1970 Buick Skylark/GS 350 Well...I've read all the threads about wipers and none of them are exactly the problem I'm having. I replaced the switch already and it didn't remedy the issue. When the switch is on the wipers work fine on slow and fast speed. The washer button works fine also. The problem is when the switch is turned off the wipers continue to pulse. They only move about 6 inches and return to park again. It does this over and over until I'm forced to unplug it to get it to stop. Sometimes I can turn the ignition off and it will stop but 90% of the time no matter how long it's off or unplugged it returns to this possessed behavior. I'll check for the ground tang tomorrow along with the park position with the wiper arms removed. Has anyone ever had this problem before? I'd appreciate any feedback because I'm pretty much at a loss.uzzled:
I had that happen to me many moons ago with a '71 skylark that I had. Had to replace the wiper motor. Something was shorting out inside of it.
There is a ground wire that leads off one of the switch mounting screws. It goes to the light switch. If that ground is off, the wipers will do what you describe.
Thanks Larry...That's the first diagram I've seen on any post related to this. So just to make sure. Bottom right of wiper switch is a black wire on a brass tang that connects to the headlight switch. If it's not connected and I connect it I will effectively exorcise my demon. So to speak! lol!
X2 on the ground. Also make sure you did not disconnect the dash ground while you were under there. I had one once that this happened and the wipers would pulse with the turn signals.
Yes, should take care of it. Typically, the wiper switch mounting breaks away at the dash, and that wire never gets attached. If you can't find that wire, just ground any of the mounting screws for the switch to a metal portion of the dash.
problem could also be caused by a failed park mechanism in the wiper motor. what i learned when the wiper switch ground was disconnected was that the wipers would would run at one speed and would not park. connecting the ground wire solved my problem. i eventually replaced the wiper motor with an ac delco rebuild unit because the motor failed.
Ok I replaced the switch, I fixed the ground and I replaced the wiper motor. I'm convinced it's a wiring flaw somewhere. I'm just gonna take it to a shop because I've had enough. I'm incredibly flabbergasted to the point of babbling. Thanks for y'all's suggestions but I'm just completely done. I'm through with stuffing myself under the dash and not being able to see due to poor vision.
I was having some wierd probs with my 71 and hoped it wouldnt rain when i was driving...after a few hours of driving in misty rain I realized that my stainless trim at the bottom of the windshield was too high and the wipers were getting stuck when shut off (going to rest position) cause they couldn't climb over the trim to hide under the hood? Prob not your problem but thought i would chime in..
It's an old thread but I had to do a search because the wipers on my 71 x clone are also possessed. After many times of the wipers coming on for no apparent reason, some times just a few swipes then they would shut off but yesterday as I pulled into the car show " cruising on central" they came on and would not shut off.....so not cool driving through the car show looking for a parking spot with wipers going in Arizona where it hasn't rained in a monthou: It's happened enough that I swear that they only come on after I put the turn signal (left) on. Now that I read this post I see someone mentioned that if the ground is off the switch the wipers may come on after you use the turn signal. Looks like I'm going back under the dash again. Great thread:TU: Gord
