e30 windshield wiper problem

[jnbibbee]

The windshield wipers on my 1987 e30 325is are stopping in the middle of the window instead of at the bottom. Operation of the wipers is normal while they are on, they just do not stop at the bottom.

I read the servie manual section and it does not mention this problem, however it does say the wiper motor should stop in its "park position". I suspect it is either the wiper motor or the wiper motor control unit. Has anyone had this problem before?

[p911sc]

jnbibbee,
Did you ever solve your problem. I have the same problem. It appears that the wiper park function exists but it is parking the wiper in the wrong place.

Anyone else?

Thanks in advance
Rick

Rick

[Yurick]

Have you tried unbolting the wipers, manually putting them into the parked position, and then bolting them back on?

[p911sc]

I haven't since the wiper travels the full distance (ie. at its low point, it is about 1"
above the lower window molding. At its high point, it is near the drivers pillar molding. When the wiper parks, it parks at a point somewhere in between. If I reset the wiper on the spline, won't that cause the wiper to dive below the molding??

This problem first occured when I started the windshield wipers and the windshield was full of snow. When there was no movement, I freed the wiper and ever since, it has parked in the center of the windshield. I don't think it has skipped on the splined shaft but I suppose it is possible??
Rick

[Yurick]

I don't know, it was just the first thought that came to my head.

[p911sc]

Yurick,
Thanks for the toughts. It seems like it should be something obvious. I replaced the motor several years ago and I still have the old one laying around so I opened it up. There is a metallic disk connected to the driveshaft. There are 2 contacts connenting to the disc. Where one contact touches the disc, it is continuous metal all the way around (entire circumference). Where the other contact touches, there is a plastic insert (representing about 10 degrees of the circumference), which breaks contact at the a certain point in the rotation. I am guessing that the wiper switch on the steering column determines which contact is used. When switched to the off position, it selects the contact with a radius that touches the plastic insert and the plastic insert breakes the circuit and stops the wipers at the park position. I am stumped as to how this could change, short of a bent linkage. I am hoping to play around this weekend when the weather gets a little better.

[Yurick]

You are most likely on the right track.

[p911sc]

The problem appears to have been the linkage. I was checking for play. I started the wipers to watch the motion and provided a little resistance to the movement. It went right back in place. Not the way I would have planned it but it worked.
Rick

[Yurick]

Glad you got it fixed.