[db2]

During the last rianstorm we had in Dallas, TX (last Saturday), I picked up my ifather in-law at the airport. On the way there, all of a sudden my wipers stopped working (yay!).

I found that if I shut the wipers off, waited for about 2-3 minutes, then turned them back on, they would run for about 5 wipes and then stop again. I repeated this a few times until I figured out I was going to have to wipe the windshield by turning the wipers on for one wipe, then off, then on, then off ALL THE WAY BACK HOME...and with my father in law in the truck...what a TREAT!

Anyway, Do you guys know what could be causing this?

I had my lights, defrost, and radio going at the same time as the wipers.

I know the circuit brteakers are self-resetting, which is why the motor starts back up after a few minutes, but why the stoppage in the first place?

I tried running the wipers/radio/lights and wipers all tonight (dry) and didn't ahve a problem until I went to the HIGH setting on the wipers. 3 wipes later and they stopped.

Any help you could give me would be great.

Thanks!

db2

 

[SeahawkDodge]

Could be the wiper motor or the switch. What year is the vehicle, is the switch on the dash or the turn signal?

 

[Guest]

Is your vehicle equipped with delay wipers? If so check the timer first.

 

[db2]

My truck is an '85 (that's her on the left), and the switch is on the dash. No delay wipers.

How would I be able to tell if it's the switch or the motor?

thanks for your help...you guys are the best!

 

[Guest]

Can you unplug the motor and use jumper wires to test it?

 

[Chump]

Pull the plug off the wiper motor and make sure the terminals are clean. Also make sure the ground strap is clean, which is under one of it's mounting bolts(Yellow in picture). Then try this diagnostic procedure.

Fig. 4 Wiper motor terminal locations. All 1985-87 models

Motor Operates At Either High Or Low Speed Only

1. If motor operates at low speed, place wiper switch in high position and connect test lamp between motor terminal H and ground, Figs. 1 through 4.
2. If motor operates at high speed, place wiper switch in low position and connect test lamp between motor terminal L and ground, Figs. 1 through 4. Leave electrical connector connected to motor.
3. If test lamp does not light at motor terminal, there is an open circuit in wiper switch or wiring. If test lamp lights at motor terminal, motor is defective.

 

[Turbo2go]

I had the same problem and it was a bad ground. I agree with chump. Clean the contacts including the ground strap.

 

[glowplug47]

My wipers quit in a rain storm a couple weeks ago here in Houston. I beleive the trouble is that if you live in Texas your wipers will quit.
Just kidding!
I checked my fuses and found nothing wrong. The truck had been sitting for a couple of weeks so I took out a small ball peen and gave the motor a lite wrap. I saw an arc coming off of the back of the motor. So I hit it agian and it repeated. I loosened the motor, hosed it with WD 40 and retightened the bolts. Been working fine ever since. Hope this is the case for you.