wiper/washer questions

[SizzleChest]

is there supposed to be 2 wiper speeds on my cruiser? i pull the knob to the first stop and the wipers work fine, i pull it out all the way and they just stop right where they are. is there a faster speed that isn't working? what are the likely causes?

also, my washer doesn't work. the pump wasn't working and was all rusty so i bought a new one ($35) and it still doesn't work, so the problem is somewhere between the switch and the pump. Does it use a seperate ground contact from the wiper? if it's not that, would it just be an electrical break somewhere?

 

[spotcruiser]

Yep, you should have two wiper speeds. I'd pull the switch out of the dash and give it a shot of contact cleaner. Clean the plug while your at it. You might also want to pull the wiper motor cover and clean the plug connections there. I think there is also a plug under the dash, just inboard of the glove box. Clean em all.

IIRC, the washer contact at the switch is really just a ground connection. Power runs from the fuse to the washer motor and then to the switch where the circuit is completed to ground. You'll see the grounding contact near the front of the switch. Probably just rusted or oxidized and not making good contact.

Good Luck.
Todd Bull.

 

[SizzleChest]

ok, cleaned the switch up and the washer motor now has power, even the old rusted one. the second setting on the wiper switch works, but not any faster than the first setting - the exact same speed.

 

[spotcruiser]

I'd check the wiring from the switch to the motor. Pull the motor cover and make sure you are getting power to the proper terminals at each switch position. I think you should be getting power to the slow speed brush or the high speed brush, but not both at the same time. Verify your connections. Perhaps a PO jumpered out one speed because of a problem (bad brush, maybe).

Something that might be having an effect is lubrication. Make sure all of the linkage is well lubricated and moving freely. You can pull the defroster shields to gain access to the wiper linkage.

Also, wipers don't move very freely across a dry windshield. Spray some water on there when you are trying to test the wiper speeds.

Check out this link: http://www.vtr.org/maintain/wiper-motor/
This is basically what you have. Let me know if you need a wiring diagram.

Todd Bull.

 

[mattcobb]

Re - Washer Switch - so are you saying that if I wire my new washer motor to a hot wire someplace - and then to the washer switch - when i activate the switch it completes the circuit and will fire up the motor?

 

[spotcruiser]

Yep.

On most devices, power goes from the fuse to the switch first, then to the controlled device, and then ground to complete the circuit. The washer switch is different (mid seventies cruisers, don't know about earlier or later.)

Power for the washer runs from the fuse to the washer pump motor, then to the switch. When you turn the washer switch, it grounds the wire coming from the washer pump motor to complete the circuit. You really need to see the switch to understand it. The wiper contacts are all internal to the switch, but the washer contact is external to the switch housing.

Look at your wiper/washer switch and you'll see the contact arm that rotates when you turn the knob. That is your washer contact.

You definitely need a fuse in the circuit, though, in case the wire upstream of the motor grounds out.

 

[spotcruiser]

Hey Brendan,

Now that I look at the wiring diagram, I see that the washer AND wiper operate in the same manner. Power runs from the fuse to the motor, and THEN to ground through the switch. It shouldn't take but a few minutes to isolate the speed problem to either the motor or the switch.

Note: The wiper link I posted earlier is still a good representation, but wired opposite of the cruiser. The link shows the switch wired the way you would normally expect it to be (switched power, with ground downstream of the motor). Keep in mind that the cruiser wiper/washer is wired for a switched ground.


Good Luck.
Todd Bull.

 

[NJFJ40]

FWIW - My 02/80 FJ40 wipers don't work much faster on the high setting. They eventually do wipe faster but it takes a min or so and even then its not really alot faster than the slow speed.

AndrewT