Wipers wiping and wiping and wiping...

Spectre · Post by **Spectre** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:54 am

Won't go off. PO just took the arms off and let 'em run.

Switch? Relay?

They will change speed, just won't go off.

Can I pull the fuse as a temporary fix?

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 7:58 am

You didn't mention what year your car is but going by the section you posted in, they're hydraulic. you can adjust the cable to see if that does it, or you might need a motor. Good luck, Bob C

Spectre · Post by **Spectre** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 8:05 am

rene gautron · Post by **rene gautron** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:06 am

There is a detailed instruction on adjusting them in the shop manual.

BrianC · Post by **BrianC** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:49 am

Check the dash switch...the plastic housing breaks down and eventually crumbles, and there's nothing to keep the hot contacts from touching. (at least that's what I remember from my experience)

Spectre · Post by **Spectre** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:56 am

"There is a detailed instruction on adjusting them in the shop manual."

Thank you for the input and assume that I checked the shop manual, but it didn't relay any of it's personal experiences or knowledge in running down the problem or that I'm just too silly to understand it

Thanks Bob and Mr. Brian, I'll check it out.

cdhowell · Post by **cdhowell** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 10:48 am

The wipers are hydraulic not electric. They are powered by the power steering pump.

RedBird64 · Post by **RedBird64** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 11:11 am

My first thought would be that the control cable has gotten corroded and is sticking and not allowing full movement. I would gain access the cable inside the car and see if you can push it down into the sheath more. If this makes it stop then you've found your problem and you may be able to force some oil down the cable. Kits for oiling bike cables can be helpful.
If that doesn't do it then your going to need to pull the cowl and check to make sure the control is moving fully.

As Cdhowell said this system is completely hydraulic so there are no electrical components.

Good luck
Scott

Tbird100636 · Post by **Tbird100636** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:02 pm

BrianC - Check the dash switch...the plastic housing breaks down and eventually crumbles, and there's nothing to keep the hot contacts from touching. (at least that's what I remember from my experience)

That's for the washer switch, not the wipers.

birdstudeguy · Post by **birdstudeguy** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:22 am

Having the same problem with my 66 Bird, can't turn off the wipers. The wiper control doesnt push back in as much as the washer control but it does run fast when pulled out. After checking all the fuses on the kick panel of the passenger side, they still don't stop probably because the wipers are said to be hydraulic. Can anyone tell me how to fix and how do you pull or take off the wiper arms before my windshield gets totally scratched.

redstangbob · Post by **redstangbob** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 5:43 am

Welcome to the forum birdstudeguy, you've found the best forum on the net. As you've already found, the wipers are hydraulic and are controlled by a cable from the dash to the wiper motor. Do they park or stop when you push the lever in? I'm sure more will chime in with suggestions, Bob C

Jim Wulf · Post by **Jim Wulf** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 12:27 pm

The cable has most likely slipped in the clamp on the motor. You can adjust the cable by removing the access panel on the firewall. Two phillips screws hold the panel on. There's insulation material on the back of the panel and it is snug around the hydraulic line, so you may need to pry it a little.

Once the panel is off you'll be able to see the cable end and clamp. Loosen the clamp, push the dash control all the way in and adjust the clamp-cable assembly accordingly.

It's NOT easy to reach as it's at the very back center of the engine compartment. It will definitely help to remove the air cleaner housing and cowl braces, and anything else you can that might be in the way. You might find it useful to lay an old mattress or other thick pad across the engine so you can lay across it to reach the panel. That's what I do when installing a booster and it helps.

Here's a picture of the panel:

This is an empty engine compartment - your access won't be so clear.

birdstudeguy · Post by **birdstudeguy** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 2:01 pm

Thanks for the info re the access area on the firewall. Sadly my 74 yr old body may not be able to bend enough to accomplish the job. This weekend I will have someone younger and more flexible and follow the instructions given. In the meantime, how do the arms come off the shaft? Need a special tool? Looked under there and there seems to be a vertical slot. What to do?

Really appreciate the help, it lookslike we are on our way to fixing the problem?

Bill

Hope I am doing this post correctly as well, not handy with tools and not a computer whiz either.

Jim Wulf · Post by **Jim Wulf** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 2:42 pm

Thanks for the info re the access area on the firewall. Sadly my 74 yr old body may not be able to bend enough to accomplish the job. This weekend I will have someone younger and more flexible and follow the instructions given. In the meantime, how do the arms come off the shaft? Need a special tool? Looked under there and there seems to be a vertical slot. What to do?

Really appreciate the help, it lookslike we are on our way to fixing the problem?

Bill

Hope I am doing this post correctly as well, not handy with tools and not a computer whiz either.

The arms don't need to come off the shaft to accomplish the job. All you're doing is loosening one screw, shifting the cable, and tightening the same screw. Couldn't be simpler if it weren't for the accessibility issue.

However, if you want to remove the arms from the shaft anyway, the best way is to use a wiper arm removal tool. The arm is only held on by friction, but you need to relieve the tension on the arm to work it loose. I've done it with a screwdriver and some padding, but that could be hazardous to your paint job.

A screw type puller will cost you about $10 at the local auto store. Well worth it.

birdstudeguy · Post by **birdstudeguy** » Sun Jun 23, 2013 2:35 pm

opened up the firewall access panel and nothing there. This is a 66 Bird as stated as a topic on my first post on the 19th. Pulled the inside panel off and nothing in there makes too much sense to me and my fellow handy kind of guy. We can see what looks like a cable coming from that inside panel going to maybe a motor under the cowling. Is that possible? Is that the next step to take off the cowling?
to take off the cowl? What steps to take, what about the stainless trim under the windshield? We tried prying up the wiper arms to no avail. Is there a particular part # for the correct puller to take the arms off?
Maybe this bit of info may help, when pulling the wiper control towards you, it does speed up and when pushing back in, it does slow them up a bit but not off like the control needs to continue another inch or so.
Getting desperate.

Vintage Thunderbird Club International

Wipers wiping and wiping and wiping...

Wipers wiping and wiping and wiping...

wipers keep running

wipers don't turn off 1966 Bird

Re: wipers don't turn off 1966 Bird

nothing behind access panel for 66 bird wipers