1993 Dodge Dakota Windshield wiper

CHASF

MEMBER
1993 DODGE DAKOTA
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
95,000 MILES

I don't know if this problem belongs under Electrical, but here goes.

My wipers sometimes work just fine, they move the correct amount and then park at the down position. However sometimes, especially if they are at high speed and there is a lot of water to make the windshield very wet, they "overshoot" on both ends of the travel. They go too far down and bang into the cowling, then they overshoot the up position, the tip of the left blade scratching the paint on the post!

I can't find any "slop" in the mechanical linkages. Since the motor turns fine, would replacing it do any good?

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi chasf,

Thank you for the donation.

The wiper motor lever(arm) moves in a fixed circle and would not affect the amount of wiper arm travel so replacing it would not solve the problem, unless the arm bushes are worn and there is excessive side play of the controlling arm.

Other possible causes are either the wiper blades are of incorrect length ( longer than standard specifications) or the linkages/pivot has some free travel and the momentum of the high speed arm movement flings the blades further either way.

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Friday, September 3rd, 2010 AT 2:13 PM

CHASF

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3 POSTS

Well, you just repeated why this is such a puzzler! The wipers worked fine for years, with this same length blades, and I can't find anything that is loose that could cause momentum to carry the blades too far. Is it possible that the "slop" is within the motor itself? I certainly don't want to spend the money trying a new motor, but this is driving me crazy, and it rains every day here this time of year.

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Friday, September 3rd, 2010 AT 7:41 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

As I mentioned, it is possible for the motor to be the cause and some testings might show it.

Lift both wiper arms and manually twist the arms to see if there are any slack in any direction.

If none found, turn ignition on, turn on wiper and as soon as wiper arm has moves off its resting position, turn ignition off.

Repeat above test of testing for slacks in a few resting position of the wiper arm to see if any position has a difference.

Is only one arm overshooting or both arms are doing it?

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 11:31 AM

CHASF

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3 POSTS

With Test 1, the ignition off and the wipers raised, there is indeed several inches of play! When I move one arm, both move. I reckon this means that there is wear in the linkage, or linkage bushings. Now my problem is that it will be almost impossible to find repair parts here in Panama!

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 4:37 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Yes, indeed there must be wear/damage somewhere between the wiper motor lever and the linkages. You would need to remove the motor to check.

If part are not available, you might need to see if you ar are able to improvise with some replacement parts for other makes.