wiper motor blues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

boilerman · 02-23-2005, 07:53 PM

Help!

I'm trying to fix my windsheild wipers on my '70 c20 Camper Special so I don't die the next time it rains (I live in Seattle). I've replaced the fuse, the switch and the motor. None of this worked. All the wiring contacts (both male and female) seem to be fine. I have an extra harness, but that seems overkill for what should be a "simple" fix.

Anyone have any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

krue · 02-23-2005, 08:26 PM

I moved this to where you will get more views.

BTW welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

boilerman · 02-23-2005, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the help.

I'm still trying to figure out how use this forum.

krue · 02-23-2005, 10:58 PM

It's in the 67-72 Message Board, it's where most of us tend to hang out. As you prbobably already noticed you can still reply to it. Read up on the FAQ submission page for lots of good info.

boilerman · 03-12-2005, 09:32 PM

Really. Anyone? Anyone have any ideas? Trouble shooting tips? Is there a FAQ about this particular problem? I haven't been able to find it if there is.

I'm at a loss. I'd like to reduce the time spent lying on my cab floor cursing my non-wipers.

**Palf70Step** · 03-12-2005, 10:00 PM

Mine kept cutting out and quiting because of the washer pump assembly. Not sure how you bought your replacment motor, but mine didn't come with the washer pump assembly, and didn't work right till I replaced that too. What exactly are the wipers doing or not doing? Do they work at all, just a little while (that's what I am assuming) before they die?

Make sure you have a good ground on the motor casing also.

Oh yeah....welcome tot he board.

Brainchild · 03-12-2005, 11:24 PM

Pull the plug off hte switch,see if it's getting power to the switch,if yes,pull the plug at the wiper motor,and check for power there.When you find where you're not getting power,you'll know where the problem is.If you have power at the plug on the motor,you have a bad motor,or like BIll said,and bad ground.
You can connect the clip end of a light tester to positive,and touch the metal end to a ground and test grounds that way,just in case

boilerman · 03-14-2005, 06:12 PM

My wipers don't work at all. No noise, no movement, nothing.

As for the motor, I bought it on Ebay. I tested the motor on my 71 c20 and it worked fine.

I'll try testing the power to the switch, the motor and then the ground.

Thanks for your input.

chickenwing · 03-18-2005, 02:25 PM

Memory kinda fuzzy on this one.... Seems like there were 2 differant connectors for the wiper motor. 1 style had 3 prongs and 1 two. Learned this when I was on www.partsamerica.com looking up replacement wiper motors. Ensure your connectors match up to what is on the motor. Also, if I am reading this diagram correctly, the wiper motor uses a ground seeking circuit to control the speed. With the switch off no ground is supplied to either set of windings. With the switch on low only one set of windings has a ground. With the switch in high, both sets of windings have a ground. I do not know for sure, but I do not think the wiper motor has a case ground..... The switch itself provides the ground.

So to try and answer your question directly, My first instinct is a bad switch ground. Rob the switch from your 71c20 and install it to see if it works then. The switch must be installed in the dash with a good ground for it to work. I hate to state the obvious, double check the fuse... again. If the switch is not case grounded then the wiper motor is supposed to be and you would then need to verify it has a good ground.

I happen to have the wiper motor wiring diagram here at work. PM me a fax and I'll send it to ya. A good board member to pm on this is Putter. He figured out the wiper delay mod and helped me out quite a bit with it. Good luck to ya,
Rich

chickenwing · 03-18-2005, 03:26 PM

OK, this is trying my limited computer skills... Trying to host image.

**VetteVet** · 03-18-2005, 03:29 PM

I just found this link today on checking out the wiper motor

http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/electrical.html
This one is the parent site.
http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/HEI.html
VetteVet

boilerman · 03-21-2005, 04:22 PM

Thank you all for the input. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again.

chickenwing · 03-21-2005, 04:51 PM

Welcome. Did you install the switch in the dash or just pull the connector, install the connector on the switch and test while holding the switch in your hand?

boilerman · 03-25-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenwing

Welcome. Did you install the switch in the dash or just pull the connector, install the connector on the switch and test while holding the switch in your hand?

I tried the existing switch in the dash and then held the other two switches I tested while holding the switch in my hand.

The 2 replacement motors I tested in my working truck by the connectors only (the motors not installed or grounded to my dash). Both motors seemed to work fine.

Does the switch have to be grounded to the dash?

chickenwing · 03-25-2005, 04:59 PM

Yes.

02-23-2005, 07:53 PM	#1
boilerman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 15	wiper motor trouble-shooting Help! I'm trying to fix my windsheild wipers on my '70 c20 Camper Special so I don't die the next time it rains (I live in Seattle). I've replaced the fuse, the switch and the motor. None of this worked. All the wiring contacts (both male and female) seem to be fine. I have an extra harness, but that seems overkill for what should be a "simple" fix. Anyone have any ideas? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Last edited by boilerman; 02-25-2005 at 02:04 AM. Reason: adding info

02-23-2005, 08:26 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I moved this to where you will get more views. BTW welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

02-23-2005, 08:38 PM	#3
boilerman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 15	Newbie learning curve Thanks for the help. I'm still trying to figure out how use this forum. Last edited by boilerman; 02-25-2005 at 02:05 AM. Reason: change info

02-23-2005, 10:58 PM	#4
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	It's in the 67-72 Message Board, it's where most of us tend to hang out. As you prbobably already noticed you can still reply to it. Read up on the FAQ submission page for lots of good info. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-12-2005, 10:00 PM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Mine kept cutting out and quiting because of the washer pump assembly. Not sure how you bought your replacment motor, but mine didn't come with the washer pump assembly, and didn't work right till I replaced that too. What exactly are the wipers doing or not doing? Do they work at all, just a little while (that's what I am assuming) before they die? Make sure you have a good ground on the motor casing also. Oh yeah....welcome tot he board. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

03-12-2005, 09:32 PM	#5
boilerman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 15	Really. Anyone? Anyone have any ideas? Trouble shooting tips? Is there a FAQ about this particular problem? I haven't been able to find it if there is. I'm at a loss. I'd like to reduce the time spent lying on my cab floor cursing my non-wipers.

03-12-2005, 11:24 PM	#7
Brainchild Still drivin' a Rat Rod Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monett Missouri Posts: 4,925	Pull the plug off hte switch,see if it's getting power to the switch,if yes,pull the plug at the wiper motor,and check for power there.When you find where you're not getting power,you'll know where the problem is.If you have power at the plug on the motor,you have a bad motor,or like BIll said,and bad ground. You can connect the clip end of a light tester to positive,and touch the metal end to a ground and test grounds that way,just in case __________________ Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the a$# 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website

03-14-2005, 06:12 PM	#8
boilerman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 15	My wipers don't work at all. No noise, no movement, nothing. As for the motor, I bought it on Ebay. I tested the motor on my 71 c20 and it worked fine. I'll try testing the power to the switch, the motor and then the ground. Thanks for your input.

03-18-2005, 02:25 PM	#9
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Memory kinda fuzzy on this one.... Seems like there were 2 differant connectors for the wiper motor. 1 style had 3 prongs and 1 two. Learned this when I was on www.partsamerica.com looking up replacement wiper motors. Ensure your connectors match up to what is on the motor. Also, if I am reading this diagram correctly, the wiper motor uses a ground seeking circuit to control the speed. With the switch off no ground is supplied to either set of windings. With the switch on low only one set of windings has a ground. With the switch in high, both sets of windings have a ground. I do not know for sure, but I do not think the wiper motor has a case ground..... The switch itself provides the ground. So to try and answer your question directly, My first instinct is a bad switch ground. Rob the switch from your 71c20 and install it to see if it works then. The switch must be installed in the dash with a good ground for it to work. I hate to state the obvious, double check the fuse... again. If the switch is not case grounded then the wiper motor is supposed to be and you would then need to verify it has a good ground. I happen to have the wiper motor wiring diagram here at work. PM me a fax and I'll send it to ya. A good board member to pm on this is Putter. He figured out the wiper delay mod and helped me out quite a bit with it. Good luck to ya, Rich __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!! Last edited by chickenwing; 03-18-2005 at 02:32 PM.

03-18-2005, 03:26 PM	#10
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	OK, this is trying my limited computer skills... Trying to host image. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!! Last edited by chickenwing; 03-18-2005 at 04:44 PM.

03-18-2005, 03:29 PM	#11
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,718	wipe out the blues I just found this link today on checking out the wiper motor http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/electrical.html This one is the parent site. http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/HEI.html VetteVet __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

03-21-2005, 04:22 PM	#12
boilerman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 15	Thank you all for the input. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks again.

03-21-2005, 04:51 PM	#13
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Welcome. Did you install the switch in the dash or just pull the connector, install the connector on the switch and test while holding the switch in your hand? __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!

03-25-2005, 04:59 PM	#15
chickenwing Lovin' Life in Miss.! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, Mississippi Posts: 1,937	Yes. __________________ The truck... you hear that? No really, you did hear that?!!!



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