Ultimate IQ test, please help

[No Quarter]

It's about the wiper motor on my 89 Riviera, the model with the buttons on the instrument panel. I've read through all Buick posts with the word wiper, but my problem seems to be more complex. Here's what it does:

Hi Wiper: works OK but does not return when Wipers Off is pushed
Lo Wiper: starts Pulse, it's exactly like pushing the Pulse button. Does not return when Wipers Off is pushed
Pulse: works OK but does not return when Wipers Off is pushed
Push to Wash: doesn't work unless wipers are already activated, then it works OK

I'm pretty sure it's electrical, not mechanical. I've cleaned all connections, and had the Wiper Cover off the motor, everything looks fine, no rust, nothing looks bent. All the buttons on the instrumentpanel do light up when pushed.

Any good ideas?

[joshnumber21]

jeez, sounds like deja vu to me. I have a 89 as well, and it was doing the exact same thing. It lasted about 7 months after I bought the car, and then all of a sudden stopped....hasn't done it since. It was to the point where I had to alternate between the HI wiper speed, and OFF to get them to go all the way down eventually. I expect things like this on mine seeing as it has 230,000 on the original motor........

how long has yours been doing that?

[No Quarter]

Well, mine stopped doing it after a few day. Then it started again. At that time I hit the instrument panel hard with a fist, and it suddenly worked. So my theory is that it's the microswitches, not the wipermotor. Have you changed the motor or anything?

Is that 230k miles on the engine. Mine has 165k miles, it uses a little oil but works perfect.

[joshnumber21]

no, my motor is still original, i also punched the dash a few times, and in hindsight, that might've been what made it shape up. it hasn't happened since it went straight (about 13 months)

My 230k is on the engine. uses maybe....1/4 qt. of oil a month, no smoking, no leaking, hell, no nothing. i cant complain.

[No Quarter]

Hi again.
I live in Denmark, and it maybe is the only 89 Riviera in this country. One thing puzzles me about it, no cupholder and no map pockets in the doors. Was that an option that the original owner forgot to buy?

[joshnumber21]

Wow, I was thinking the same thing everytime I go through a drive-thru. WHY no cupholders? My Riviera has every option that was offered, and I'm assuming that cupholder was not an option.
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