Electrical: Intermitent Wipers

[PDQ]

Have a 1960 Hawk. with wind shield wipers that work well on numerous tests in the garage (running wipers for 10-15 minutes with no failure. Take vehicle out on the road and wipers are very slow, moving only 1/2 of cycle and then stopping. I then turn them off and back on again and they will move back to start position and start next cycle and stop again, some times in the middle of the cycle and not always back to the off/rest position. Looking for advise on testing and maintenance that will solve my problem.

[StudeRich]

It sounds like the Wiper Motor is overloading the Circuit Breaker and tripping it.

Too much drag from poor or Dry Wiper Blades? A shorted Wire to the Switch?

What about the Amperage output in the Garage vs on the Road?

Was it a low idle, fast idle, cruise speed, Engine Off? All these plus Generator Output can affect the Wiper Speed.

[TrickyRick]

Wiring and switch condition can also affect wiper operation. Check and see what is getting hot?

[jrlemke]

Here's a dumb question, you don't have vacuum wipers do you? That is how they sometimes work. I don't know offhand if Hawks had vacuum wipers. -Jim

[r1lark]

If it were mine - first step would be to unhook the actuating links from the motor (underneath the dash). Then run the motor to see if it runs any faster. Also move each actuating link/wiper to see if there is any binding. This should point you in the correct direction - wiper pivots, or motor.

My guess is on the motor and gearbox. Disassembly is easy, there are instructions and drawings in the shop manual. (I use a camera to take pics during disassembly so I can get it back together the same way, especially if it sits waiting on parts for a while.) Be really careful during disassembly and cleaning since there are thin washers in several places that can be missed/lost if you are not looking for them. The commutator can be cleaned using a fine emory cloth or crocus cloth. If the commutator is worn it will need to be turned down on a lathe. Be sure to clean the slots out. Not sure if new brushes are available but usable replacements may be available from an automotive electric repair shop (these are getting fewer and fewer in today's 'throw it away and install a new one' mentality ) Be sure to clean out the old grease from the gearbox and replace with fresh grease per the shop manual. I've been using white lead grease but others use synthetic chassis grease. Some of the earlier wiper motors had felt oil pads to provide lubrication for the motor bearings, and these need to have some thin oil added to them; later wiper motors seem to have 'oilite' bushings but I still add a couple of drops of oil to each of those bearings. The journal areas on the motor shaft can be polished with crocus cloth. Adjust the endplay per the shop manual. Inspect the parking contacts closely, the ends of these can wear away enough that they don't contact correctly; some folks solder new bits of copper onto the ends to repair them, but NOS replacements should be available also.

Let us know what you find!

[Skybolt]

I have had this before and it turned out to be the copper contacts inside the wiper gear housing. As the years go by, if the wipers are used a lot, the contacts wear. Then they wear shorter. The shortened copper contacts heat up too quickly and move away from the plate they are supposed to be contacting with.

I pulled all the mechanical linkages out and couldn't find the problem. All thing were fine. So I had to narrow it down. Last on the list was to take the wiper motor apart.

Hope you don't have to as far as I did in pulling the wiper gear and the motor apart but I had to do what I had to do.

Len

[jclary]

I have had this before and it turned out to be the copper contacts inside the wiper gear housing. As the years go by, if the wipers are used a lot, the contacts wear. Then they wear shorter. The shortened copper contacts heat up too quickly and move away from the plate they are supposed to be contacting with.

I pulled all the mechanical linkages out and couldn't find the problem. All thing were fine. So I had to narrow it down. Last on the list was to take the wiper motor apart.

Hope you don't have to as far as I did in pulling the wiper gear and the motor apart but I had to do what I had to do.

Len

Hey Len...I think you may have identified a problem that has mystified many of us. I have heard of circuit breakers becoming weak and tripping too soon. But, the condition you describe above amounts to the motor developing its own internal circuit breaker.

To the original poster...Already, it is evident that you are not alone. Additionally, considering the average age of us Studebaker nuts, the thought of contorting our bodies to an upside down position, getting arthritic fingers to manipulate those wiper arm connector "thingies," require that rare perfect alignment of planets. This includes a burst of energy, a perfect spring or fall temperature day, and the ability to sneak away from your wife's prodding to only work on HER important chores!

While awaiting for that "perfect" moment...a jug of RAIN-X is a backup solution!

[Mrs K Corbin]

gave up on my wipers years ago......

[TWChamp]

gave up on my wipers years ago......

I wouldn't give up on wipers, but I do try to never drive my old cars in the rain, and Rain-X works great if I do get caught in the rain.

[52-fan]

Some months back I wanted to put two speed, 12 volt wipers on my 52. We had several wipers motors that had been removed from various Studebakers condition unknown. The second motor I tried ran, but seemed slow. It was with some trepidation that I disassembled, cleaned, and lubricated it. I polished the contact surfaces and checked the brushes which, thankfully, were okay. I even figured out how the parking mechanism worked.
After putting the refurbished motor back together it would not work. I took the motor apart and found a wire that had somehow broken loose. After soldering the wire back in its place and reassembling the motor, it works great. I even took some rubbing compound and polished the old motor so it looks good. If I can figure this stuff out anybody can.