Windsheild Wipers positioned in front of driver's side when off?

We just got almost 12 inches of snow where I live and when I went to start my car and turn on the wipers to clear my windows the wipers worked fine the problem started when I tried turning them off they no longer stop at the bottom of my windshield....instead they both stay up in front of my drivers side....anyone know what the problem could be???

My dad had mentioned that the motor got wet and that is why?? If so then will they reposition themselves once the motor has dried up?!

snow or ice keeping the motor from working correctly.

Take some warm water, dont go crazy w/ the temp of the water dont want you to crack the windshield, and poor by the bottom of the wipers. It will melt the snow/ice that might be keeping your wipers up.

Give it a try.

Tim

Another thought... your wiper arms may have stripped out. The arrms are made of really lightweight metal and strip easily. They are held inplace with a nut connecting to the motor shaft. Take your car inside to work on it, or at least get all ice/snow off the car. Remove the nut, and then remove the wipers (careful not to damage the wiper fluid lines). Check to see if they are stripped badly. If not, reposition them in thier resting position, and tighten the nut. This may work even if they are stripped slightly, but don't use them to wipe lots of snow off the windshield. After retightened, check for operation. This should suffice until you can get new ones from the dealer, junkyard, etc.

This is a common problem on this GM wiper system, the wipers will work fine when on, but park in a poor location.

The end of the wiper motor has a stamped steel plate attached to it with a formed tab. This tab acts as a location indicator for the motor when you switch to the off position (i.e. reverse the motor to retract the blades). In some instances the tab can become bent slightly, enough so that it will not contact at the proper stop point. Subsequently, the reversed motor continues to turn until is jams against some other area, not the intended toggle.

I had this exact problem. It is an easy fix, but time consuming. You must remove both wiper blades (make note their position on the spidles, this will help later during installation). Then remove the plastic cover that shields the drive assembly. On the drivers side wiper you will see a odd shaped flat plate with a formed up tab. From the factory this tab was bent at 90 degrees, you will likely find it to bent due to stress. With a solid screw driver and pliers it can be bent back to its correct location.

Good to know, the shop would make you get a new wiper motor just because of the fricking steel plate bent incorrectly.

I also think there was a factory recall on the wipers for this exact reason. I think they reinforce the end tab. Check with your local Pontiac dealer (service department). If I am not mistaken, I got a letter in the mail about this and had it fixed (they do it for free if it is a recall) when I had other work performed on my car. Check it out.

I also think there was a factory recall on the wipers for this exact reason. I think they reinforce the end tab. Check with your local Pontiac dealer (service department). If I am not mistaken, I got a letter in the mail about this and had it fixed (they do it for free if it is a recall) when I had other work performed on my car. Check it out.


The recall you mentioned was checking to see if the crank arm has a black plastic cover over it! This problem is not a covered warranty item. Turning on the wipers when they are frozen to the glass or when you turn the wipers on when the glass is covered with snow and ice is your cause. Only thing to do is make sure the wipers are free and clear of snow/ice.

Yes this is a common problem but it is caused by the owner's improper use.

Hey GP enthusiasts/owners... please bear with me. I am new to the site and have been reading for the last few days with interest in the knowledge I see here. You folks make it all sound so easy... Unfortunately, I am having a problem with my 2001 GP wiper "parked" in the up position. I planned to do exactly what has been recommended here, but I can't find a release clip on the base of the wipers to remove them. Does anyone have the answer?

The problem description and solution offered by Prinah was right on the money for my 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT that had the same problem. After a considerable ice and snow storm, the wipers would work fine when on, but then move to straight up position on the windshield when turned off. The metal tab being bent was indeed the problem. The advice saved me a trip to the dealer. I was sure glad to have researched this on the forum. Thanks for the help

I'm not sure about your 2001, but my 1997 Grand Prix GT has a plastic cap you remove to reveal a 1/2" nut that secures the wiper to the shaft.

I'm not sure about your 2001, but my 1997 Grand Prix GT has a plastic cap you remove to reveal a 1/2" nut that secures the wiper to the shaft.
:banghead:
I have taken the plastic cap off and removed the 1/2" nut. I still haven't been able to get the arm off of the shaft. It doesn't appear to be corroded or something that simple.... I've twisted, pulled, pried, and still can't get ot off.

Guy at work have same problem on his 96 Grand Prix SE 2 door and 02 Monte Carlo SS

Guy at work have same problem on his 96 Grand Prix SE 2 door and 02 Monte Carlo SS

Sorry but please do not resurrect old threads. If you have information of benefit to this forum then start new thread. Any thread over 3 months old is classified as old. Thread closed.


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