Wipers shut off after carwash

[JoshBarber]

Wierdest thing. Went through the carwash, and on exit, couldnt get the wipers to come on. I assume a wet connection, but can't find where. They worked again within 5 minutes. I did hear this weird intermittant murmer coming from the passenger side for a while Real quiet. Not sure what that was from.
Anyone else have this problem?

[mike2004tct]

Not sure if the pulse board was a problem for your year, but it certainly was on all '97 model GM/GMC trucks.
The pulse board mounts to the wiper motor under the hood in about the center of the firewall, and when mine wouldn't work (the slightest hint of moisture on the windshield) I could hear the motor itself whining.

It's a $25-40 item depending where you buy it, and most parts stores carry them.

[JoshBarber]

Originally Posted by mike2004tct

Not sure if the pulse board was a problem for your year, but it certainly was on all '97 model GM/GMC trucks.
The pulse board mounts to the wiper motor under the hood in about the center of the firewall, and when mine wouldn't work (the slightest hint of moisture on the windshield) I could hear the motor itself whining.

It's a $25-40 item depending where you buy it, and most parts stores carry them.

Is this piece a round piece in the center of the firewall? I saw a small drip of moisture on this round piece there. That was the only hint I had so far. Is it an easy replacement to do myself? Do you need anything to reseal it?

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by JoshBarber

Is this piece a round piece in the center of the firewall? I saw a small drip of moisture on this round piece there. That was the only hint I had so far. Is it an easy replacement to do myself? Do you need anything to reseal it?

Open your hood and follow the wiper arm to where it passes through to the motor which is mounted on the underside of the drip panel. The motor will have a large connector plugged into the left side of it.You'll see a black plastic cover on the underside of the motor. 3 screws hold the cover on (along with some type of RTV sealant). remove the connector and the screws, then the pc board (pulse board) slides out.

[blazer42]

Inside the wiper controller under the hood, the electrical board can be resoldered and that should take care of your problem.

[JoshBarber]

Originally Posted by blazer42

Inside the wiper controller under the hood, the electrical board can be resoldered and that should take care of your problem.

Is this under the hood, against the center of the firewall? I wish we had more photos on this forum. It's easier to circle and point specific things out. Is it difficult to get to?
thanx
J

[Allbert]

Yep, under the hood about the center of the firewall... super easy to get to, super easy to re-solder the connector terminal joints. Did mine the first week after buying my '98 with inop wipers and they have worked great ever since. Would definitely attempt the DIY repair before buying a new board... it'll probably take you longer to drive to a parts store than it will to fix your own (if your soldering iron heats up pretty quick).

[JoshBarber]

Originally Posted by Allbert

Yep, under the hood about the center of the firewall... super easy to get to, super easy to re-solder the connector terminal joints. Did mine the first week after buying my '98 with inop wipers and they have worked great ever since. Would definitely attempt the DIY repair before buying a new board... it'll probably take you longer to drive to a parts store than it will to fix your own (if your soldering iron heats up pretty quick).

I've located it, but how do I know if I should be resoldering? It's not a permanent problem....this is the first time it happened, and obviously is due to the fact that something got wet in the carwash.

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by JoshBarber

I've located it, but how do I know if I should be resoldering? It's not a permanent problem....this is the first time it happened, and obviously is due to the fact that something got wet in the carwash.

The easiest thing to do would be to go to your local library and look up a Haynes or other type of service/repair manual.

The dinky town I live in has 2 of them, so any public library should most likely have one.

As for the repair, this is a well known and discussed problem for GM wiper assemblies. The terminals that the connector plugs into have bad solder joints on them. Reflow and add solder to the terminal joints. If the problem occurs again, or you don't have soldering equipment,replace the pulse board.

[TonyMazz]

Originally Posted by JoshBarber

I've located it, but how do I know if I should be resoldering? It's not a permanent problem....this is the first time it happened, and obviously is due to the fact that something got wet in the carwash.

you seem to have alot of problems with water.....

Water on the floor, water on wiper board....geez.....

[Allbert]

To answer the question of whether re-soldering will help, if you look (really hard) at the little mounds of solder where the connector terminals meet the board, you may see where the solder has actually cracked around the terminal. The plant I work in makes transmission solenoids and control modules, and we actually had a similar defect a while back. Less than perfect solder joints can fail from fatigue with vibration.

[JoshBarber]

Originally Posted by Allbert

To answer the question of whether re-soldering will help, if you look (really hard) at the little mounds of solder where the connector terminals meet the board, you may see where the solder has actually cracked around the terminal. The plant I work in makes transmission solenoids and control modules, and we actually had a similar defect a while back. Less than perfect solder joints can fail from fatigue with vibration.

I agree, if it was a vibration thing, or a random stoppage in function while driving or sitting or whatever. But this happened immediately coming out of the car wash. I'm nearly positive its water related. This being the case, it wouldnt need to be resoldered...right? More like water is making it into somewhere it shouldnt....correct? That being the case....is there somewhere I need to reseal on this component?
thanks!

[barpat96]

My 97 Blazer had the wiper problems a few years ago, luckily i got it fixed under the recall. As to your question if this is related to water, well who knows without seeing it. Try letting it dry out and see if they still work. if not then look at other solutions. i wouldn't let it linger too long. You might actually need to use your wipers (like in a monsoon) and all you can do to get to where you need to go is drive with your head out the window (Not fun). Remember, All problems start with a first time.
Good luck

[JoshBarber]

before you go replacing your wiper module, double check your connector/wire connection to it. Put your wipers on low, and mess with the wire. Mine, which shuts off when I go through car washes (i.e.- water) either has a loose connection, or a short in the wire somewhere. I can get mine to come back one by moving the wire and connection. I'll try to locate exactly WHAT the issue is tomorrow in the light and report back.

[toenailclippers]

Dont solder it.....spendthe 30 bucks and get a new pulse board and fix it right the FIRST time instead of tearing it apart 5 or 6 times