Funny wiper Problems

[DocBob1497]

1998 Pontiac GP GTP...My wipers were working fine until this afternoon when I put them in the off position and the went streight up and stayed there. When I turn them back on they work fine but the won't go into park mode like they should.....What are my options and what should I try on my own???

[crx1989]

I had the same problem awhile back with my 98 GT. There are two possible problems with it. One being electrical and the other mechanical. There is a module that controls the wiper that can burn a component in it if something obstructs the wipers. If that is not your case then it is a mechanical problem in which my case was. I had to take the mechanism out to figure what was going on with it. I found that it was a little spring that got a little bent when I turned the wipers on to clear some snow off my windshield. I believe that it is at the base of the motor where the wiper mechanism coonects. You might not have to take the wiper out to fix it if this is your problem. You will have to the wiper blades off and the big plastic guard that covers the wiper motor, this spans across the bottom of the windshield. There is a little spring that is supposed to catch the wipers when they are turned off. It is not a coil type spring, it is a straight piece of metal with a rectangular piece on the end that catches the wiper arm when the motor reverses to park the wipers. It should make a clicking sound when the wipers are on. So take the wipers off and the cover and look and see if you can see the spring. I don't have diagram in front of me to be 100% sure where the spring is and if it is accessable without taking the whole thing out but I do have it at home. I have the factory service manual at home I have to dig out to diagnose another problem so if your still scratching your head after this, write back and I will give you something more concrete tommorow.