I don´t drive my 72 Electra a lot. I realized yesterday that I have lost my wipers and CC. The CC had worked fine a couple of days ago, but I don´t remember the light to come on. I used the wipers last time when I replaced the wiper motor and repaired the wiper switch like two years ago. Today I checked for voltage at the wiper motor connector and didn´t get +12V. I then tried to pull the wiper switch and - hell! - I can´t seem to get it out of the dash board. I don´t remember if it´s only clipped in and if so, where those tangs are. I can get the upper part loose and the lower right, but the lower left corner is like bolted in. Do I only have to take off the illumination cable for the switch to come out? It´s hard to reach up from behind and push. As for the CC, is this in conjuction with the wiper by any chance? I don´t really think so, but you never know. Where should I start checking? All fuses check out, of course.
The cruise control and wiper motor are not using the same circuit. Check the ground strap (clean the connections) at the wiper motor first.
The wiper switch controls ground, not power to the motor. Is there power at the fuse? If there is, make sure that there is power coming out of the bulkhead on the firewall.
If I jumpered +12V from the battery to the middle post on the wiper terminal and grounded the upper or lower post, shouldn´t the wipers come on?
There's a test procedure in the service manual for diagnosing them. If you don't have 12v at the motor with the ignition on, diagnose that first. Be careful if you jump the motor. Don't let the smoke out.
I have 12V at the middle terminal now and finally got the switch out. Took it apart, one of the riders and the spring loaded cap were off again. Not sure if my prying caused this while trying to get the switch out from the dash board. Anyways, put everything back together, still no wipers. Will try and check if I get switched ground on post #1 and #3. If so, I guess I will have to open up the motor or swap it out completly - again. That reman stuff sucks.
It seems like it would be a simple system, but it's not. I remember back in the early 80's, I went to the GM training center for a one day class on wiper/washer systems. There are round and rectangular motors, pulse, non pulse, depressed and non depressed systems and they all operate differently. For the most part, if you don't have a manual, you're just guessing. As to the original post, if you had no power to the motor and now you do, start there.
From my 1973 Fisher Body Service Manual, 1972 should be the same: DIAGNOSIS - WIPER ON CAR Fig. 2-2-"LO" Speed Circuit
