Wiper/washer System Buick LeSabre VII

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION

This is a depressed park system (the wipers park below the bottom of the windshield). The system uses a 2-speed wiper motor. A washer motor is attached to the washer fluid reservoir. A circuit board on the wiper motor cover controls power to the washer motor. (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2).

On vehicles with pulse (intermittent) system, if wiper switch is in DELAY position, a time delay occurs between wiping sweeps (on vehicles with variable delay, you can vary the time delay). The circuit board on the wiper motor cover controls the delay function.

WIPER ARMS

1. In park position, distance between upper edge of each wiper arm and bottom of parking ramp should be 1" (25.4 mm). Move wipers to outer wipe position (top of sweep). Distance between left wiper arm and vertical edge of windshield should be as follows: 1 3/8-4" (35-100 mm)
2. While wipers are operating, wiping pattern of right blade should overlap wiping pattern of left blade. If wiper arms are not positioned as specified, remove and reposition wiper arms.

TESTING

Note. Before testing, ensure wiper motor is securely mounted. Ensure washer hoses are not kinked, disconnected or broken. Ensure fuses are okay.

WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE IN ANY MODE

1. Disconnect wiper switch connector. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Connect test light between chassis ground and Yellow wire terminal of wiper switch connector. If test light does not come on, replace fuse and/or repair open wire.
2. If test light is on, disconnect 3-pin connector from wiper motor. Connect test light between battery voltage and Black wire terminal of 3-pin connector. If test light does not come on, repair open Black wire.
3. If test light is on, reconnect wiper switch connector. Disconnect 6-pin connector from wiper motor. Connect test light between chassis ground and Dark Green wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector. If test light is on, go to next step. If test light is off, check for open Dark Green wire. If Dark Green wire is okay, replace wiper switch.
4. Turn wiper switch to LO position. Connect test light between chassis ground and Gray wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector. If test light is on, go to next step. If test light is off, check for open Gray wire. If Gray wire is okay, replace wiper switch.
5. Check for continuity in Yellow wire between 3-pin and 6-pin wiper motor connectors. If there is no continuity, repair open Yellow wire. If there is continuity, check for poor wiring connection at wiper motor. If connection is okay, replace wiper motor cover (circuit board). (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2). If problem still exists, replace wiper motor.

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

WIPERS RUN AT HIGH SPEED ONLY (LOW SPEED INOPERATIVE)

1. Disconnect 6-pin connector from wiper motor. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn wiper switch to LO position. Connect test light between chassis ground and Gray wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector. If test light is on, go to next step. If test light is off, check for open Gray wire. If Gray wire is okay, replace wiper switch.
2. Connect test light between chassis ground and Dark Green wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector. If light is on, go to next step. If test light is off, check for open Dark Green wire. If Dark Green wire is okay, replace wiper switch.
3. Check for continuity in Yellow wire between 3-pin and 6-pin wiper motor connectors. If there is no continuity, repair open Yellow wire. If there is continuity, check for poor wiring connection at wiper motor. If connection is okay, replace wiper motor cover (circuit board). (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2). If problem still exists, replace wiper motor.

WIPERS RUN AT LOW SPEED ONLY (HIGH SPEED INOPERATIVE)

1. Disconnect 3-pin connector from wiper motor. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn wiper switch to HI position. Connect test light between chassis ground and Purple wire terminal of wiper motor 3-pin connector.
2. If test light is on, go to next step. If test light is off, check for open Purple wire. If Purple wire is okay, replace wiper switch.
3. Check for poor wiring connection at wiper motor. If connection is okay, replace wiper motor.

WIPERS RUN INTERMITTENTLY IN LOW OR HIGH SPEED SETTINGS

1. Remove wiper system fuse. Connect an ammeter (0-30 amp) across fuse block terminals. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn wiper switch to LO position. Note lowest current draw while wipers are running on dry glass (current draw will fluctuate).
2. If lowest current draw is less than 3.5 amps, replace wiper motor. If lowest current draw is more than 6.5 amps, go to next step. If lowest current draw is less than 6.5 amps, test is complete.
3. Replace wiper blade elements and repeat test. If lowest current draw is still more than 6.5 amps, go to next step. If lowest current draw is not more than 6.5 amps, test is complete.
4. Disconnect drive link from wiper motor crank arm and repeat test. If lowest current draw is still more than 6.5 amps, replace wiper motor. If lowest current draw is not more than 6.5 amps, wiper linkage is binding. Replace or repair as required, and repeat test.

WIPERS WILL NOT SHUT OFF

1. Disconnect 6-pin connector from wiper motor. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn wiper switch to OFF position. Measure voltage between chassis ground and Gray wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector.
2. If zero volts is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is present, check for short to battery voltage in Gray wire. If wire is okay, replace wiper switch.
3. Disconnect 3-pin connector from wiper motor. Measure voltage between chassis ground and Purple wire terminal of wiper motor 3-pin connector. If zero volts is present, repair short to battery voltage in Yellow wire between wiper motor connectors.
4. If battery voltage is present, check for short to battery voltage in Purple wire. If Purple wire is okay, replace wiper switch.

WIPERS CYCLE IN AND OUT OF PARK POSITION AFTER WIPERS ARE SHUT OFF

If wipers do not operate in LO position, go to the WIPERS RUN AT HIGH SPEED ONLY (LOW SPEED INOPERATIVE) test.

If wipers operate in LO position, replace wiper park switch. See WIPER PARK SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If symptom still exists, replace wiper motor, then repeat test.

PULSE DELAY OPERATES INCORRECTLY OR NOT AT ALL

1. Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disconnect wiper switch connector. Turn wiper switch to DELAY position. Connect ohmmeter between Yellow wire and Pink wire terminals of wiper switch connector (switch side of connector). Move wiper switch through entire delay range.
2. Resistance should vary from approximately 24,000 ohms to 1,224,000 ohms. If resistance is not as specified, replace wiper switch. If resistance is as specified, measure resistance between Yellow wire and Gray wire terminals of wiper switch connector (switch side of connector).
3. If resistance is greater than 3 ohms, replace wiper switch. If resistance is less than 3 ohms, check for open Gray wire or Pink wire between wiper switch and wiper motor. If circuits are okay, remove wiper motor cover (circuit board). (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2).
4. Check to see if park switch pulse terminals are touching pads on circuit board. If contacts are touching pads, replace wiper motor cover (circuit board). (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2). If contacts are not touching pads, replace park switch spring contacts.

WASHER MOTOR DOES NOT OPERATE

1. Disconnect washer motor connector. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Connect test light between terminals of washer motor connector. While observing test light, activate washer switch. If test light is off, go to next step. If test light is on, check for poor wiring connection at washer motor. If connection is okay, replace washer motor.
2. Connect test light between chassis ground and Red wire terminal of washer motor connector. Activate washer switch. If test light is off, go to next step. If test light is on, check for open Dark Blue wire between washer motor and wiper motor. If wire is okay, replace wiper motor (internal ground circuit is open).
3. Connect test light between chassis ground and Red wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector. If test light is on, repair open Red wire between wiper motor and washer motor. If test light is off, turn ignition switch to RUN position.
4. Measure voltage between chassis ground and Red wire terminal of wiper switch connector. Activate washer switch. If no voltage is present, replace wiper switch. If battery voltage is present, check for open Red wire (or Pink wire) or poor wiring connection. If wire and connection are okay, replace wiper motor cover (circuit board). (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2).

WASHER WILL NOT SHUT OFF

1. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn wiper switch to LO position. Disconnect 6-pin connector from wiper motor. Connect test light between wiper motor case (ground) and Pink wire terminal of wiper motor 6-pin connector.
2. Momentarily activate washer switch while observing test light. If test light is on, replace washer switch. If test light is off, replace wiper motor cover (circuit board). (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2). See «WIPER MOTOR COVER (CIRCUIT BOARD)»(/buick/lesabre/vii-1992-1999/remont/wiperwasher-systems/#wiperwasher-system) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Turn ignition switch to RUN position. Turn wiper switch to DELAY position (or LO position on vehicles without pulse system). When wipers are at inner wipe position (bottom of sweep), turn ignition off. Mark position of wiper blades in relation to windshield for installation reference.
2. Disconnect washer fluid hose. Remove protective cap for access to wiper arm nut. Lift wiper arm, and insert a pin or pop rivet through holes next to wiper arm pivot to hold wiper blade away from windshield.
3. Remove nut. Pull wiper arm off of splined shaft, using a battery terminal puller if necessary. To install, reverse removal procedure using new nut. Ensure wiper arms are correctly positioned. See WIPER ARMS under «ADJUSTMENTS»(/buick/lesabre/vii-1992-1999/remont/wiperwasher-systems/#wiperwasher-system) .

Remove wiper arms. See WIPER ARMS. Remove cowl vent screen(s). Disconnect wiper motor electrical connectors. Separate drive link from crank arm. Remove wiper motor screws. Remove wiper motor, guiding crank arm through hole. Remove crank arm from wiper motor. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure wiper arms are correctly positioned. See WIPER ARMS under ADJUSTMENTS .

Removal

Remove wiper motor assembly (if necessary). Remove screws and wiper motor cover. (Scheme 1)

Installation

Ensure wiper motor is in park position. Ensure drive pin is positioned as illustrated. (Scheme 2) To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Remove wiper motor cover (circuit board). See WIPER MOTOR COVER (CIRCUIT BOARD). If wiper motor is in PARK position, operate motor until lock pawl can be removed from relay slot. (Scheme 2) Remove screw and park switch.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Before installing wiper motor cover, ensure wiper motor is in park position. Ensure drive pin is positioned as illustrated. (Scheme 2) To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Remove wiper arms. See WIPER ARMS. Remove cowl panel vent screen(s). Separate drive link from crank arm. Remove screws securing drive link assembly to body. Remove drive link assembly through access hole in shroud. To install, reverse removal procedure. Ensure wiper arms are correctly positioned. See WIPER ARMS under ADJUSTMENTS .

WIPER/WASHER SWITCH

Wiper/washer switch is an integral part of multifunction switch. See the STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article.

Drain and remove washer fluid reservoir. Remove washer motor from reservoir. To install, reverse removal procedure.

See also:
• COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES
• STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES
• WIPERS RUN AT HIGH SPEED ONLY (LOW SPEED INOPERATIVE)
• WIPER PARK SWITCH