Wiper switch

[J-440]

 Got a 3 speed wiper switch and it works properly but the power wire coming from the motor is getting hot.  It also shocks me a little bit when I'm running through hi/med/lo.  The jumper wires (brown) are also connected correctly per the stock diagram.  There's not much to this thing so I'm at a loss.  The ground strap at the wiper motor is also correct.  Lemme know if I'm missing something.  Thanks.

[Ghoste]

If you are getting a shock off the switch wouldn't that mean it has some kind of internal short or something like that? 

[J-440]

 It's a new switch and the old switch did the same thing.  I think I have a problem with a ground somewhere.  What do you think?

[bakerhillpins]

If you are getting a shock off the switch wouldn't that mean it has some kind of internal short or something like that? 

I'm with Ghoste on this.  I suspect that it's shorting to the chassis somewhere. It's not a great connection (the short that is) but enough to keep the wire warm with current flow. Whey you push the button you become a better connection to ground so you feel the tingle.

[J-440]

 What are the odds of 2 switches malfunctioning?  Does the push button squirter switch next to the wiper switch have anything to do with this problem? I'ts not connected at all. Just asking because the light and dimmer switches both have to be used for your lights to work properly.

[bakerhillpins]

I don't necessarily think it is the switch that is bad. (should have been more clear on that) May be simply a pinched supply wire or a spade connection that ends up rubbing on metal because it no longer has it's plastic insulator/surround.


If you take the switch out of the dashboard and just just leave it hanging do you still get shocked?

[J-440]

 Baker, aw man...does the switch have to be connected to the dash to get its ground?  I've been testing it the entire time while it was hanging freely OUT of the dash.  Would this be the reason  why I have been getting shocked?  Because the switch was not grounded?

[bakerhillpins]

No, I don't believe it gets the ground from the dash. I would expect it to have a few wires.

[bakerhillpins]

Looking at the wiring diagram in the FSM it seems that only 12v is applied to the wiper switch from the ignition switch. Not sure why you mention power coming from the motor as it comes from the ignition switch? It then back feeds to the wiper motor through the several wires via the bulkhead connector and then the wiper motor is grounded through it's connection to the body.

Since you have a 3 speed wiper switch there is apparently a "resistance cable" only used for 3 spd systems. Is this the jumper wire you mention? Are you sure you are not grabbing this (maybe an exposed wire or connection) when you are playing with the switch or it's not shorting to one of the other lines? if you disconnect the wiper motor or the bulkhead connector does the wire still get hot and/or do you still get shocked?

[J-440]

 12V from the ignition switch?  I've got the power wire from the fusebox, and the rest are from the motor going to the switch.  And yes the two brown wires are jumped correctly with the resistor.  The only terminal that is bare is the one that wires to the squirter button.  Would this have anything to do with the switch shocking me?

[J-440]

 Baker...finally figured it out (I'm shocked by my own skills!!)  I have a 2 speed motor with a 3 speed switch in the dash.  Someone back in the day must have made a mistake and installed the wrong switch.  Anyway, the wires from the motor, fusebox, and jumper wires were fine.  The switch is grounded when it's bolted to the dash and there is also another ground that connects to the squirter switch.  This is why I kept shocking myself.  2 grounds?  You ever heard of such a thing?  Anyway, thanks for your help.  Have a good one.

[bakerhillpins]

Glad you got it all sorted!! 

It's also possible that your car originally came with a 3 spd wiper motor and was replaced with a 2 spd one. Your fender tag/broadcast sheet would answer that question.