Wipers stop periodically

[Larryjb]

My wipers will just stop working periodically. If I turn them off, then back on again, they usually start right up again.

Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose when they are intermittent like this on is. I don't want to just throw parts at it. Any idea whether it is more likely the multifunction switch or to wiper motor itself?

 

[S33k3r]

To diagnose the wiper motors we would need to hear/see more symptoms. From your brief description, it sounds like your multifunction switch. But I wouldn't rule out a busted wire in the steering column, either. Your truck is over 20 years old; a wire could have metal fatigue -- or even rubbed on something -- such that it makes contact *most* of the time.

 

[Doubeleive]

My wipers will just stop working periodically. If I turn them off, then back on again, they usually start right up again.

Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose when they are intermittent like this on is. I don't want to just throw parts at it. Any idea whether it is more likely the multifunction switch or to wiper motor itself?

typically it is the wiper motor pulse board going bad, if there is a junkyard around you try grabing a used one.
intermittment problems suck because unless you spend a lot of time trying to narrow it down sometimes you just gotta try the most common things

 

[Larryjb]

Thanks for your ideas. I see that the pulse module has two contacts that could have corroded in the elements. I may look here first, as they may simply need cleaning. I may wait for better weather though. I don't like working in the cold rain.

 

[Larryjb]

I came across this video. Kinda hard to see, but the information is priceless. I may have a bad solder joint somewhere.

 

[OR VietVet]

Those pulse boards have a long GM history of problems.

 

[Larryjb]

Sounding more and more like it is the pulse board. Thanks guys!