Wiper Motor Failure

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, was out in the 47 today, I was trying the wipers, the motor stopped with the wipers stuck pointed upwards to the top of the glass.

I am not sure what is wrong with it, the wires from the switch need attention, but there is current on the hot wire leading from the power source. I do have a 20 amp inline fuse on this circuit, the fuse is alright, I have had this motor stick before.

Can these wiper motors be rebuilt, at an auto electric shop, I also have a spare motor in my parts car..Thanx Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

I had an electric wiper set up out of a DeSoto that I had planned on installing in my Plymouth at one time. That motor didn't work when I got it. All I had to do to get it working was pull the caps off the end of the motor. Inside there is supposed to be packed with grease. Maybe yours just needs cleaning like the one I had and new grease put in. Might want to try that before getting the motor rebuilt.

[randroid]

Fred,

A friend rebuilds motors for a living and he told me there are powerful few that can't be easily rebuilt; evidently the reason shops won't rebuild some is that they're attached to a housing with rivets (or some such thing) that would be difficult to replace satisfactorily. I certainly hope Norm's correct that all it needs is a good cleaning (don't forget the commutator - can't miss it if it's French fried, chuckle), but if you find that doesn't do the job or there's strong evidence it needs a rebuild you'll get more positive results and a lower bottom line if you can hand them a bare motor.

Just a thought.

-Randy

[james curl]

The original electric wiper motor on my 55 Chev. Pick up runs just fine but the mechanical parts that take rotary motion to back and forth motion broke. They also have two sets of points in them, one to start and stop and one to park the wiper blades in place, so it might not be the motor.

[55 Fargo]

Hi all , it was about 20 below outside tonight, and -40 with the windchill, decided to go in the garage and pull the wiper motor, it was 40 in the shop.

Got the wiper motor on the bench, took the wires off the switch, hooked up 6 volts to the wires, and the motor started to turn in both speeds, got everything cleaned up, re-connected the wires to the switch.

Connected the power source again, and the motor started to run, but began to slow down and came to a stop, and would not run again, I tried all the connections, power was available, tested the hot circuit, there was juice to the wiper motor, but now it will not run again, what is up with this motor.

Another thing I noticed, it doesn't appear to stop in the right spot either, but it never did, you had to turn the switch until the wipers returned to the stopped position on the car,

Any ideas what may be the problem from some of you more electrically inclined......................Thanx Fred

[oldmopar]

Just a guess but is it possible something worn inside motor and when it is in car it hangs in a way it shorts out. Other thought is since you have a spare motor put it in and see what happens

Ed

[55 Fargo]

Hi, yes I do have the spare in the parts car, condition unknown. I am not sure if I want to put another 60 year old motor in my car, might have the same problem, but will check 1st.

I should be able to get this motor repaired, may have more zip afterwards, not sure what these wiper motors were like new, or if they were always relatively slower.

The wiper motor is an Autolite model# 12B 2 speed.

I would gopull the spare, but it's -20 here with a wind, and it's supposed to be -34 tonight with a windchill of -47, how do you guys in the milder climates like that one.

I would go pull this wiper motor even though it's cold, but I am looking after my 2 year old daughter, so I can't, but would be crazy enough to if I wasn't looking aftrer her............................................Fred of the North

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, at 5:10 Pm about 30 minutes before dark, I suited up, went out behind my place over on the north side of my property, armed with screwdriver, socket set, wrench, needle nose pliers.

Mission to remove wiper motor in a short time, it was -20 outside with a -40 windchill, got the wiper motor out in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Brought it inside of the garage to the bench, connected a 6 volt battery charger to it, the wiper motor did not work, tried a few different ways to connect the power source, all with the same result, all that efort on a brutallly cold day, too bad it doesn't work........................Fred

[oldmopar]

You have to get a A for effort or maybe a C for Crazy for going out in that weather. I think I would have someone who knows motors look at it or try to buy a working one from someone .

Ed

[55 Fargo]

Please send them some time..........Fred

[55 Fargo]

Thanx Shel, it's hard to believe it gets so hot here in summer you can get wicked sunburn and/or heatstroke. Yet it is so darn cold this past week you would think we were in the North Pole or Alaska.

I fiddled with the wiper motor today a bit, I hooked up the power to it, it would immediately trip the little circuit breaker, so something is shorting in this motor. I opened the case, the brushes were worn down pretty bad, one was so worn, the wire it attaches to was exposed out.

Now I am not an electrician, but I am sure this motor can be repaired, at least I hope it can, I do have the spare, it does not work either, maybe with the 2, I can get one rebuilt and be done with it.

Or if I can buy one that is in good shape, all the better............Fred

[Tim Frank]

Fred,

I could not follow your description. Are you saying that the motor worked fine on the bench but craps out when reinstalled in the car?

If so, it may be a mechanical issue rather than electric.

I have had a wiper problem with three vehicles, and each one was a linkage problem, the motor was fine. The last was rust/corrosion between the wiper arm shaft and bushing; worked oil into it and it freed right up.

Just a thought. Rgds, another Canuck...Eastern variety...

[55 Fargo]

No it was not operating on the bench, after I removed it from the car, it did work on the bench, I was just finishing the re-wiring to the control switch, when it crapped out right on the bench, not to be revived again.

I opened the case, one brush was worn right down to the connection wire, the other was worn a lot too, the commutator had some dirt and debris on it, but not bad. The armature looks good, not burned up looking or anyhing, I put new grease on the gears, the outside of this motor is very clean, and repainted last year.

I have taken the motor in to an old time auto electric shop today, hopefully they will replace the brushes and that will solve the issue.........Fred

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, just bench tested my spare wiper motor, it seems to work well, but it is very dirty, the brushes look like they still have a bit of material left on them.

What is the best way to clean the outside of the wiper motor, especially the contacts, I will clean out the old dry grease aorund the gears, that is a no-brainer.

Should I open the case and clean the armamture and blow air in there or something.

The other is in the shop, not sure if it si fixed or not, but it can be a spare or this one can be a spare.....Thanx Fred

[oldmopar]

Hi all, just bench tested my spare wiper motor, it seems to work well, but it is very dirty, the brushes look like they still have a bit of material left on them.

What is the best way to clean the outside of the wiper motor, especially the contacts, I will clean out the old dry grease aorund the gears, that is a no-brainer.

Should I open the case and clean the armamture and blow air in there or something.

The other is in the shop, not sure if it si fixed or not, but it can be a spare or this one can be a spare.....Thanx Fred

Not sure what is best but I use a electronic parts cleaner made by crc I think the can says electric motors and components but check the shelves at the parts store and read the can to be sure

[james curl]

Be careful, there should be two sets of points in there somewhere, one to run the wipers and one to park the wipers. If you mess up the set that parks the wipers then they will just stop where ever they are on the windshild when the power is turned off.

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, cleaned up the wiper motor from the 47 Chrysler parts car, regreased gears, reinstalled, it works good in both speeds, parks itself, and so far no issues.

I even added a ground wire to supplement the ground on the wiper motor bracket.

Now I have to phone the auto electric shop in the morning to see if they fixed my other wiper motor, maybe if it's not done I will cancel it, but if it isn't too much money I can always use a good spare.

One thing I need is a switch knob, doesn anyone have an extra I could buy........................Fred