windshield wiper gremlin question

[alchemist]

I switched on the wipers this morning in the 90 GM that my son drives (I don't drive it often) and a couple things I noticed:

1. It seems like there's a clicking or almost electrical arcing noise deep inside the dash when I switch the wipers on.

2. On the intermittent setting, the wipers work on the very highest tick mark. On the second to highest tick mark, the wipers come out of their closed/stop position but do not operate. On all other intermittent settings, the wipers don't even come out of the stop position.

3. On low and high speeds, wipers work.

Would anyone know where to start on this? The previous owner said he replaced maybe a wiper relay? Not sure though...

[gadget73]

sounds like the intermittent wiper module has died. I don't know where this lives on a 1990 though, but it is somewhere inside the dash. That should be the only thing in the circuit with relays that can click.

[marquisman]

that or, maybe the multifuntion switch is gone. iirc,the multifunction switch in 1990+ would burn out?

[alchemist]

that or, maybe the multifuntion switch is gone. iirc,the multifunction switch in 1990+ would burn out?

you mean the stalk switch? I hear the arcing inside the dash though, so guessing the problem is in the dash...?

[alchemist]

Would you mean Motorcraft SW5665, wiper switch?

[MattDoscher]

Replace the multi-function stalk switch. My '91 GM was doing the same thing (unresponsive when intermittent is selected). I replaced the multi-function stalk switch w/ a new one and have had no problems since.

[alchemist]

Replace the multi-function stalk switch. My '91 GM was doing the same thing (unresponsive when intermittent is selected). I replaced the multi-function stalk switch w/ a new one and have had no problems since.

So a bad connection inside the multi-function switch stalk could cause the clicking and arcing at the 'wiper governor module' located under the dash? I guess I could see that too...

[sly]

bad connections arc in place. check the connector on the module first (and sniff the module to make sure it's not just a crispy critter inside).

[alchemist]

bad connections arc in place. check the connector on the module first (and sniff the module to make sure it's not just a crispy critter inside).

how hard is it to get to the module? Looks like it's up under dash, but can you get to it without dash trim panels off?

[sly]

most modules can be got at pretty easily reaching up under the dash. I have no clue where this one is located though. I've never had any issues with any of mine. I'll see if I can locate it after work today.