Weak Wipers

[dave-68]

Does anyone know what would cause weak wipers? They will only wipe if the windshield is wet...and even then seems weak. The motor (new rebuilt), switch and wiring is all new. 12V to the motor and grounds have been triple checked. Towers are lubed. We are dumbfounded. So close to having her on the road its driving me crazy.

[BigBird05]

Tension of the blades to the windshield and the type of blade itself.

[dave-68]

Big Bird, thank you. Is this something you've experienced? How does it change? it seems the spring would get weaker over time not stronger but I'm at a complete loss. Do you know if there is a spec on setting and adjusting the tension? I don't see anything in the assembly manual. Thanks again.

[LockDoc]

-
You will need to take the wiper linkages off of the motor arm and try and move them manually. The transmissions may be dragging. While the linkage is off turn the wiper motor on and see how it does. You can also test the wiper motor out of the truck. I know you mentioned that the towers are lubed but they could still be dragging.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=413551

Scroll down to "2-speed wiper motors - This is the '67-'72 wiper motor"

LockDoc

[dave-68]

Loc Doc, thank you. The motor was checked and operates without linkage connected and does operate if connected but only when windshield is wet. I'll note that i do only get one speed with the two speed motor so somethings not right there. The transmission arms seem ok but I ordered new ones anyways. Unfortunately they cam in with a factory assembly defect and binding issue, so working on getting replacements.

[HO455]

How about the seal through the firewall? And how smooth is the shaft where it contacts the seal? Both of these were adding friction on my Burban's wipers.
But that my not be the issue if you have an electrical problem.
And remember our trucks only had 2 speeds slow and sloooower!
I'm so used to the speed of our wipers if I drive a new vehicle in the rain, todays scary fast wipers freak me out!

[dave-68]

Thanks HO and everyone else. I'll run though all the suggestions one more time this weekend to see if I can't figure this out. I'll let you know what I find.

[Cap'n Hook]

Doesn’t solve the weak wiper problem, but for driving in the rain, rain X is your best bet!

[dave-68]

I decided to try a motor from Newport Engineering. Should be in next week. The other motor was checked for the 4th time and still no clue. Found I do have two speeds after all. It’s just hard to notice without blades on because there not much difference.

Thanks for the tip! I usually use rain X on all my vehicles. It does make for a clean, clear, windshield.

[SIXTY9]

I just installed a NEWPORT wiper motor in mine and without the arms and blades on it's way better than the old motor I took off of it. I also got the upgraded switch with the delay with it.

[vics stuff]

I would bet that your motor is tired. Replace it with a new one .
Vic

[Minkota]

Originally Posted by SIXTY9

I just installed a NEWPORT wiper motor in mine and without the arms and blades on it's way better than the old motor I took off of it. I also got the upgraded switch with the delay with it.

Where did you purchase these from?

[SIXTY9]

Minkota,

I ordered it thru newportwipers.com

[HO455]

I looked at the Newport wiper system for my 52 but man they are pricey and I've never found anyone who has installed them in a daily driver. Especially a daily driver in the PNW. Hard for me to pry that much cash out without some assurance that they will last for decades.

[dave-68]

Sixty9 - Yeah, I didn't get the intermittent option for fear the box wouldn't fit behind the dash. How did your's fit?

Vic- motor was a new rebuilt so not sure what the problem is/was.

HO - yes, it was not cheap but I was out of options, other than trying another rebuilt, and they came highly recommended so hopefully 1) it works...and 2) it lasts. I thought I read another board member installed one years ago with good success. This is literally the last thing to get running before she's road worthy. I've got a small fortune in her anyways so thought what the hell. It's been 17 years in the making (don't ask) and I'm so close.

[SIXTY9]

It looks like I will have room for it. I am not using the standard gauges.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by dave-68

Sixty9 - Yeah, I didn't get the intermittent option for fear the box wouldn't fit behind the dash. How did your's fit?

Vic- motor was a new rebuilt so not sure what the problem is/was.

HO - yes, it was not cheap but I was out of options, other than trying another rebuilt, and they came highly recommended so hopefully 1) it works...and 2) it lasts. I thought I read another board member installed one years ago with good success. This is literally the last thing to get running before she's road worthy. I've got a small fortune in her anyways so thought what the hell. It's been 17 years in the making (don't ask) and I'm so close.

Hopefully you can remember to give us a report back in a year as I'm sure I will still be on the fence
17 years? You're just getting started!