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Figured this out today and wanted to share thinking it might help someone else out. Was having trouble with the windshield wipers starting and stopping, and eventually not working at all. Volt meter on dash was also suggesting a large draw while wipers were working. The problem turned out to be a small ground wire on the housing of the wiper switch. The kick in the pants was the wire looked fine from the outside. It wasn't until I cut it and applied it directly to the switch housing that the wipers jumped back to life and worked fine. So if anyone else is having trouble with their windshield wipers try taking a look at that ground wire.
Edit: Problem turned out to be wiper relay, read below for bypass.
Last edited by WolfMann; Feb 21, 2024 at 06:15 PM.
Reason: Relay bypass
Good job, man card stamped
That is a damn common issue IMO
First step for me (when diagnosing one) is to use an alligator clip test lead and ground the motor and retest
So, what did you do to fix it?
Run a ground wire or replace the wiper motor?
I ended up making a new ground wire out of a thicker gauge wire for the wiper switch, screwed into the hollow back of switch (making sure to avoid contact with energized points system) and bolted into the same spot below fuse box that the original ground wire was. Wipers are currently working well.
If you remove the relay you'll see there are two connections. A red one that goes to the wiper switch and a black one that goes to the wiper motor. Red and black connection pins
Now if you take the female end of that black connection that runs to the wiper motor you'll see there's a little plastic pin in the middle of it. The screwdriver is pointing to where the plastic pin is, I already drilled it out.
Now with that pin out of there you should be able to plug your wiper switch back in, your intermittent setting won't work but you should have access to high and low speed.
I'd like to mention too that the proper way to fix this is to open the relay and solder, or replace the broken parts. I may end up doing this at some point myself. However if you're in a pinch or on the side of the road this should help get you there or home.
Safe driving everyone.
And God Bless!
Wanted to let everyone know a two speed switch will work in place of the intermittent switch. I ordered one of ebay, Standard DS576. Installed it today and the wipers work, no more paperclip jumper pin. Hope this helps someone dealing with windshield wiper issues.
