Windshield wiper control system troubleshooting?

IND35TRUCTIBLE1

MEMBER
2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
182,000 MILES

Wipers don't work, power at motor plug so replaced motor w/pulse module still won't work. Could it be the switch and how to check it?

Thursday, October 20th, 2022 AT 8:39 PM

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

If you have power to the motor, either the motor is bad or there is no ground supply to complete the circuit.

There should be a black wire in the harness at the motor. Disconnect the connector and check the black wire for continuity to ground.

I attached the wiper wiring schematic circuit below, so you have a reference. If there is power, the motor is good (new) it should run if there is a ground provided.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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Thursday, October 20th, 2022 AT 9:12 PM

IND35TRUCTIBLE1

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7 POSTS

Thanks, I'm going to check the ground circuit out and see what I can find. Thought maybe switch but there's power to the motor wires. It's driving me nuts.

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Thursday, October 20th, 2022 AT 10:09 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

No problem whatsoever. If you have power, this is the only thing that makes sense. If you can, let me know what you find. Also, you may want to run a new ground from the motor to the battery negative to see if that makes a difference.

Let me know.

Joe

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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 8:25 PM

IND35TRUCTIBLE1

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7 POSTS

Thanks again, I was thinking the same thing. I plan on jumping on it in the morning while I'm off work so I'll let you know what happens.

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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 11:20 PM

IND35TRUCTIBLE1

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7 POSTS

Well, it was the ground circuit. I traced down the ground distribution and cleaned up and redid every ground. The ground for the wipers was corroded and actually had a broken wire at the ground point under ABS unit. I also ran a new ground lead from the wiper motor body to a clean spot on the body. Turned them on and the linkage bind up and popped apart. The motor runs but the wipers don't move. I think I have the cam on top of wiper motor shaft out of position, but I'll try to address that tomorrow. Thanks a million. I'm glad I finally figured it out.