odd ball wiper issue

[PGSigns]

The wipers on the 66 were acting up when using the switch (2 speed wipers) every once and a while but worked fine with the intermittent controller I have on it. So I pulled the switch out of the burb to test with and it did the same thing. And yes the switch worked in the burb. Then tried it with the stock wiring configuration and no wipers with either switch. So what it looks like to be is a ground issue, but where I am loosing the ground I can not figure out. Testing for power at the motor it all seems fine and they will run and park just fine with the intermittent controller. Any thoughts?
Jimmy

[DPowers]

Have no real idea, but doesn't the wiper motor ground at the attachment point at the cowl?

[Captainfab]

Is your switch grounded well?

[The Rocknrod]

I think it grounds thru the switch. In fact it has to. How's your gauge panel grounds? So the panel surround either black or chromed (whatever you have) has to have a good ground to the gauge panel housing, then a good ground from there.

[PGSigns]

The panel seems to be grounded well. All the gauges work good along with the lights that use the panel for the ground. I did test it with a ground attached to the switch and the switch hanging down. I do have a new wiper motor that i may just plug in and test the wiring and adding grounds. Just had shoulder surgery a month ago so I have to find a helper.
Jimmy

[Clyde65]

The switch grounds at the dash. I believe the motors are all on rubber bushings so shouldn’t the motor be grounded at the plug? Physically?

[grubsster]

The motor grounds using the tab riveted on at the lower left corner of the one in this picture. Maybe a different location on some but that is how mine is grounded.

[The Rocknrod]

I also have that strap on my brand new motor as well. Funny thing though, I wired my truck like it is a fiberglass body vehicle. So there are no body grounds, I run a ground wire to everything. The motor runs like a top. Strange.

[65trucks]

I kind of ran into the same issue the other day, even though yours may have a different cause. I put a new instrument panel bezel in with a new gauge panel. Put everything back together and tried everything, but the wipers. So heading to the local cruise in a few days later, it starts to rain. Wipers don't work, at all. I wiggle wires, do everything to try to get it to work. Nothing.

So I did not know the switch grounds thru the new, painted, black, bezel I have. The way I tested it was to turn the switch on, with ignition on, and ran a fused jumper wire to ground. Wipers started working immediately. Took a piece of sandpaper on the back side of the bezel where the switch mounts, and bolted it back up. Works like a charm. Something to check on while you are trying to find a cure.

[Isaiah92260]

On my 61 my wipers work on and off also. I messed around with the switch when I took it off and realized that the switch works if I push it against the base while I’m twisting it on. Doesn’t when it’s not in contact or when I barely twist the knob to the on position. I guess whatever is in the switch that is contact with the rotating knob start to separate over time as these switches get old. I read your original post but I’d like to mention this is to these wipers being operated with original or old switches.

[PGSigns]

I have not had time or help to work on this yet. I am getting a new switch just in case. Having the intermittent controller on it does give me wipers just not full speed.
Jimmy

[PGSigns]

OK I got it fixed finally now that my shoulder is healed enough to work on it. Here is what I found. First make sure you volt meter is not on auto range. What looks like 4 ohms could be 4K olms. I think that is what happened when I tested the switch I thought was good. When I pulled it to start testing everything again it showed open on a 20 ohm scale but 4 on auto. So I grabbed all the wiper switches I had and tested all of them. Three were bad and one good one. Put the good one in the truck and it works like it should. After all these years of working on stuff I made a simple mistake that I should have caught.
Jimmy

[DPowers]

Glad that you got it figured out. If always got it right, you wouldn't need this board.