wipers not working- any idears?

[vern350]

87 chevy with TBI. Trying to get truck in for a safety and the wipers are KO'd. Wiper motor is fine. Fuse is fine. Wiper will not work. I believe it is the steering coloumn. Any ideas before I do the swap.

Thanks in advance

[old Rusty C10]

prolly the switch

[vern350]

which would be fixed by replacing the steering coloumn? How would you tackle a bad switch? Thanks for the quick reply.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

If you've got intermitant wipers, remove the delay module from under the steering column behind the access panel of the lower part of the dash. It simply slides onto the mount but disconnecting the harness's can be a reaL big P*I*T*A.
Then all you have to do is hook the two harness's together to test to see if the wipers work or not.
if they work, replace the module. If not then replace the switch.

NOTE THIS IS OF COURSE IF AS YOU SAID THE MOTOR AND FUSE ARE BOTH GOOD.

[vern350]

Sounds good, thanks for the in depth description. I guess my dad tried to connecting hardness without the module and it was a no go. I guess its the switch.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

I've only done it once myself.
The tools you're going to need are...
1. steering wheel puller
2. 7/8" socket,extension & ratchet
3. 7/16" & 1/2" or 9/16" wrench or socket
4. steering wheel lock plate remover.
5. small pick set.
6. #2 phillips screwdriver
7. T20-T25 TORX driver
8. A WHOLE-HELL-OF-A-LOT OF PATIENCE!!!!

REMOVE THE HORN BUTTON IN CENTER OF WHEEL (THAT'S THE STEERING WHEEL NOT THE ROAD WHEEL)

YOU SHOULD SEE A RETAINING CLIP AT THE TOP END OF THE CENTER OF THE COLUMN RIGHT ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL NUT. USE THE PICK SET TO REMOVE THIS RETAINER CLIP. DO NOT LOOSE THIS CLIP!!! IT'S THERE TO ENSURE THAT THE NUT CANNOT COME COMPLETELY OFF SHOULD IT EVER COME LOOSE
REMOVE THE NUT WITH THE SOCKET/EXTENSION & RATCHET.


ATTACH THE STEERING WHEEL PULLER USING THE APROPRIATE BOLTS AND REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL USING THE 1/2 OR 9/16" WRENCH OR SOCKET.

NOW YOU SHOULD SEE A PLASTIC COVER. IT SIMPLY SNAPS INTO PLACE BUT YOU MAY AGAIN NEED TO USE YOUR PICK SET TO GET IT TO RELEASE SO YOU CAN REMOVE IT WITHOUT DAMAGEING IT.

ATTACH THE LOCKPLATE REMOVAL TOOL AS SHOWN BELOW. TIGHTEN THE NUT ON THE CENTER OF THE TOOLS SHAFT TO DEPRESS THE LOCK PLATE AND EXPOSE THE SNAP RING THAT HOLDS IT ON. NOTE: THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR P.I.T.A. PART TO REMOVE. AGAIN USE YOUR PICK SET TO SPREAD OPEN AND SLIDE IT UP THE CENTER SHAFT OF THE COLUMN AGAIN!!! DO NOT LOOSE THIS PART!!!

LOOSEN THE NUT ON THE LOCKPLATE TOOL AND REMOVE TOOL THEN THE LOCKPLATE AND THE HORN RING/CANCEL CAM (GREEN PART IN PIC)

THERE ARE 3 MOUNTING SCREWS THAT HOLD THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH TO THE HOUSING AS WELL AS ONE FOR THE ACTUATOR ARM AND THE HAZARD BUTTON. REMOVE ALL OF THESE AND SET THEM ASIDE.
SEE THE PICKS BELOW...

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Here's he arm detached

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Now you're going to have to remove the 3-4 retaining screws that hold the main housing in place as well as the retainer screw for the ignition lock cylinder.
Remove the ignition lock cylinder and pull up on the main housing just enought to get the back of the housing covering the wiper switch off.
Make sure the wiperswitch is in the off position then pull straight out on the turn signal arm to remove it from the wiper switch.
On the bottom on the wiper switch is the mounting/pivot pin. Remove it and set it aside.
Take ahold of the wiper switch with your right hand and carefully guide the harness plug up into the column housing with your left hand while pulling up with your right hand.
Revers everything to re-assemble

[vern350]

thanks BLE 'BURBAN. Got it out.

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Anytime glad to help.