wipers have a mind of their own... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**PowerdbyChevy79** · 04-11-2016, 09:59 AM

ok. ive heard this is an issue with squarebody's ....every now and then my wipers will just turn and do a couple sweeps by themselves.. wiper switch is new.. don't know whats up with this..

**hatzie** · 04-11-2016, 10:10 AM

The wipers are a switched ground system. The switch provides the grounds to run the motor not the hot.
Either the park switch inside the wiper motor assembly is out of whack or you have an intermittent short to ground in the HI or LO speed wire from the switch.

**TKCR** · 04-11-2016, 12:36 PM

I replaced my turn signal/wiper/cruise control stalk. After getting the old one completely out, there was a section in the wire, that the casing was completely dry rotted and exposing quite of bit of bare wire. I never would have seen it, it was inside the steering column. Wish I would have taken a pic of it to show, but I just pitched it in the trash.

**PowerdbyChevy79** · 04-12-2016, 01:18 PM

thx for the help brothers..

Greenlee · 04-13-2016, 09:09 AM

If I were throwing parts at it, I would start with the motor. It's relatively cheap and easy to replace. I replaced the switch twice thinking I had a switch problem and it turned out to be the motor which was much easier to replace than taking apart the column.

**TKCR** · 04-13-2016, 09:23 AM

I didn't have to take apart my column to change out the switch.

**PowerdbyChevy79** · 04-13-2016, 10:07 AM

ive replaced the switch only.. but its starting to bug me.. so I need to take care of it..

**hatzie** · 04-13-2016, 12:32 PM

Look over the wires first. If they're OK then change out the motor.

bagman · 04-13-2016, 12:52 PM

Most likely you will find that the control module for the delay wipers is causing this. It is located below the steering column. Remove the panel under the column and you should see a small black box with wires to either end. I think you can bypass the module by disconnecting the wires and connect both wire connectors together to eliminate the module from the system. You will no longer have intermittent wipers.

**MikeB** · 04-13-2016, 03:19 PM

If he has an 82 truck, then the switch is on the dash and there is no control module, unless there was an intermittent option back then???

And he can replace switch AND wiper/washer assembly for less than $100.

I've had my wiper/washer assembly torn apart a few times. When I get it back together everything works fine. Then, after a while, whenever I turn on the wipers, the washer starts working and won't stop. My switch is new. I think the entire wiper/washer assembly in $50-something exchange at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Probably less at Rock Auto. That's my next step.

**PowerdbyChevy79** · 04-13-2016, 03:40 PM

ya I have a 82..

El Dorado Jim · 04-21-2016, 03:58 PM

I had the same problem years ago on my '73, it was a bad motor

**1774btcrew** · 04-21-2016, 09:19 PM

The 82 could have had delay wipers. The module would be plugged in behind the switch

**hatzie** · 04-21-2016, 10:00 PM

If 78-83 has delay wipers there's no way to mistake em for standard wipers.

barry1982 · 04-21-2016, 11:15 PM

Ah yes..... this is a very common problem with the old delay wipers.... I have had delay wipers in an 81 and two 82's. ALL of them intermittently just turned on and off. So you guys think it's the module behind the switch.....? Great info... will have to look into changing it.

04-11-2016, 09:59 AM	#1
PowerdbyChevy79 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 780	wipers have a mind of their own... ok. ive heard this is an issue with squarebody's ....every now and then my wipers will just turn and do a couple sweeps by themselves.. wiper switch is new.. don't know whats up with this.. __________________ 1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC

04-11-2016, 10:10 AM	#2
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,951	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... The wipers are a switched ground system. The switch provides the grounds to run the motor not the hot. Either the park switch inside the wiper motor assembly is out of whack or you have an intermittent short to ground in the HI or LO speed wire from the switch. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

04-11-2016, 12:36 PM	#3
TKCR Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,930	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... I replaced my turn signal/wiper/cruise control stalk. After getting the old one completely out, there was a section in the wire, that the casing was completely dry rotted and exposing quite of bit of bare wire. I never would have seen it, it was inside the steering column. Wish I would have taken a pic of it to show, but I just pitched it in the trash.

04-12-2016, 01:18 PM	#4
PowerdbyChevy79 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 780	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... thx for the help brothers.. __________________ 1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC

04-13-2016, 09:09 AM	#5
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... If I were throwing parts at it, I would start with the motor. It's relatively cheap and easy to replace. I replaced the switch twice thinking I had a switch problem and it turned out to be the motor which was much easier to replace than taking apart the column.

04-13-2016, 09:23 AM	#6
TKCR Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,930	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... I didn't have to take apart my column to change out the switch.

04-13-2016, 10:07 AM	#7
PowerdbyChevy79 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 780	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... ive replaced the switch only.. but its starting to bug me.. so I need to take care of it.. __________________ 1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC

04-13-2016, 12:32 PM	#8
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,951	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... Look over the wires first. If they're OK then change out the motor. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

04-13-2016, 12:52 PM	#9
bagman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: carthage,tx Posts: 7	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... Most likely you will find that the control module for the delay wipers is causing this. It is located below the steering column. Remove the panel under the column and you should see a small black box with wires to either end. I think you can bypass the module by disconnecting the wires and connect both wire connectors together to eliminate the module from the system. You will no longer have intermittent wipers.

04-13-2016, 03:19 PM	#10
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,488	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... If he has an 82 truck, then the switch is on the dash and there is no control module, unless there was an intermittent option back then??? And he can replace switch AND wiper/washer assembly for less than $100. I've had my wiper/washer assembly torn apart a few times. When I get it back together everything works fine. Then, after a while, whenever I turn on the wipers, the washer starts working and won't stop. My switch is new. I think the entire wiper/washer assembly in $50-something exchange at O'Reilly Auto Parts. Probably less at Rock Auto. That's my next step. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 04-13-2016 at 03:26 PM.

04-13-2016, 03:40 PM	#11
PowerdbyChevy79 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 780	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... ya I have a 82.. __________________ 1966 C10 Mary 1972 C10 Cheyenne "Betty" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847364 1976 C35 Sierra Grande "Mr. Harvey" 1979 C10 Silverado "The BIG TEN" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841339 1982 C10 Silverado "Lucy" C10 Club Texas -HMIC

04-21-2016, 03:58 PM	#12
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... I had the same problem years ago on my '73, it was a bad motor

04-21-2016, 09:19 PM	#13
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,564	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... The 82 could have had delay wipers. The module would be plugged in behind the switch __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

04-21-2016, 10:00 PM	#14
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,951	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... If 78-83 has delay wipers there's no way to mistake em for standard wipers. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

04-21-2016, 11:15 PM	#15
barry1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Waskatenau, Alberta Posts: 259	Re: wipers have a mind of their own... Ah yes..... this is a very common problem with the old delay wipers.... I have had delay wipers in an 81 and two 82's. ALL of them intermittently just turned on and off. So you guys think it's the module behind the switch.....? Great info... will have to look into changing it.



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