windshield wipers getting stuck
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Junior User
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windshield wipers getting stuck
my windshield wipers are getting stuck when they return back across to the down position. it's almost like it's missing a stop and going too far down and the motor wont pull it back up from that point. i can free them up but they're only good for one trip across...if i stop them with my hand before they get too low they'll go back across the windshield but if i just let them go they get stuck every time!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
The wiper motor turns in complete circles, the arms are run on an elliptical motion making them go back & forth.
Sounds like bushings are badly worn. Until you can get it figured out, you might try relocating the wiper arm on the shaft to see if it will come back up again.
John
Sounds like bushings are badly worn. Until you can get it figured out, you might try relocating the wiper arm on the shaft to see if it will come back up again.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
You cannot relocate the wiper arms on the pivots, they only go on one way.
The wiper pivots have fine splines on them, as do the wiper arms, but...if you look closely at these splines, you will see a slight space within them.
When the wiper arm is installed on the pivot, you have to line up these spaces.
If you use force to relocate the arms on the pivots, you will strip the splines, rendering the pivots worthless.
When wipers are turned off, the Parking Switch brings the wipers to the down position.
If the Parking Switch is defective, the wipers will stop in whatever position they are in, or will continue down past the windshield, ending up on the cowl.
This switch is located on the inside of the wiper motor's cover, and what usually happens is...the contacts get corroded.
Remove the cover from the wiper motor, then use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts, see if that solves the problem.
The wiper pivots have fine splines on them, as do the wiper arms, but...if you look closely at these splines, you will see a slight space within them.
When the wiper arm is installed on the pivot, you have to line up these spaces.
If you use force to relocate the arms on the pivots, you will strip the splines, rendering the pivots worthless.
When wipers are turned off, the Parking Switch brings the wipers to the down position.
If the Parking Switch is defective, the wipers will stop in whatever position they are in, or will continue down past the windshield, ending up on the cowl.
This switch is located on the inside of the wiper motor's cover, and what usually happens is...the contacts get corroded.
Remove the cover from the wiper motor, then use a pencil eraser to clean the contacts, see if that solves the problem.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
You cannot relocate the wiper arms on the pivots, they only go on one way.
The wiper pivots have fine splines on them, as do the wiper arms, but...if you look closely at these splines, you will see a slight space within them.
When the wiper arm is installed on the pivot, you have to line up these spaces.
If you use force to relocate the arms on the pivots, you will strip the splines, rendering the pivots worthless.
The wiper pivots have fine splines on them, as do the wiper arms, but...if you look closely at these splines, you will see a slight space within them.
When the wiper arm is installed on the pivot, you have to line up these spaces.
If you use force to relocate the arms on the pivots, you will strip the splines, rendering the pivots worthless.
Splain yourself
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
The splines on the pivots, original arms were IIIIII IIIIII note the gap or space within the splines.
When the arms were installed on the pivots, the gap (space) within the splines only allowed the arms to be installed one way.
This was a feature of every Ford vehicle for decades.
If you have 'universal' aka fitzall autoparts store wiper arms, there is no space or gap within the splines of the arms.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Bill, I have no reason to believe they were not original. I did move them with no issues, and on more than one truck. This is the first time that I recall ever seeing anything about the spline pattern posted, other mounting issues yes.
Should there have been issues with the splines I believe I would have picked up on it.
John
Should there have been issues with the splines I believe I would have picked up on it.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Bill, I have no reason to believe they were not original. I did move them with no issues, and on more than one truck. This is the first time that I recall ever seeing anything about the spline pattern posted, other mounting issues yes.
Should there have been issues with the splines I believe I would have picked up on it.John
Should there have been issues with the splines I believe I would have picked up on it.John
The splines on the pivot's these wiper arms fit onto, have the gap within the splines, as do the arms. This gap was put there so the wiper arms could only be installed one way.
If swapping the arms from one place to another on the pivots, this will wear the splines down.
Sooner or later, usually sooner, the pivot's splines will flatten out, then you will need new pivots.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I went out and looked at the passenger side wiper and couldn't remember the combo to get the arm off.
Anyone have suggestions, I didn't want to bugger it up.
John
Anyone have suggestions, I didn't want to bugger it up.
John
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
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thanks guys...they're not fallin all the way down on the rubber it like a maybe an inch low... and it's like the arms are getting in a bind. i got to looking and the wiper motor is missing one of the bolts that hold it to the firewall...i'll check the park thing but i just remembered that bolt was missing...
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,060
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From: Glendale Arizona
John there is a small tang at the bottom of the wiper arm. It must be moved out and the arm pressed up to clear the bottom of the splines.
I use a large flat screwdriver with a 10 degree bend on the last inch and a rag to protect the paint. catch the tab and pry out and gently up.
Garbz
I use a large flat screwdriver with a 10 degree bend on the last inch and a rag to protect the paint. catch the tab and pry out and gently up.
Garbz
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