98 SW2: Wipers won't stop!

[TIMSPEED]

So I pulled the fuse on them to get them to stop...
But other than that, they just continually run, and when they happen to stop for a MINUTE, I notice they're not returning to base position...they'll go down to base, then pop up a bit, then just start wiping again.
It's not the wiper switch on the stalk, because if I turn them to HIGH, they actually run HIGH, and if I turn them to LOW, they run LOW, but the "Delay" feature is basically set to Fastest, and if I just turn them OFF, they stay "Delay", also, the "wash" function still works as usual...
Any ideas?

[original007]

most likely the motor is bad.park switch and delay controls are internal

[bumpdraft]

My dad has a 1998 SW2, his wipers would occasionally, randomly cycle (once) on their own…, and the rear washer did not work.

The fix was to purchase and install a new Lever Combination Switch on the steering column.

[l69norm]

Originally Posted by TIMSPEED

So I pulled the fuse on them to get them to stop...
But other than that, they just continually run, and when they happen to stop for a MINUTE, I notice they're not returning to base position...they'll go down to base, then pop up a bit, then just start wiping again.
It's not the wiper switch on the stalk, because if I turn them to HIGH, they actually run HIGH, and if I turn them to LOW, they run LOW, but the "Delay" feature is basically set to Fastest, and if I just turn them OFF, they stay "Delay", also, the "wash" function still works as usual...
Any ideas?

Originally Posted by original007

most likely the motor is ....

+1, bad wiper motor. Mine did exactly the same thing. It gets worse as time goes on (eventually they won't work at all). All the smart controller guts is built into the motor.

[SBXLI93]

Probably in your multi- function switch on the steering column. It is a generic GM thing. My 1997 Sunfire low lights didnot work then the lever actually broke. My 1999 SL2 developed a brake light problem, 287 dollars later problem fixed. No power to rear lights, switch was wore out. Since the wipers are controlled thru switch on steering column, stand to reason that the multi- function switch is bad.

[livingproofofit]

hhahaahha

[TIMSPEED]

But the headlights and rear wiper all work perfectly...
I'm going to take off the cowl today and clean the connector contacts on the wiper motor, and see if it doesn't make a difference...

[sbr65nj]

I am having a similar problem with my 2000 SL2. Everything electrical works except that the windshield wipers will not turn off eight away. What I have been doing that seems to work well for now is to pull the switch down into the "mist" position and then it stops OK. Experience as a tech "Computers and Electronics" tells me that it is a dirty connection. If the entire system was bad more things would be malfunctioning. I am curious if your solution to your issue solves your problem.

Stuart

2000 SL2 145,000 Miles
1997 SL2 125,000 Miles

[sbr65nj]

I found this post on Cardone's site on this issue. It looks like a simple solution without a major cash outlay.

[bumpdraft]

Originally Posted by sbr65nj

I found this post on Cardone's site on this issue. It looks like a simple solution without a major cash outlay.

When I took my wiper motor apart to lube it, there was green on the pin connectors on the motor housing itself (meaning: not the pigtail connector)

In the long term, sponge foam gaskets keep out the dirt, but not the moisture.

[bluesl2]

Usually it is the motor going bad if the wipers do not park.

[Waiex191]

All,
Old thread, but my current problem. Wipers take a while to turn off. Intermittent works intermittently - one they start going they just go, rather than pause. Earlier in the thread people seemed confident it was the motor, stalk controls, or motor grounding. Any more recent experience or consensus of the root cause?

[toggenburg]

My experience was a bad wiper motor controller board, I purchased a replacement at Autozone and his solved it. Altho up in your neck of the woods, it is probably TracAuto parts stores (if they are still in business)??

[Waiex191]

Toggenburg,
Never heard of TracAuto. I'll have to look for the board. Looks like Rock Auto just sells the motors with the pulse board attached. Thanks for the feedback!

[toggenburg]

Trak Auto.. they used to have plenty of stores in the Chicagoland area.

Looks like their remaining stores were absorbed by Advanced Auto in 2002....it's been a while since I have revisited the outlying 'burbs' I guess.

[Saturn Night]

Originally Posted by TIMSPEED

So I pulled the fuse on them to get them to stop...
But other than that, they just continually run, and when they happen to stop for a MINUTE, I notice they're not returning to base position...they'll go down to base, then pop up a bit, then just start wiping again.
It's not the wiper switch on the stalk, because if I turn them to HIGH, they actually run HIGH, and if I turn them to LOW, they run LOW, but the "Delay" feature is basically set to Fastest, and if I just turn them OFF, they stay "Delay", also, the "wash" function still works as usual...
Any ideas?

Replace the wiper motor, or at least the logic board to it. The Valeo units, with delay, have a problem with moisture destroying the logic board for the delay controls. It is a common failure item, in the S-Series with delay.

www.car-part.com can be used to locate a used wiper motor at a local yard.

The motor is not a lot of fun to change. Be mindful of the plastic trim for the cowl, it cracks easily, and watch for the plastic rivets that hold it. Some of them look like Torx head bolts, but are plastic push rivets that don't always like to come out.