Fix Those Wipers (Wiper Board Repair)

[gravel1241]

something else you might try that is a little simplier is to run a ground wire from the motor to a chassis ground

[89SWB]

Did this mod a month ago on my 89 Silverado and have had no wiper problems since. My board looked exactly the same as Cavalry, so not sure how others have different setups. Could it be from intermittent versus regular wiper options?

Regardles, the board does come out of the holding, just have to slide it off VERY carefully. I found the most resistance on the four prongs that connected the board to the motor. Carefully prying that end off released the board. On the workbench, soldered up the main five joints on the top left of the board (can be seen in Cavalry's picture) where the connector brings in the power. Those joints were slightly cracked, a little bit of heat and new solder put them all back together.

Carefully install the board over the motor prongs and screw in. You are done and ready to be safely on the road!

[jomac11]

I looked up the recalls for my truck on MSN.com and it doesnt list the wiper motor recall (my truck is a 98), but it does list the recall for my dad's 94...

[cancritter]

#^&*$%$*...wipers....heres what l found after a little investigateion..both my 88 and 91 gmc had same prob..wrote first of to bad motor..second time got curious....theres a bloody screw hole for the wiper cover just above wiper motor..when it rains it comes in through the screw just above wiper motor...cahnces are if you take cover of you wil see where water ran by the residue left..wiper motor isnt sealed..water gets in and screws it up ...just seal screw hole and put some silicone onn top where motor and cover meet...this soved my probs once and for all...last time it left me stranded in the middle of mountains 24th of dec and wonderin if l was got get to my destination because of the rain&snow,,,,napa saved me..they were open :O)
...and hi all

[Ingersoll444]

Working on a 92 that has a problem where it can take up to 20 min for the wipers to work after you turn them on. Is this a common problem also? Same cause you think?

[cancritter]

l though my wiper prob was just me but after seein this thread know lm not alone...chances are if all gms and chevs have the simaler screw hole just above the wiper motor all will have similar probs..water runs through the screw hole and down screw and drips onto wiper motor..seeing as its not a seal unit water will get in and run down the board as it did with both of mine..both showed residue trails where water had ran down circut board..replace motor...seal top and sides and put some silicone on that bloody screw so it wont leak through it...niether of my wiper motors ran right once they got wet...best and easyest to just replace..dont want to be sitting on side of road in rainstorm if wipers dont work...could end up like me 500 miles from anywhere without wipers

[njrdneckchevy]

I have owned 88, 93, 94, K series and suburbans and currently a 98' k-1500 Z-71 and a 2002 Z-71 Suburban. In addition to the screw hole water leaks and the possible bad solder joints on the boards consider these solutions.1) remover the cover from the board and coat in die-electric grease and re-install, second run a ground wire from the front "motor bucket" mounting screw to the body mounting bolt on the firewall. Our trucks not matter how much we love em' have hobbile grounding properties for most of the body mounted equipment. Good grounds are always better than factory.

[slimnastic]

Can anyone help us guys with full size vans? Mine is a 95 G-20 3/4 ton. I'm experiencing all the same symptoms that I've been reading here......Intermittents don't work, only have one speed(and it's not always there!)Really, I just need some advice on how to get to the motor/module and remove it.Things look really crowded in there under the dash and being 6'7'' does not help matters. Thanks.

[xanthan888]

Yep this tech article helped greatly! My wipers wouldnt work when its raining but would work when its not. Just take the 3 screws out and pull the board and check for anything strange and your good to go. Works Like a charm now ;p

[Mr. H]

I experienced the wiper motor not working today. Made a 20-30 mile trip with them working fine. Got out, messed around for half hour and no wipers. The motor made noise, but no movement. After a mile or so they worked. This is the first time I've used them for a long period of time. So did anyone else have the motor noise and no movement? This is on a 97 tahoe. Just wondering if these are the symptoms of a bad solder.

[ss4ever]

I have replaced several of these at the shop I work at. I guess I should start fixing the ones I remove then start shipping them to you guys here on the board.

Randy

[SPED]

Anyone find a replacement part for the old style? I tried the help one, but it looks nothing like mine... I have pics if I can figure out how to attach them...

[gravelback]

I had the same "on again/off again" problem with my wipers.
I found someone selling repaired circuit boards on ebay a while back but I was stubborn and just kept on dealing with the problem.

I had a pretty effective ("temporary")system hooked up that usually worked. This "usually" was only a problem when I wanted to see while driving 60-70mph on the highway and my wipers quit!
(I guess duct tape and a wood shim or two only goes so far... )

I'll post some pics as soon as I can...

I took the baby apart (3 screws), slid out the board (watch out for the grease), and re-did the solder connections where they were obviously broken (i think there were 6 spots!)

Now, I'll be a monkey's uncle...but when I switch the wipers "ON"...they go ON!
Thanks for this eye-opener of a post/thread. -an easy fix & I can see when driving now!

[Red95Silverado]

I have the same problem. 1/2 the time they work fine, and the other 1/2 nothing. Especially when i need them...When they dont work, i can hear the motor make the noise it makes when they come on, it seems like there stuck or something. But then ill try it the next day and it will work like new...I havnt took apart the wiper board to look for sottering spots yet...just wondering if i was the only one that when your wipers dont work, if they still make a noise ?

[Quyonmob]

FYI, most Canadian autoparts stores are selling the boards (89-95) for nearly $100 now, as they are not a common item. 88's and some 89's had the old style "pulse" motor, has a round cover instead.

GM had cheap solder, and the joints cracked. Easiest way to dianose this problem; next time they quit working, pop the hood and give the board cover a good smack with your hand, they start right up again and quit again when ever they want.

I had 8 cracked solder joints on the board, first time I removed it, I only soldered the main one (Cavalry has highlighted) and had to do it again. Look real close at every joint.

REMOVE THE OLD SOLDER!!! Don't just gob on top, or it will crack underneath the new solder!

Easy fix, takes no more than 10 min to solder the joints. Save your money for a box of beer.

[gravelback]

...just wondering if i was the only one that when your wipers dont work, if they still make a noise ?

Yes. Mine was the same way...noise and no wipers wiping.

Here are pics of my fix..

These are the areas that were cracked and I re-soldered.


This was my first "solution" (a wood shim and some duct tape...)(which would force the cracked solder points to re-connect temporarily)


I highly recommend doing this fix! The safety factor is worth the price of the soldering iron (if you don't yet have one) and 10 to 15 minutes of your time.

How many times did I drive in the pouring rain while driving 60+mph and the damn things quit?! I actually used to rely on Rain-X for improved visibilty! It was a great demo for Rain-X...NOT very safe.

[Toolman]

I was not able to find the problem on the board so I just bought a new board from Checkers for $30. Had a little rain today seams to be working.

[slammins15]

Originally Posted by Quyonmob

FYI, most Canadian autoparts stores are selling the boards (89-95) for nearly $100 now,

I just bought one from auto electric for $27.38

[Quyonmob]

Originally Posted by slammins15

I just bought one from auto electric for $27.38

Let me guess, you live west of Manitoba? Parts costs take a nosedive in the west, and availability skyrockets.

[lowc10]

mine only works when it's on high and right when you go down a speed they stop where ever they are at. is that the board or the motor? it's a 88