Windshield Wiper Hell

[808_67C10]

As the title says, I am in windshield wiper hell. My first issue, the wipers only worked on hi... then, it only worked on hi once in a while, meaning, they wouldn't work most of the time. If I got out of the truck and gave them a tug, they would come on. Not optimal but... effective at the time.

So, I changed the turn signal/wiper switch. That didn't do it. Then, I changed the wiper motor, that didn't do it either - still the same issue.

Now, I gave it a tug this morning (i know - sounds dirty - because it IS) and the whole wiper arm stripped on the grooved doohickey its pressed onto.

I parked the truck and refused to talk to it - or I would end up abusing it with a hammer. (anger issues at this point).

I looked for the wiper control module (based on other threads I have read) at the bottom of the steering column and there isn't one... Could it be the piece that the turn signal/wiper switch slides into? how hard is that to remove or get for that matter? What is it called?

Also, do I have to replace the wiper linkage to replace the "doohickey" the wiper arm sits on? I cant find that piece separate from the $170 linkage...

By the way, where I live in Hawaii, it's been raining since January - and oh, we have lava flow and earthquakes - I am sure you saw the news. They make it worse than it really is (ACID rain - ). I don't live in lava flow area - 10 miles away and above - but the earthquake was cool!

Any advice on the wiper situation you could provide would be great... I do not need advice on where I live - yes I know I live on a volcano but, all of Hawaii is a volcano so... can't have rainbows without rain... I am still rollin & repn my c10 like I stole it!

[hatzie]

Base models don't usually have the pulse module at the base of the column.

Did you change the switch or just the stalk?
You'd remember changing the switch... it's an unpleasant job. You have to pull the upper housing off. The wiper, turn/hazard, and cruise are separate switch parts. Cruise is in the stalk. Turnsignals can be accessed by just removing the lock plate. The wiper switch is only accessible after you remove the upper housing.

You'll absolutely need a lockplate tool... this should take you to the series of five videos on tearing down the mid-80s Saginaw steering column. The videos are an early T400 CK chassis. Saginaw columns could be found in AMC/Chrysler Jeep, AMC Eagle, GM G-Body, GM CK, ST, RV trucks and many more vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHSmVZ5Rx8&list=PL...

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Base models don't usually have the pulse module at the base of the column.

Did you change the switch or just the stalk?
You'd remember changing the switch... it's an unpleasant job. You have to pull the upper housing off. The wiper, turn/hazard, and cruise are separate switch parts. Cruise is in the stalk. Turnsignals can be accessed by just removing the lock plate. The wiper switch is only accessible after you remove the upper housing.

You'll absolutely need a lockplate tool... this should take you to the series of five videos on tearing down the mid-80s Saginaw steering column. The videos are an early T400 CK chassis. Saginaw columns could be found in AMC/Chrysler Jeep, AMC Eagle, GM G-Body, GM CK, ST, RV trucks and many more vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHSm...BNS-dfsMluc4JB

Thank you.... yes, I just changed the stalk, I wasn't 100% sure where the control for the wipers were till after I did some research. My truck is a base model so, I can see why it wouldnt have the wiper control module. I also have a lock plate tool from previous work I had to do. Is there a specific name or part number for that part?

[SunSoaked]

Volcanos?

[hatzie]

Adding Pulse (delay or intermittent) wipers is easy to do... Install the pulse equipped switch and the delay module instead of the more expensive switch without the pulse control resistors. Why is the base model switch more expensive? prolly volume... You may not be able to find the AC Delco non-pulse switch at all.

I'd steer clear of the aftermarket turn and column mount wiper switches. These two switches are such a pain in the caboose to change it's not worth installing the super cheap parts and finding out they only last a few weeks or fail instantly. Even the normally top-shelf Standard Ignition brand switches seem to have a lot less than stellar reviews.

Wiper switches
1984-1987 AC Delco D6283D W/O TILT (N33), W PULSE (CD4)
1984-1987 AC Delco D6354A W TILT (N33), W PULSE (CD4)

Turnsignal switch
1984-1987 AC Delco D6262D

Stalk
1984-1987 AC Delco 22510144 W Pulse (CD4), W/O Cruise (K34)
1984-1987 AC Delco 19244690 W Pulse (CD4), W Cruise (K34)

Pulse (delay) module
1984-1987 AC Delco 15598496 Pulse Wiper Module (CD4)


Dorman makes a replacement wiper arm for around $20 that will replace the stripped unit. The base of the original GM wiper arm is made of cheap Zinc alloy. My guess is it was already stripped and re-installed with bubble-gum and sitcky-tape to sell the truck.

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Adding Pulse (delay or intermittent) wipers is easy to do... Install the pulse equipped switch and the delay module instead of the more expensive switch without the pulse control resistors. Why is the base model switch more expensive? prolly volume... You may not be able to find the AC Delco non-pulse switch at all.

I'd steer clear of the aftermarket turn and column mount wiper switches. These two switches are such a pain in the caboose to change it's not worth installing the super cheap parts and finding out they only last a few weeks or fail instantly. Even the normally top-shelf Standard Ignition brand switches seem to have a lot less than stellar reviews.

Wiper switches
1984-1987 AC Delco D6283D W/O TILT (N33), W PULSE (CD4)
1984-1987 AC Delco D6354A W TILT (N33), W PULSE (CD4)

Turnsignal switch
1984-1987 AC Delco D6262D

Stalk
1984-1987 AC Delco 22510144 W Pulse (CD4), W/O Cruise (K34)
1984-1987 AC Delco 19244690 W Pulse (CD4), W Cruise (K34)

Pulse (delay) module
1984-1987 AC Delco 15598496 Pulse Wiper Module (CD4)


Dorman makes a replacement wiper arm for around $20 that will replace the stripped unit. The base of the original GM wiper arm is made of cheap Zinc alloy. My guess is it was already stripped and re-installed with bubble-gum and sitcky-tape to sell the truck.

You Sir are a Saint! Thank you very much!!!

[808_67C10]

Do I need to replace the turn signal switch or did you throw that in for good measure?

[hatzie]

I threw it in JIC you needed it.

You have to pull the upper housing to change the turnsignal switch because the harmonica connector will not pull through with the upper housing installed...
The harmonica connector hangs up on the plastic guide in the lower column that's held in place by the upper housing. You could extract the Pak Con terminals from the harmonica plug and re-insert them once the wires are down the column but that's a pain in the caboose.

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by hatzie

I threw it in JIC you needed it.

You have to pull the upper housing to change the turnsignal switch because the harmonica connector will not pull through with the upper housing installed...
The harmonica connector hangs up on the plastic guide in the lower column that's held in place by the upper housing. You could extract the Pak Con terminals from the harmonica plug and re-insert them once the wires are down the column but that's a pain in the caboose.

Awesome, thank you so much. I GREATLY Appreciate the info, guidance, and advice! No one on my small island has the AC Delco parts so, I am gonna order them. It costs a little more but, its worth it. Thanks again!