Windshield wipers are not working but washer is working

REDCRU777

MEMBER
1998 PLYMOUTH NEON
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

In summer, I observed that the wiper blades moved very slow when switched on and doesn't work at all when on intermittent or on #3 (fastest mode).

Now it's completely not working. The fuse is okay and the washer is working.

Please advise.

Thanks.

Rey

7 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

More then likely this is the wiper switch. There is a logic "resistor" inside the switch that is most likely failed.

What I would do is go to the wiper motor and check voltage at each wire on each setting. Clearly you should only have voltage on the wire for that speed. So if you don't have voltage, I would replace the switch.

Here is the wiring diagram and the process on how to replace the switch if this proves out:

https://youtu.be/Hlna_kUt7As

Let me know what questions you have and we can go from there. Thanks

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Monday, December 14th, 2020 AT 4:52 PM

REDCRU777

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81 POSTS

Hi KASEKENNY1,

Thanks for this reply. I will do as per your advice. Will keep you posted.

Regards!

Rey

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Wednesday, December 16th, 2020 AT 5:37 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Awesome. Thanks for the update. Yes, please let us know what happens. Thanks

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Thursday, December 17th, 2020 AT 5:03 PM

REDCRU777

MEMBER
81 POSTS

Hi KASEKENNY1,

I worked on the wipers this morning, and as I was removing the screw on one of the wiper arms, it suddenly moved, thanks to the fact that I left the switch on!

The wipers work on intermittent mode and regular speed mode but it struggle (very slow as if it's going to stall) when switched to the fastest speed.

Could it be the motor? I replaced the motor more than 2 years ago.

FYI.

Thanks.

Rey

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Saturday, December 19th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

That is interesting. It could be the motor so the way we confirm that is to monitor the voltage at the motor on each wire on each speed setting. Here are a couple guides that can help with that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

If the voltage is correct at the motor on each wire then it is the motor and the switch is fine. However, the fact that it seems to operate when you remove the load of the wipers then that points to a failing motor.

Let me know what questions you have. I attached the wiring below for your review.

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