Midyear wiper motor operational issue

[Larry M.]

I had a different post/thread about mounting a new motor in the car. Now installed I have a different issue. Initially it would not run. If you turned the wiper switch you heard a click but no motor action. I've been told this signaled a lack of ground, the single terminal connection, but this is not the case. I fixed it by reaching under the dash and "jiggling" the pivot arm on the motor. Then it ran reliably, both speeds and the pump. During installation I had to install the pivot arm so maybe I had gotten the wiper transmission shaft out of position. So next I attached the wiper link arms to the pivot arm which involves putting some pressure on the pivot arm. Same issue and solved the same way...wouldn't run...jiggled the arm...all OK now. So here is the question. Can anyone give me a hint at what is happening? Since the motor is at the parked position I'm guessing that moving the pivot arm just a little causes a contact to open or some such which puts the motor in limbo and jiggling the arm closes the contact. But someone who has some knowledge of these things may "know" what the deal is. I'm just trying to figure out if I have a big issue (with a part I just bought) or nothing to be concerned about. Thanks!!

[Marco H.]

Re: Midyear wiper motor operational issue

Larry,
It appears as there might be a contact within the wiper motor that is not 100% operational, and by you wiggling the shaft, are helping it along. I assume it is a restored motor. If the issue persists, I would talk to the person, who did the work on it. By my own experience, these restored wiper motors do not like to lay on the shelf unused for a long period of time. I'va had a few that needed some coaxing until they ran for a while. After that they were fine. Hope this helps.
Marco

[Larry M.]

Re: Midyear wiper motor operational issue

Marco, you've confirmed that someone else has had the issue, which is good.....I hate to have unexplainable unique problems. Yes, it is a restored original 5044518. And you also think that exercising the motor basically fixes it. But I'm hoping someone else knows the internals and can give more insight. My supplier said he doesn't understand it either. I'm wondering if there is something I need to lubricate in there.

[Edward J.]

Re: Midyear wiper motor operational issue

Larry, If the wiper motor has it speeds and operates normally. it is like something to do with park switch or something keeping the wipers from fully setting in the park position. Do you recall if the left and right wiper pivots were moving freely when the motor was out.

[Larry M.]

Re: Midyear wiper motor operational issue

Edward - yes they were and are....but also remember, I had the issue even before I attached the link arms.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Midyear wiper motor operational issue

Larry,

I have the same problem with the wiper motor on my 67 and it's been restored. I believe there is a over current switch (for lack of a better word) that opens if the motor gets hot and the points in that contact can become oxidized.

PIA to remove the motor, mine worked fine after installing but from sitting the same problem as you. Also, keep in mind the dash switch works by grounding to the dash, you can defeat the dash switch by grounding the wires at the motor.

[Larry M.]

Re: Midyear wiper motor operational issue

Thanks Timothy - hope we all can get a definitive answer from someone who has worked on these but knowing about the over current contact is good. Wasn't sure how the dash switch closed to ground but I had this issue when connecting my motor directly to the engine ground as the service manual describes. In fact, I first got it to run when wired this way.