Hello,

a few days back, the rear wiper stopped working. the switch has lost it's 'snap', I mean, it just flops back and forth and doesn't 'snap' or 'click' into the 'on' position. or, even the middle 'off' position. the switch will activate the rear washer pump, but not the wiper. I checked the wires at the upper part of the hatch...one has power, one no power, but it was not ground (from what I could remember)

So, anybody who has messed around with this part of the car, I would really appreciate any pointers...

thank You all so much.

 

Regardless if, by some weird coincidence, the rear harness is goofy too, you still need to replace the switch.
I would do that first THEN see if there are other issues with your wiper. would think a replacement switch could be easily had thru the For Sale 1st Gen subForum here?

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

The switches crap out but are serviceable to an extent. If you pull it out it can be pried apart and carefully bend some new life into the flattened contacts (but not too much!! and make sure you do both the same amount) and give everything a good clean and some dialectric grease.

 

ok, Thanks everybody. I will WANKfactor has said and hope it fixes the problem....it was funny, but the switch worked fine...drove the car around, and the stereo was making a sound (like a bad ground) all day...I pulled the fuse on it (radio) and it didn't fix it...pulled a few fuses and it went away...previous owner had stereo memory hooked up to another circuit...I can't remember which now. oh well, anyways. keep plugging away.....this car is a mess. LOL...

 

My rear wiper motor finally died.
I upgraded the stereo. But the polarity for the antenna was reversed: turning off the radio raised the antenna.

My rear wiper switch was still good so I now use it raise and lower the antenna.

If you have not already done so, you should download the 85 Factory Service Manual(s). The real wiring diagrams could be helpful.

 

Thats funny Tim...

 

The "snap" in the switch comes from the use of a small ball bearing in the switch's spring mechanism. This also is what keeps the operation of the rear washer pump separate from the wiper motor.

My guess is that the little ball bearing slipped out, leaving you with a "loose" switch.

I know all this as a result of taking apart the switch one day and accidentally losing the ball bearing...

It's actually a 3-position switch when intact: off, wiper on, and washer pump on. The last position is a temporary connection using the ball bearing/spring combination in the switch.

I doubt you have a wiring problem; if you replace the switch (check on eBay) I suspect it will begin working properly again.

 

Keep us posted when you get a new switch. I think it will fix your issue.

 

Thanks demoing, for the explanation of the switch's operation ...I'll try to put t back together...
I'll post up my findings.

 

if it comes to it, I have a few wiper swtiches back home I'd let go for just the cost of shipping. however, Im deployed and wont be back til mid January... sigh. if you still need it by then, drop me a pm.