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[lfew1]

While driving about the other day the wipers started by themselves -- one swipe and stopped.  I then operated the switch and found that only one position (fast -- though not very) worked.  After a few cycles, the wipers stopped and will work no longer.  Any thoughts as to where to start looking for the fault would be appreciated.

Thanks,

LF White

[TR3driver]

On the 4A, I believe there are two wires that run from the wiper switch to the motor; which my diagram shows as brown/light green and red/light green.  The switch is supposed to ground R/LG for low speed, and both wires for high speed.

Assuming you haven't blown a fuse (as shown by the gas gauge, turn signals, etc still working); I would start by setting the switch on low, ignition on, and checking between the R/LG and G wires at the wiper motor.  If you find 12 volts and the motor is not running, the problem is inside the motor.

[lfew1]

Thanks!  I will give this a try.  All the other electricals were working and I checked fusues so I suspect a motor problem.  It was pretty anemic before this. 

LFW

[lfew1]

There is power to the wiper motor and the wiring looks sounds.  I also cleaned the brushes and commutator, which appear to be in good shape. The wipers work (sort of)but the same thing happened again.  Could this be a switch problem?

Thanks,

LFW

[Gary MI]

I believe the clue to this problem is the sudden automatic starting of the wipers mentioned in the first post. You stated you checked the wiring, so that leaves two possibilities. Obviously the first is a bad switch and intermittent switch problems are not easy to troubleshoot. So R&R might be the only choice.

However, the second possibility is a loose self-parking adjustment cover on the motor. I would check the cover for looseness and proper position. If it is tight I would then pull the cover to check the contact is not bent or broken. Carefully check the wire to the cover. Remember that it is the grounding of the circuit that activates the wipers. If everything seems proper, replace the cover and adjust the self-parking to the proper position and then troubleshoot the dashboard wiper switch.

[lfew1]

Thanks!  Logical trouble shooting process. I noticed that the bolt that is part of the hood corner corner support extends almost to the wiper motor very close to the self-parking wire on top and might contact it on a bumpy road or hard corner.  Could that cause the fault?

LFW