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Windshield wiper problems

green55

green55

1/2 ton status
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My Jimmy is being very uncooperative with basic functionality. Probably because it know I need to get my state inspection done. Today the wipers started acting up — I don’t know if this could be related to the turn signal I posted about the other day that doesn’t shut off automatically.

When I turn the wipers on, they’re always going at the same speed, doesn’t matter the setting. If I try to turn them off, they just keep going that speed. I figured out if I use the mist setting, it’ll shut off after that, but who knows how long that’ll continue to work .

Any ideas on this one?
 
I just went thru the same on my 84. I cleaned all the connections on the module and it started to work like normal. The module usually is to blame but they aren't readily available.

'84 K10 Wiper Module, unobtainium?

Anyone have a line on the intermittent wiper module for 84 and up trucks? I can't seem to find anyone who makes them new and on eBay they are going for $100 or more. Which is way too much in my mind. My wipers are stuck in on all the time mode. If not I guess I'll be posting over in the...
ck5.com ck5.com
The module is on the column under the dash behind the access panel.
 
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I don’t know the different parts of the system well. Seems to be a motor, a module and the actual lever on the column?

Not sure where the module is to clean off the connections. I have an 89
 
Thanks I appreciate that!

I replaced the accelerator cable today, so was in that area under the dash if that’s where the module is. Wonder if I knocked something loose…I haven’t had to use the wipers in a bit so who knows how long they’ve been broken.

I’ll see if I can find the module under there.
 
Found the module, literally right on the column like you said.

Was only able to get one connector off, the other was super stubborn and was worried I was going to break it. The contact points for the connector I got off all looked good. Blew in them N64 style, no change in wiper behavior though
 
Turns out it was probably me knocking something loose today while messing around in the engine bay or it was coincidental timing.

Watched this video which helped big time:

The top connector on the motor was loose. Working as expected again!
 
I think the square body wiper motors have terrible ground. After lookiking at wiring diagram it appears the ground wire goes from the motor to the wiper switch, and from then wiper switch to the ignition switch, then finally to the ground just above the side kick panel.

Now it it is time for someone to disagree like someone allways does no matter what any body posts around here.
 
1-ton said:
I think the square body wiper motors have terrible ground. After lookiking at wiring diagram it appears the ground wire goes from the motor to the wiper switch, and from then wiper switch to the ignition switch, then finally to the ground just above the side kick panel.

Now it it is time for someone to disagree like someone allways does no matter what any body posts around here.
Click to expand...

I never thought much about it until you posted this, but now I recall seeing a weird "strap" between two of the wiper motor bolts. It's here, but it's kind of hard to see being painted. Mine is also painted, probably factory: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/help-how-to-hardwire-wiper-motor-to-just-run.311937/
On an Amazon wiper motor page, the strap isn't painted and is metallic. They all appear to be held on by a small rivet or something.

I assume they are a ground, but does seem a poor way to attach it.

In any case I think these wipers suck, and I'd love to get something with more power and a faster motion. I think they CAN work ok, but all of mine have been marginal at best, and I think it's the design more than anything else?
 
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There is a better design, but it will cost ya..

Detroit Speed 121634 Detroit Speed Selecta-Speed™ Wiper Kit

This kit provides you with the performance and convenience of a late model wiper system in a package that easily and cleanly mounts in your car. The wiper motor contains a low profile, seven-speed wiper motor with 5 delays, low speed, and high speed, rotary switch, adapter plate, and wiring...
www.detroitspeed.com www.detroitspeed.com
 
My wipers have been doing what I originally posted on this for most of the last year. I had a month or so that it was good again, but has been crap since. I replaced the wiper module this morning figuring it had gone bad, but still get the same behavior. What other stuff should I check?
 
When I had those symptoms on my '90, it was the park switch circuit in the motor. Swapped it out and it was has been fixed. I didn't try cleaning any of the connections at the motor first, however, because I had several spares on the shelf.
I did try a different switch and several modules before the motor, since it's easy to plug them in without any disassembly.
Did you scrub the terminals of the motor connections somehow? Plug and motor sides.
Recheck the ground as well.
Fine sandpaper, emory cloth, small screw driver, knife blade.. mechanical cleaning is best.
 
I had a completely different problem, got a brand new wiper motor and it doesn't park where its supposed to. Have to use the mist setting to get them down to where they are supposed to. Left on its own it does a full sweep up to where its supposed to, goes down and then back up a bit. Probably just a bad unit.
 
dyeager535 said:
I never thought much about it until you posted this, but now I recall seeing a weird "strap" between two of the wiper motor bolts. It's here, but it's kind of hard to see being painted. Mine is also painted, probably factory: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/help-how-to-hardwire-wiper-motor-to-just-run.311937/
On an Amazon wiper motor page, the strap isn't painted and is metallic. They all appear to be held on by a small rivet or something.

I assume they are a ground, but does seem a poor way to attach it.

In any case I think these wipers suck, and I'd love to get something with more power and a faster motion. I think they CAN work ok, but all of mine have been marginal at best, and I think it's the design more than anything else?
Click to expand...
I think someone on this site one time said that ground strap was for the multi-speed function of the wiper motor, and not the motor itself. There is a ground wire at the main connector that goes to the basic motor function, and I was thinking of using that ground wire to attach a pigtail ground wire from it to the engine, which would give the wiper motor a direct ground wire instead of the multi-series wire that GM engineered.
 
Coming back to this after another year of dealing with having to use the mist setting to run or park my wipers. Installed a new wiper motor this afternoon. Fixed the problem. Will be really nice to have wiper functionality back. Bad news is I found some rust just starting to pop up on the firewall that was hidden behind the wiper motor :frown
 
green55 said:
. Installed a new wiper motor this afternoon. Fixed the problem.
Click to expand...

Sucks about the rust. Hope the wiper motor fixed it.

I have realized on mine that low battery voltage will make the wipers work with a mind of Their Own. If I let it sit with no battery tender than the wipers will fire up right before the battery dies
 
Mine went stupid and I thought the module was bad, but it was the two prong plug on the top of the motor had come loose.
 
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