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RVLimey's avatar
RVLimey
Explorer
Nov 26, 2014

Wipers have a mind of their own

Hi, I drive a 2003 Pace Arrow on W-22 chassis. In the past four years I have replaced wiper motor twice. I have replaced wiper module three times. Problem is when I need the wipers to work, they usually last about an hour before they either stop working and leaving the wipers at the outside edge of the windshield. or stutter like moving slowly then speed up. Then when I change the speed of the wipers they usually only work on high speed. At times I have to pull over on the highway, shut the engine off and then when I restart they are ok for a while before the problems return.
If anyone has any advise I am at "wits end". Yesterday traveling I-5 in heavy rain with this problem was really scary. I stopped in at a garage and they cleaned the brushes on the motor and checked all the connections and ground. Tomorrow we are driving over the Siskiou's and we may have some rain....I can't wait....
Thanks for any advise..

6 Replies

  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Nov 27, 2014
    I agree with the "any of the above" response, but I know from experience on a GM car, that GROUND is very critical. The idea of a "Low-Off-High" switch would probably work, but the driver would have to "park" the wipers by turning that switch to "Off" right when they were where s/he wanted them to stay. I think the OEM wiper switch is trickier than you'd think, allowing the wipers to stay powered till parked.
  • imgoin4it's avatar
    imgoin4it
    Explorer
    Nov 27, 2014
    Could be any of the above problems. Another possibility is the switch itself. It controls the speed, the intermittent interval etc.
  • wilanddij's avatar
    wilanddij
    Explorer
    Nov 27, 2014
    Make sure all the electrical connectors for the wiper circuits behind the front hood are not getting wet. This is a known problem with Fleetwood coaches on Workhorse chassis of that vintage. The usual symptom of this problem is that the wipers won't stop, but there may be others. I solved the not stopping problem I had on one connector with a hair dryer, some vaseline, and wrapping it in saran wrap.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Nov 27, 2014
    As Bill Clinton once said "I feel your pain". My wiper motor died a year back and looked and looked and could not find a replacement. Not at Thor, not at Workhorse, not even on eBay. Ended up sending it to be rebuilt. When it came back and plugged it in, it worked great. So great it would not stop running. Instead of continuing the saga, I put a switch on the dash. When I need wipers, I flip the switch.
  • ernie1's avatar
    ernie1
    Explorer II
    Nov 26, 2014
    I had a sorta similiar problem with my Chevy van. Similar in that it was erratic in it's operation. I think, in your case, I would try connecting a new ground wire from the body of the wiper motor( pick any screw or bolt) to a good solid ground somewhere on the body. If it doesn't work, you haven't lost much time or material.

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