70 wiper motor resistor

[Wayne B.]

I'm having some aggravations with my wiper motor. I had it out and bench tested it then took to cleaning it up but accidently (stupid hat on) damaged the small resisitor on the plug inside the motor. I've checked around and it seems you just can't get a resistor like that so I looked for a modern equivalent. Willcox has a pic of the resistor and labels it as 20.6 OHM resistor and I assume it is "wire wound" type (whatever that is) as it looks like a thin wire wrapped around a piece of asbestos. I called a local electronics store asking for a 20 OHM wire wound resistor and he said they had a variety in different wattages and needed to know what watt range it needed. I dunno. So, is a modern resistor an option to replace the old one? If so, what wattage would be running through that? or grounding or however it works.

[Graeme B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

I've got the same stupid hat. I'd be interested in finding out as well.
Graeme from OZ.

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

OK now, I've seen answers come up for the most obscure problems and these things get rebuilt somehow surely there's a guru or engineer on here that knows...unless...it's like the Coca-Cola recipe and all who know are sworn to secrecy!

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

OK now, I've seen answers come up for the most obscure problems and these things get rebuilt somehow surely there's a guru or engineer on here that knows...unless...it's like the Coca-Cola recipe and all who know are sworn to secrecy!

Wayne consider that among the 500 or so regular participants on this form there is no one who knows. I was recently at a "tech session" where a person who rebuilds wiper motors and pumps for a living gave a talk about his process. Based on what this person said I very much doubt he participates here. You do have to consider that the internet, or at least this corner of it, is not the font of all knowledge many ascribe to it. Sorry to burst your bubble, but reality bites.

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

ya, I've scoured the internet for the info and came up with zilch. Just took a shot because I've seen so many threads where the discussion went deep into complex math and metallurgy from the many engineers who post here that I thought it was worth a shot.

But if I have to buy a hundred fifty dollar motor or much more for a rebuild, over a part that I know for a fact is one dollar and nineteen cents well, I'd just feel just so used and cheap (but then again, it wouldn't be the first time when getting parts for a restoration)

The thing is, I don't even drive the car, I had an achilles rupture about twenty years ago and now my hip is giving trouble from the angle it shoved my foot so it feels like an ice pick in the hip to use a clutch (getting older is such a bother). Oh well, I'm about 95% of the way done with the restore and probably have to go ahead and sell it anyway.

[Terry M.]

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

Hmmmm, would using the biggest watt rated resistor be akin to shoving a penny behind a fuse till i could get down to the store for a new one? Oh, what the heck, I have a fire extinguisher!

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

Resisters are sometimes used as a fuse, and that is possible in this circumstance. Without knowing the circuit and I don't, I can't tell you for sure.

[Paul O.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

Wayne

Just a few suggestions:

1. Do you have a automotive electrical repair shop close to where you live. They may have wiper motors that they cannibalize parts from.

2. Junk yards with older GM cars may have wiper motors that are low cost and back then I would expected this resistor was used on a lot of GM models.

3. Buy a rebuild motor from say advance auto they are about $60 plus you have other parts if needed you can cannibalize from.

4. Our chapter president does rebuild wiper motors as a living call him he may have a part for you. His name is Steve Hack 513-553-2080 give him a call.

Hope this helps.

Paul 18046

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

Thanks, I just checked the posts a second ago as I was headed out the door to get a rebuilt motor to cannabalize. Autozone has them for, like you mentioned, about sixty bucks.

I'm not an electrical guy (always stayed away from things I can't see that can kill me) but was wondering if just hooking it up to a car battery to bench test would still push the same watts through that circuit if I tested it, then we'd all know what size resistor to use...of course I'd have to figure out how to use this voltage meter I borrowed, like I said, I don't mess with electricity that much.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

Thanks, I just checked the posts a second ago as I was headed out the door to get a rebuilt motor to cannabalize. Autozone has them for, like you mentioned, about sixty bucks.

I'm not an electrical guy (always stayed away from things I can't see that can kill me) but was wondering if just hooking it up to a car battery to bench test would still push the same watts through that circuit if I tested it, then we'd all know what size resistor to use...of course I'd have to figure out how to use this voltage meter I borrowed, like I said, I don't mess with electricity that much.

If that circuit is in the motor drive then the bench test will NOT put the same amps through it as pushing the wipers across the windshield, especially if they are pushing a load of snow.

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

I'm in Atlanta...what's snow?

[Ken P.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

Resistor wattage is usually relative to size. If you get the same ohms, type and size you should be ok.

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

So a 20 ohm resistor at 20 watts should work? or is it physical size? When I search 20 ohm resistors on the net they seem to come in every wattage from less than 1 up to 1000.

[Wayne B.]

Re: 70 wiper motor resistor

I sent an email to cardone, a remanufactured parts supplier, maybe they'll have the info, supposed to get back within 48 hours but we'll see if they're helpful or secretive.