1997 Pontiac Sunfire Logo
Anonymous Posted on Jun 26, 2008

Wipers Pause on middle of windshield

1997 Pontiac Sunfire:
When I use the wiper delay, the wipers pause straight up in the middle of the windshield instead of where they usually park. Is there a solution to this?

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Bill J

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  • Posted on May 24, 2011
Bill J
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If your wipers work just fine on "intermittent" (they sweep across the windshield and return to the bottom of the windshield then wait about 5 seconds until the next sweep and repeat) but when you turn them to the "Off position then they stop in the up position rather then park then the parking pawl probably has a broken spring and is not working correctly. The pawl is a 1.25" long piece of metal external to the motor and is part of the Stack-O-Plates on the output shaft of the motor and to which the wiper push rods are attached. When you turn the wipers to "Off" the motor will reverse direction and the pawl will catch on a stationary tab that is part of the motor/wiper frame. This will hold the wipers in the down position while the motor continues to run and allow the parking Stack-O-Plates-Spring-Wrapped gizmo to do its magic which drags the wiper arms down into the extra low "parked" position. If the tiny spring that holds the pawl in the out position breaks then the pawl will not engage the stationary tab. The wipers will then continue swinging upward through half a swing at which point a cam/switch that is internal to the pulse board (the cover on the motor output gear (three T20 Torx screws to remove) will tell the motor to stop because it thinks the parking Stack-O-Plates gizmo has finished doing its job but instead the wiper arms will be stuck in the "Hello, I'm a dork" raised flag position.

WARNING: Use caution while working around the wiper mechanism. If the key is on and the wiper lever is set to "Intermediate" then the motor can start unexpectedly. If your fingers are down there in the wrong place, the mechanism has more than enough power to break bones and/or peal the skin right off of them. Don't be afraid, just be deliberate and methodical and always be aware if the motor/electronics are energized.

It is very easy to remove the motor/wiper assembly so do not hesitate to do so:
Remove the plastic covers off the wiper arm retaining nuts.
Remove the wiper arm nuts with a 13mm socket.
Twist and pull with your finger tips and finger nails at the base of the small rubber squirt tubing off the hard plastic squirt delivery tubes.
You may have to yard up and down on the wiper arms pretty hard to get them loose from their tapered shafts. Don't be a mindless gorilla but be brave and keep at it. They will come loose.
Remove the cowl cover by pulling or prying out the center of the six retaining push pins. Then lift the cowl cover up then out at a 45 degree angle. You will find the cover is a very tight fit between the right hand wiper shaft and the weatherstrip at the base of the windshield. Be brave and keep pulling and prying until it comes loose.
Reinstalling the cowl cover and getting the rubber weather strip over the cover is the hardest part of the whole job. Use putty knifes (slowly and carefully!) or a very small slender screwdriver. It took me half an hour just to do this part of the job that. ugh.
Remove the 3 bolts holding the wiper assembly.
Disconnect the electrical connector by squeezing the retaining tab that you cant see on the backside of the connector. You have to squeeze real hard.
Lift the wiper assembly out.

Remove the Stack-O-Plates assembly from the motor output shaft (T30 Torx) to access the pawl to put on a spring. I wrapped one and a half loops of spring around one protrusion on the end of the pawl and around one tab of the stationary clip that limits the swing of the pawl to hold it in the "swung out" position. The loop of spring applies very light pressure but that is all it needs. This will all make sense when you are looking at the pawl mechanism. I cut off one and a half loops from a spring like what you would find in a retractable ball point pen but bigger. Use what spring you can find even if it from a ball point pen. When the motor runs in the forward direction the pawl harmlessly swings out of the way as it passes by the stationary tab. Bend the stationary tab in or out as necessary so the pawl engages straight on to it. I will try and post pictures of all this.

Before remounting the whole Stack-O-Plates gizmo assembly you will need to set the motor into the correctly timed position. Plug the motor in, then turn the wipers to "Intermediate". When the motor stops then turn off the ignition switch or quickly disconnect the motor. The motor is now in the correct position. Remount the Stack-O-Plates so there is about 1/4" to 1" space between the pawl and the stationary tab. Tighten down the T30 Torx bolt (blue lock tight recommended) then test the unit to see if the pawl engages to the stationary tab and lets the parking Stack-O-Plates do all its parking gyrations before you remount the whole wiper assembly. When you are all done try not to wear out the wipers by constantly turning them on and off for the next few hours of driving just so you can marvel at your handy work. :O)

Buy the way, if you turn the wipers off and they just wiggle a little bit while the motor goes click-click-click-click trying to do its parking thing then you need to alter (slightly) the relationship between the cam/switch arm inside the pulse module (again, the cover on the motor output gear, three T20 Torx screws to remove). There are two switch/contact arms in the center of the pulse board. The one closest to the board that engages the plastic cam mounted to the board is the one you want to change slightly. The other free floating arm is driven by the cam on the big motor output gear and is the contact to let the electronics know the output gear has rotated half a turn and the wipers are now parked. I bent the one arm closest to the pulse board away from its cam just slightly so that only about 3/4 of the "hook" on the end of the arm (you will know what I mean when you look at it) is hitting the ramp on the cam (the cam spins clockwise). Verify that the electrical contact actually opens a bit when the arm is riding on the high part of the cam. You may have to adjust and verify a number of times to find that sweet spot where it runs reliably. It took me half an hour of fiddling. O_0

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  • Pontiac Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2008
Marvin
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Yes the solution is to replace the wiper motor, the auto park circuit is defective.

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  • Posted on Sep 04, 2010
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Ok I did this and it did not work. I spent 40.00 on a new circuit board and it still operates the same. Now suspecting its the wiper switch.

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1helpful
1answer

2009 Pontiac G6 Pulse setting on wipers. When on pulse the wiper goes halfway. After the next interval they go the remainder then return properly.

You didn't take into account the wiper switch is a input to the BCM - body control module ,or do you know that ? The BCM controls wiper one an wiper two relay's to turn on the wipers .
Wondering if it is the PCB or perhaps a physical problem? Guessing never finds the problem . Reading how they work in factory service repair info should be the first step for someone that doesn't know .
Intermittent Operation
Windshield wiper DELAY operation is a low speed wiper motor function with a variable delay interval between the wiper motor cycles. The DELAY interval is determined by a series of 5 resistors within the wiper/washer switch. During DELAY wiper operation, the signal circuit voltage is further reduced through the DELAY resistors. The body control module (BCM) monitors the voltage on the signal circuit to determine the delay interval between the low speed wiper motor cycles.
If the wiper switch is moved from a longer delay interval to a shorter delay interval, the BCM will command an immediate wipe cycle and reset the delay timer to the shorter delay interval.
Additionally, intermittent wiper operation is vehicle speed sensitive. As vehicle speed is increased or decreased, the wiper interval will also increase or decrease.

Low Speed Operation
When the wiper switch is in the Low position, voltage is supplied through an internal resistor to the signal circuit. The body control module (BCM) monitors the windshield wiper switch signal 1 circuit and energizes the wiper 1 relay which will operate the windshield wiper motor. The wiper motor will operate at low speed, since the wiper 2 relay is de-energized. Low speed can also be commanded with a scan tool by commanding Wiper Relay Cmd. ON and OFF.
High Speed Operation
In the High position, the windshield wiper/washer switch supplies voltage to both the wiper 1 and wiper 2 relay coils. This energizes both relays and allows battery voltage from the wiper 1 relay switched output to the switched input of the wiper 2 relay through its contacts and out the switched output of the wiper 2 relay to the high speed circuit of the windshield wiper motor. The windshield wiper motor will operate at high speed. During HIGH speed wiper motor operation, the wiper switch signal circuit is at the LOW speed signal voltage, and the body control module (BCM) supplies redundant voltage to the wiper relay via the wiper diode.

Wiper/Washer System Components
The Wiper/Washer System consists of the following components:
• Windshield wiper/washer switch
• Body control module (BCM)
• Wiper 1 relay
• Wiper 2 relay
• Wiper diode
• Windshield wiper motor
• Windshield washer pump
• Windshield washer nozzles
• Windshield washer solvent container
• Windshield wiper arm and blade assemblies
• Windshield wiper transmission
• WIPER/SW 10A fuse
• WIPER 25A fuse
Refer to Master Electrical Component List.

DTC B3715 02: Front Wiper Relay Drive Circuit Short to Ground
DTC B3715 05: Front Wiper Relay Drive Circuit Short to Battery or Open

Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop.
0helpful
1answer

Wipers stop in the middle of my wishield,will not park properly

Sorry , no adjustment .
Wiper/Washer System Components
The Wiper / Washer System consists of the following components:
• Windshield wiper / washer switch
• Windshield wiper system module / motor
• Windshield washer fluid pump
• Windshield washer fluid level switch
• WPR 25A fuse
Wiper / Washer System Operation
The windshield wiper motor module is part of the windshield wiper motor cover and controls the wiper motor operation. The windshield wiper motor is a 2 speed motor. Windshield wiper DELAY operation is a low speed wiper motor function with a variable delay interval between the wipe cycles. The DELAY interval is controlled through a series of resistors within the wiper / washer switch.
Park Position Operation
When the windshield wiper / washer switch is turned to the OFF position while the wiper motor is somewhere in mid-cycle, the wiper motor module will continue to operate the wiper motor until the wipers reach the park position. If the ignition is turned off while the wipers are in mid-cycle, the wipers will stop immediately where they are. The wipers will park the next time the ignition is cycled to the ON position.

Do you know how to do diagnostic's ?

Wipers Blades Do Not Park
Step
Action
Yes
No
Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer Schematics
Connector End View Reference: Wiper/Washer Connector End Views
DEFINITION: This table diagnoses the wipers operate normally but will not return to the park position when the wiper operation is cancelled.
1
Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?
YES - Go to Step 2
NO - Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information
2
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
Move the wiper switch to the LO position.
Move the wiper switch to the OFF position.
Do the front wipers advance to the park position?
YES - Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
NO - Go to Step 3
3
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.
Turn the wiper switch to OFF.
Disconnect the wiper/washer switch connector.
Do the wipers park?
YES - Go to Step 7
NO - Go to Step 4
4
At the wiper/washer switch connector, measure the voltage of the windshield wiper switch signal 2 circuit.
Does the voltage measure greater than 1.0 volts?
YES - Go to Step 5
NO - Go to Step 8
5
Reconnect the wiper/washer switch connector.
Disconnect the wiper motor connector.
Measure the voltage of the windshield wiper switch signal 2 circuit.
Does the voltage measure greater than 1.0 volts?
YES - Go to Step 6
NO - Go to Step 8
6
Repair a short to battery positive voltage in the windshield wiper switch signal 2 circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
YES - Did you find and correct the condition?
NO - Go to Step 9
--
7
Replace the wiper/washer switch. Refer to Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt.
YES - Did you complete the replacement?
NO - Go to Step 9
--
8
Replace the wiper motor cover. Refer to Wiper Motor Cover Replacement .
YES - Did you complete the replacement?
NO - Go to Step 9
--
9
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?
System OK
Go to Step 2
0helpful
1answer

Windshield wipers work intermittently

If the wipers have a delay, turn it off. Another cause could be an overheating wiper motor.
0helpful
1answer

1999 Dodge Intrepid with flickering Dash Lights and Wipers Delay Problems

the dash lights is a lose ground or power connection the wipers could be a couple things there is a wiper relay that may be going bad or the wiper motor is going bad could even be both
1helpful
1answer

Need to get a programmer dont know where its at

  • Windshield Wipers Continue to Run When Turn Signal and Windshield Wiper Switch Are Turned OFF
  • Damaged turn signal and windshield wiper switch .
  • Damaged windshield wiper motor .
  • Damaged windshield wiper control module.
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Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function 1 57 (BK) Wiper Motor Ground (Park) 2 28 (BK/PK) Wiper Module to Wiper Motor (Park Switch) 3 65 (DG) Wiper Motor Power (Park Feed) 4 61 (Y/R) Wiper Motor Common (RUN) 5 56 (DB/O) Wiper Motor LO 6 58 (W) Wiper Motor HI
Windshield Wiper System The windshield wiper system consists of :
  • Windshield wiper motor (17508) (F-type).
  • Washer system.
  • Windshield wiper control module.
  • Turn signal and windshield wiper switch (13K359).
The windshield wiper control module is:
  • Located at the instrument panel fuse panel.
The windshield wiper motor is:
  • Attached to the cowl top extension (021A36) .
  • Connected to windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft (17566) .
The turn signal and windshield wiper switch features a:
  • Rotary wiper switch.
  • Push type washer actuator.
OFF/Low/High Speed
  • Has a two-speed, permanent magnet, three brush electric windshield wiper motor .
  • The windshield wiper motor has a brush rigging that permits selection of low or high speed.
  • When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is in the LO position, the common brush and the blue/orange wire brush are used, and the windshield wiper motor operates at low speed.
  • When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is in the HI position, the common brush and the white wire brush are used.
  • In HI position, electric current will bypass a portion of the armature winding causing the windshield wiper motor to operate faster.
  • When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is moved to the OFF position, the windshield wiper motor will continue at low speed until the park switch outer contacts open.
  • When the park switch contacts open, the windshield wiper motor stops in the park position.
Interval
When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is in the interval position:
  • The wipers make single wipes separated by pauses.
  • The rotary switch is on the end of turn signal and windshield wiper switch .
  • The length of the pause can be set from approximately 1 to 17 seconds.
  • Length of pause decreases as the rotary switch is rotated away from off.
  • Length of pause increases as the rotary switch is rotated toward off.
While in the interval wiper mode:
  • It is normal to hear a slight click at the beginning of each on/pause cycle. NOTE: When using interval wipers, the first wipe may not occur until after a pause of up to 17 seconds.
0helpful
1answer
0helpful
1answer

2008 Buick Lacrosse, wiper delay problem

Sounds to me like a weak windshield wiper motor.  My 92 sable did this.  Replacing the motor solved the problem.  
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