[tinman386]

I have an 88 caprice with the delay type column switch for my wipers.The motor was replaced about 2 years ago and has been working fine until now. When im going down the road the wipers will turn on all on their own. The wipers move out of park only a few inches and then go back to park. Some times this occurs once or twice sometimes alot more and some times not at all. Is it posibble that this is a low voltage issue? I have a relay that until just a few weeks ago before this started happening would click when i would start the car and now it has that hum almost a squeal to it. From what i know about relays that is usually caused by low voltage or a bad ground. Am i on the right track here? I was thinking of replacing the ground cable to the battery and replacing the battery. Good place to start? I should mention that ive already replaced the positive battery cable.

[poncho62]

Your wiper motor also has a ground strap that you may want to check..........I've seen wiper motors do weird stuff with a bad ground.

[docvette]

Doc here,

are you having charging / Battery Issues right now?




Doc

[tinman386]

Hey poncho thanks for the tip. Do you mean under the case to the electrics is a ground strap?

No Doc i seem to be doing ok how ever i did have alot of corrosion on my pos battery terminal so i replaced it.But i did not replace the negative yet. The problem is only present after i have used the wipers and appears to stop after ive been driving awhile. Like the other night i started the car and used the wipers and for atleast 10 minutes it kept doing the jitterbug thing. It seamed like once i had been driving awhile it went away as if the alternator had to charge the battery from after starting. The car cranks right over and fires right up. The only other thing is the squeal under the dash from a relay that didnt used to do that it used to just click a few times but now its began to squeal. So thats why i was thinking voltage and the ground thing because i havent replaced the ground to the battery yet.

[docvette]

Doc here,


Sounds like your Alternator Diodes are starting to fail..

The First clue , Is the relays Will Chatter like a "Mini Shaver" or a door chime when they see AC on the coil inputs..

Swap the "noisy" ones out with known good ones, If they continue to malfunction, have the alternator checked...

IF it checks good, an intermittent short across the relay contacts can cause "Chatter" also..(Contact opening and closing at a high rate of speed).

If that is the case, the Stalk Switch or it's Harness are major culprits on a Vette..




Doc

[tinman386]

Thanks alot Doc i was thinking of replacing the alternator anyways it has 160 or so thousand miles on it and winter will be here in a few months. I do think i need a new stalk switch too as when i am using the wipers they will shut off on me (mostly in delay mode) and i have to jiggle the stalk switch to get them to go again. I think maybe its time to quit procrastinating. Im just not sure how to remove the stalk switch so i have been avoiding it. I think if i remember right i seen them in stock at napa and passed on it for that very same reason. So if you or anyone else has a dummies 101 tutorial on how to remove and replace that awful beast that plagues me i would be ever so greatful.

[docvette]

Doc here,

If your referring to the ones on the red "HELP" tree..might want to brace for sticker infarcation..Those bad boys can run from $19 Fazools up to $150 ....

Should be easy enough to replace, remove the wheel, unplug the column harness from the bottom of the column, tie a Fish wire to it..and pull it out the top..Then tie your fish to the new harness, and back pull it to the bottom, Inspect for rubbing and cutting, then reinstall hold down hardware.

You can get a manual for the EXACT procedure when you pick up the switch..about $22 Fazools..


Doc