Is it possible to hardwire an on/off switch directly to the windshield wiper motor? I'd like to just avoid the circuit board all together.

I know that the white wire is power, and it is grounded somewhere else (Not the 4 wires coming out of it...)

What do you think?

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Sure you can do that. I think the white wire controls the park function. The gray wire controls the low speed and the purple wire controls high speed. You could tap into the white wire (constant 12V, from ignition) put in your switch then tap into the gray wire at the motor. I think you will lose the park function; you'll have to do that with your switch.

If you feel OK having half ass repairs on your car, fine with me. (I'm not trying to be mean.) Personally, I would repair the problem (on my Fiero). On my old truck that is on it's last leg, I'm considering the same type of repair. Although I think I would prefer to replace the switch... I'm just kinda anal that way.

[This message has been edited by John Boelte (edited 01-12-2003).]

[This message has been edited by John Boelte (edited 01-12-2003).]

If its just the switch that’s bad look at the one used in the 85 Buick, it would look better than some generic switch.
I was looking at doing just that with mine. The switch in my column is bad and the wipers come on when I use my turn signal. I can bump the stalk and my wipers will come on so I know it’s the switch.
If that is your problem you could just install a kill switch that will not allow the wipers to come on when it is in the off position.
Good luck
Jake

[QUOTE]Originally posted by John Boelte:
If you feel OK having half ass repairs on your car, fine with me. QUOTE]

THAT'S JUST IT! I'M NOT OK WITH IT!!!
Ya see, the last guy that owned my Fiero didn't want to fix whatever the problem WAS so he bypassed the steering column switch and f*cked the whole damn thing up.

So, now something in his retarded setup went wrong, so I'm just going to simplify it for myself.

Thanks guys

Oslo, The best and maybe the easiest fix is to actually repair the thing correctly. If I remember right, you can get replacement wiper motors from a number of other GM cars. Just what cars may depend what setup you have for wipers.

There are two systems. One has the control board on the motor. The older system had an external control board under the dash.

There are only a small number of things to go wrong with either system. It would help you and us allot if you ID which system you are messing with.

Fixing it right probably won't take any more time than trying to work around things. Especially since you have to decode the previous hatchet job anyway.

You can run a manual switch but make sure it can handle a fair amount of current. The wiper motor can draw a good amount of power. Especially if the wiper blades or linkages are a little sticky.

At the very least, you'd want a "single pole double throw switch with Center Off." These are 3 position switches.

That will let you control both speeds of the motor and prevent you from trying to turn on both speeds at one time like separate switches can do.

It would also be posible to use a rotary switch like a spare heater blower control to get the two speeds. That switch will have extra stops but it can handle the current.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.