Autolite 4001 windshield wiper motor 48 DeSoto

[marcapra]

I'm getting ready to install my newly rewired dashboard, but I thought I should check out the windshield wiper motor first.  It is still in the car and has three threadbare wires coming out.  I have a NOS wiper switch in the dash, so those three other wires in the motor need to plug into the new switch before I fasten up the dashboard.  I have an old 48 Dodge Autolite wiper motor that I'm working on for practice.  I opened up the access plate and saw that the three wires go into the motor.  I think it would be too hard to replace the entire harness, so my plan is to the cut off the decayed wires and solder on new wires.  Is this a good way to go?  

[Mark Shaw]

Yes, but bench test it before installing it. 

[TTR]

2 hours ago, Mark Shaw said:

Yes, but bench test it before installing it. 

 

I agree, but would go as far as recommend testing it even before re-wiring, and if it works, take it completely apart for full service (including re-wiring) before installing it.

Or install it "as is", but without connecting power source to prevent any likely failures, including electrical fire.

Edited March 31 by TTR (see edit history)

[marcapra]

I wonder if rebuilt electric windshield wiper motors are available?  Yes, I do plan to give it power and test the motor before installing the dash.  

[marcapra]

I explored a bit by opening up my 48 Dodge junk wiper motor to learn more about them.  I opened the cover and then opened the plate where the gears are that drive the blades.  It was full of dirty 76 year old grease, so I plan to open up my motor on the car and clean that old grease out and put in some fresh grease.  The Dodge D-24 shop manual gives a good description of how to check the wiper motor.  The Green wire goes to the B terminal on the switch, the Red wire goes to the F, and the Black wire goes to the A.  I will have to peel the rubber sheath off the three wires a bit to see what color they are.  The motor gets its power from a red wire that comes in from the fuel gauge.  I took the end off of the motor which revealed the armature and spring loaded brushes.  I'm not going to do that on my car because the brushes pop out and I do not know how to fix those things.  I wonder if an auto electric shop works on wiper motors?  

[c49er]

That 4001 wiper motor pictured above  is not a 1941-48 DeSoto/Chrysler  wiper motor.

EWH 4001 is the correct one.

The pictured one is a later 1949 up wiper, maybe a EWJ 4001 which won't bolt up to your factory under side of cowl studs.

[marcapra]

The "junk" wiper pictured is FWR, or maybe EWR 4001.  It could be from a junk 51 Plymouth wagon I had in the 80s.  I am not putting the pictured wiper motor on my 48 DeSoto.  It is only for demonstration purposes.  I never pulled my wiper motor, so it's still in the car.  The plate is easy to access since the dash has not been installed yet.  I am planning to shrink wrap the three wires coming out of the motor and replace the old grease in the gear box.  Then I plan to bench test the motor on the car with a continuity tester and then supply 6 volts to see if it works, before installing the dash.  

Edited April 1 by marcapra (see edit history)

[c49er]

I have rewired a couple 1941-48 wiper motors with the factory cloth cloth wiring.

A bit tight and some what difficult. Have done lots of old MoPar cloth wiring resto work over the years.

Edited April 2 by c49er (see edit history)

[marcapra]

And when you open up the motor, the spring loaded brushes fly out, and I don't feel good enough to deal with that, so I'm hoping my motor will still work.  

[marcapra]

Today, I repacked the wiper motor gear box with fresh grease, and i shrink wrapped the three wires coming out the motor.  I color coded the wires and the wiper switch terminals in red, black, and green and plugged the wires into the switch.  Next, I will check for continuity, and hook the switch up to a six volt battery to see if it works before intalling the dashboard.  

Edited April 5 by marcapra (see edit history)