Intermittent Intermittent Windshield Wipers
 

No it's not a typo, it's an electrical issue!

The wipers work fine if on LO, HI, or the one-push down one wipe function (mist?).

Usually in Oregon it just drizzles all day so I use the intermittent setting. Most of the time they work fine, but randomly the wipers will stop at a 45 degree angle. When that happens, they either continue to work when the next time-interval is up, or just stop there until I turn the dial to LO to get them going again (also random which one happens).

I've searched the forum and see a lot of stuff about relays but the symptoms don't seem to match up.

Also maybe be related, maybe not, the motors are really loud. No, like REALLY loud. I was shocked when I first heard them, doesn't seem to affect their ability to wipe though.

It may be the wiper switch relays getting ready to fail.
Some of the bad ones I see will begin working again with a quick bump.


But the noise from the motor bothers me and it may also be the switch inside the wiper gearbox.

The intermittent wipers rely on the auto-park feature. Part of this feature is a switch in the gearbox that closes when the wipers are above the bottom of the glass. It closes and completes a circuit with the auto-park relay inside the wiper switch. This circuit is what makes the wipers complete their cycle to end up at the bottom of the glass.


Next time the wipers stop in mid cycle. Use the back end of a screwdriver to thump the wiper motor and the wiper switch... You know how the doctor tests the reflexes in your knee with the little rubber hammer. Do that.

I have this same issue. I tried searching and it wasnt anything like this. I found that if I get out and move the wiper blade a little bit it will keep going. It's almost like the motor doesnt have enough torque to spin the mechanisms. For this reason, I bought an extra wiper motor but have yet to install it.

I'll be watching this thread to see what others say - and I'll update once I get my wiper motor on.

Remove your motor and see if it runs on its own. Most of the time the mechanism under the cowl rusts up.

Should I consider new motors or is it more likely a different electrical issue somewhere else? I haven't had a chance to tap the motors yet because they haven't been acting up recently (always the case, huh?).

I just changed the switch on mine as it had NO intermittent.
After 4 years of ownership,it gave up and I had to switch the damn thing down by bumping it!
But,after the change I finally got the wipers to go Intermittent.The speed is slow(for my liking) so I am gonna change the motor too!

My wipers are super slow and my good friend has told me it's due to the switch. I think someone used to R/R them (I have a repaired unit but haven't put it in). Anyone know if this is still the case?

It's not due to the switch. Slow wipers are due to a motor going bad or mechanical binding in the wiper rack.

Thanks! I'll check it out tomorrow.