window wiper will not turn off??

jamesjedi · 08-15-2004, 09:29 AM

On my 84 Carrera, the front window wiper will not turn off! All the settings work, however it stays on the lowest setting. Any info would be much appreciated.

Thanks James

RoninLB · 08-15-2004, 10:54 AM

the wiper circuit is more complicated and expensive that one might assume. Untill your research is completed I'd jump into the fuse area with 12ga wires and an on/off sw.

obulich · 07-23-2015, 03:18 PM

Yup, it is a complicated circuit but was hoping for a answer other than pulling the fuse. I have the same problem with my 85 Cabriolet, no amount of fooling with the switch will get the wiper to stop. A new switch is about $170 and thought I'd look here for some help first. It is locked in the intermittent setting. Any other suggestions?

Hnichols · Hnichols's Garage

I don't know about the front wiper, but in the rear the same problem can be caused by a poor connection in the circuit that stops the motor -- fixed easily by cleaning the relevant connection in the motor housing. Hopefully your problem can be solved by cleaning rather than pulling apart wires and circuits.

SpyderMike · 07-23-2015, 06:58 PM

Seems as though it most likely the switch or the relay. Once you switch off, the relay keeps the motor energized for a bit to allow parking. Some folks have opened the relay and cleaned the contacts to solve various issues. Here is an interesting read if you haven't come across it yet:

wipers not parking no intermittent wipers

Although their problem is no activity, yours can be due to a similar issue - contacts in the relay not opening. If it were me, I would snag that relay and pop it open and clean it.

If that didn't solve it, then I would disconnect the switch under the dash and buzz it with a multimeter in each switch position according to the diagram in the thread above.

My .02,
Mike

Reiver · 07-23-2015, 07:09 PM

...or move to Seattle....

RD911T · RD911T's Garage

I have a 71 with a similar problem. When I turn on the key the wipers go for about 3 cycles then stop. They will randomly, it seems, do it again later. Cars is not on the road yet do I haven't been able to pinpoint exactly what it does every time.

Upier · Upier's Garage

The problem is the switch/cam in the motor assembly. It is what triggers that the wiper is in the parked position. If it is not working the motor which is always powered keeps moving trying to get to the parked position.

RD911T · RD911T's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Upier

The problem is the switch/cam in the motor assembly. It is what triggers that the wiper is in the parked position. If it is not working the motor which is always powered keeps moving trying to get to the parked position.

Any insight into fixing this? Remove and repair the motor? Replace a part in the motor?

timmy2 · timmy2's Garage

For the '84, make sure the intermittent switch is all the way turned to the counter clockwise position. (Just in case)

Algernon · Algernon's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmy2

For the '84, make sure the intermittent switch is all the way turned to the counter clockwise position. (Just in case)

Agreed - That had me fooled for a while also - drove me nuts trying to cure it, when just turning off the 'intermittent wipe' finally did the trick!

fitchn · 07-24-2015, 11:00 AM

I'm not so familiar with the Carrera, but if the wiper circuit is like an SC then there are (at least) two failure modes that can leave the wipers on permanently. One is a failure in the relay, the other in the motor itself. IIRC there is a simple test to tell if it is the relay or not, but I'll have to consult the wiring diagram to remind myself of the details. If someone could post the wiper circuit for the 84 model...