Several weeks back we had a pretty good ice/snow storm and ice buildup from setting outside caused the wipers to not work since the arms couldn't move. Naturally I kept trying the switch until I discovered what the problem was. After clearing the ice from the cowl the wipers worked fine.

A couple of days ago I took the car to a car wash and the wipers would not work at all when activating the wiper switch. The only time they did work was when I pushed the switch in that activates the washer/wiper combination. As soon as I release the switch the wipers would make one final pass then stop as they should.

So, wiper doesn't work using the lo/high switch but will work when I push the switch in to activate the washer/wiper cycle.

Ideas? Bad switch maybe?

Dale,

I was/am having almost the exact problem you are. I thought it was the switch, but TC member Elree Colby tested it for me when he rebuilt my original motor. Switch turned out to be ok.

It turned out I was having a ground issue. I used some coarse sandpaper & removed the paint around the mounting bolts on the firewall area where the motor mounts. Everything was working fine after that.

Fast forward a few months, nothing changed, same problem showed up again. Wipers wont work in normal cycle, only the washer pump will activate them. :confused:

I gave up as my car doesn't see any rain, but I am hopeful you get a informative response that will persuade me to try again!

It is suppose to warm up this week, I'll give it a try. I've had the Elky for over 7 years and never experienced a problem with the wipers. I can't believe this particular cold spell event caused the problem, it just so happened that when they didn't work it was the first time I'd even tried them since the ice incident. But like most things mechanical they work fine and then they don't. Several NASCAR guys discovered that today...running fine a 180mph then they blow an engine and it doesn't run so fine anymore. :thumbsup:

Dale, make sure the switch has a good ground to the dash. There is a star washer on the switch behind the dash, if the switch is loose it will not make ground.

Dale,
I have been going through this same problem. My wiper motor was fried (corroded and fell apart on the inside). Yours has been working so that probably wouldn't be it.
Take a volt meter and check at the motor.
The yellow, light blue, and dark blue should all be hot with the switch turned off and key turned on. Should be same voltage as the battery if you check it first. 12.5 or whatever.
Turn the switch to the first click (low)....Now only the yellow should be hot and the light blue and dark blue should be grounded no voltage.
Turn the switch to high.....now only the light blue should be grounded and the other two hot.
You can check at the switch also but requires dropping the steering column and the dash to get to. Pull the connector off just far enough so you can get the prong of the tester to each of the three prongs of the switch.
Light blue, Dark blue and black should all be hot, 12.5, when switch off.
Only the dark blue should be hot at low and both dark blue and black hot with switch on high.
If this all checks out then the switch is working.
You could check the fuse at the fuse block with a test light to make sure you have juice there.
Another thing is to check that the bulkhead connector is tight and clean.
You could turn the switch on and try pecking the motor lightly with a hammer like I have done to a starter before. Don't know how often you drive the vehicle.
I have been all over this stuff researching. Think I have this right.
Hope this helps.