why do my windshield wipers make one swipe when i start my car?

I think you have what some people call the phantom wipers.I understand that it is a problem with the wiper motor.I think the circuit board.Try doing a search for phantom wipers. It has been discussed many times here on the forum.

there is a short in the steering console, when there is alot of dirt, dust , and build up it happens.

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Bobby from NW Indiana
86 Fiero GT, Looking to ad a 93 Northstar soon
thespeedshop@sbcglobal.net

my wiper do the same. i keep thinking it must be me

Mine do the same thing, once I get done with my daughters intake manifold I will see if I can find the problem. This is the second fiero to do this to me.

Mine too! In fact the only way I can get my washers to work is hold the turn signal stalk on right turn signal. I think it's something inside the column.

If it is in the steering cloumn,It would be the wire's that run from the stalk to the switch at the bottom of the column.You cansometimes fish the new stalk through the column with the old wire tied to the new wire and pull it though the column.A while back this happened to me and I changed the stalk and there was no change the wipers still came on when ever they wanted to.we changed the wiper motor and the problem was corrected.

when people ask me why is makes a wipe or just look at me wierd when i start my car, i tell them its a luxury option... clears the windshield for the driver before you start driving.... ahh luxury...

but seriously... how do we fix it?

[This message has been edited by rmphoto (edited 07-22-2004).]

See: http://www.fieros.de/en/articles/wiper.html

and: http://members.cox.net/2dry4u/fiero/wipers/wipers.html

Usually it's either the circuit board or the "park" switch contacts in the wiper motor that cause the "one swipe" problem. The board is easy to change but the motor cover rivets must be drilled out to reach the contacts. It's easier to just replace the motor.