85 Windshield Wipers Acting Up

[RageCage]

All of a sudden my windshield wipers are acting weird. FIrst of all, they are slower than normal. Secondly, when I have then in low, or in high, they park themnselves down below the windshield each time they make a complete sweep, then start up again, after being parked for a second.

They still work normally in "intermittent" mode, except for moving more slowly than usual.

The battery light is not coming on, the headlights are bright, and turn signal speed is normal, so I think the alternator is OK and the wipers are getting normal power.

My initial thought is that the circuit board in the washer pump, which controls the wipers, is hosed up. The washer pump / circuit board combo is 4 years old. Got it from AutoZone.

Anything else it could be ? Any other relays or something I could check, before replacing the washer pump / circuit board combo ?

Thanks,

Rage

[TommySS]

Wow, I didn't know AutoZone sold the circuit boards. Cool.

I've had to replace mine 3 or 4 times over 20 years.

[RageCage]

I bought a new washer pump /circuit board and it didn't help much. It worked sort of, but was parking after each swipe. Maybe the old motor was shorting out and frying the new circuit.

Today I bought a rebuilt wiper motor with the washer pump and board in it too, and installed it. Everything works right now.

$52 at AutoZone for the motor / pump / board combo.

[BobM46128]

Do you have your old wiper motor? If so, see if there is a round plastic cover that comes off the front. If so, there is a metal/plastic covered wheel with about three contacts rubbing on the wheel. These contacts get dirty/corroded and can sometimes be cleaned. Sorry I didn't see your post before. I sold my Caprice and just stop by now and again. But maybe the info will help someone else!