TheSamba.com :: View topic - Wiper motor trouble shooting-works/doesn't work

Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:29 am

I am having some problems with my wiper motor and would like some suggestions on trouble shooting. It was working fine and then it stopped completely (I needed it since it was raining hard). I pulled over and checked the fuse box and ground and the fuse was not blown and the ground was connected (not sure of the wire continuity). Anyway the next moring I go out and try to turn it on and nothing and then try again and it works fine again. Well I need this to be dependable (daily driver) so I was wondering if you can offer any suggestions.

This was my plan;
1. Pull the motor
2. Pull the rear cover and check the brushes (make sure the wires are soldered properly and the brushes are in contact) and clean the commutator
3. Pull the front cover and check/replace the grease
4. Pull the side terminals and clean the contacts (do I just use electric cleaner?)
5. Bench test (to do this do I just put 12V and ground to the proper terminals and then put 12v to the low speed and then the hish speed terminals?)
6. May be the switch or a bad wire but I am unsure on how to check those with a multimeter.

Thanks in advance for any help. I will send it out to be repaired in the summer, but I need to get this fixed for the rest of the winter.

Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:53 pm

I did that to mine. I got rid of all the dried grease in the gear box. Worked great from then on. Make sure the shaft turns freely.

I also replaced all the connectors for some extra insurance.

Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:26 pm

I think I would check the the wiper switch first. You can do this by peeling back the rubber boot on the wiper motor to expose the wire connections. Then with a test light hooked up to a good ground and the key on, wiper switch off, touch the black/white wire. You should have power there. Then with the wiper switch turned on LOW, check power at the black wire connector. Then with the wiper switch on HIGH, check power at the black/yellow connector. Make sure you clean the ground connection behind the dash at the fuse box. If you do this first, you will know if you have a bad switch or something wrong with your motor. Good luck

Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:12 pm

I cleaned the terminals (the ground and fuse block one were dirty). After that everything reads fine. I get 11.75 volts to the wiper. I noticed the 2 wires that run from the contacts on the plastic area to the 2 brushes could use re-soldering. Is there a certain type of solder I should use? Also how do I remove the white plastic terminal housing on the side to get to the contacts (does it just slide up?). Thanks for the help.

Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:26 pm

I would leave well enough alone. If the wipers park then I would not worry about the contact points because that is all they do. You don't want to break any of the old plastic parts. Make sure that you passenger side wiper shaft is greased (oiled) and moving freely. You should be OK for now.

Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:19 pm

Anyone happen to have a picture of the contacts - just trying to learn some more. Thanks.

Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:09 am

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/360080.jpg

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=360080

74 Thing wrote: Anyone happen to have a picture of the contacts - just trying to learn some more. Thanks.

Used this myself today for troubleshooting same issue. Replaced Headlight relay and cleaned all fuse connections with emery cloth, then got in the Thing (with Headlights!--Yes!) started off to work in the Portland Rain and the wipers started working. Read this forum at work last night and did all of the above also and, VIOLA, I have wipes!