didn't see you had already done the motor, thereby ruling it out. Yeah, the cost of the switch, plus the time it takes to tear down the column, replace the switch, then re-assemble the column is much higher than just swapping a column.

As for the death wobble on the old column, make sure you don't use the steering wheel as an entry aid and you will find they last much longer.