Seems like my wiper motor is shot

[Guest Tishabet]

I tested my wiper motor off of manifold vacuum last night....not good. When I switch on the wipers, there is no movement but there is an audible hiss from the area of the motor.

What's my best option here? Is this something I can fix myself or am I going to have to send it out to be repaired?

[jeff]

Be careful when you test while holding the motor in your hand. A good one will break your finger!

I have been into mine a number of times - the ultimate fix was to find a better one at Hershey. In my case the paddle was worn too far to save - first I cleaned and re-lubed it, then I tried to make a new paddle seal, then I tried the same with a second unit, then I bought a good one.

But - on my friend's car, I followed a new theory that I recommend you try. It could be that your paddle seal wear is ok, but your lube is all dried up. Try removing the side valve cover and feeding a little WD40 into the unit while you work the linkage back and forth. The lighter oils will work their way into the unit and soften up the aged lubricant inside. Its worth a try. Be careful with the little valve mechanism when you remove the cover, some intricate little pieces will try to jump out. Oh yeah - disturbing the main gasket by opening the unit to look at the paddle is a bad idea - its a critical seal and a tough one to reproduce.

If all else fails, there are guys out there who rebuild these things.

[Bill Stoneberg]

Best bet is Fickens Wiper Service. http://www.wiperman.com

I have had 2 dont by him and when they come back they are like electric wipers.

May sure you hoses and fuel pump is good too.

[West Peterson]

Don't forget to clean and lubricate the linkage. While a friend of mine did his magic by lubricating my wiper motor, I found that my linkage was very gummed up and tight, so even if the motor was strong, nothing was happening. So, between the two efforts, now they flop around on my windshield like a greased pig!

[Patrick W. Brooks]

If you are hearing a hiss in the area of the engine it could also be a

simple vacumn leak in the hose from the fuel pump vacumn diaphram. The

diaphram in the fuel pump could also be bad

, although it probably would not hiss. When I bought my 1940 Super Sport

Coup the wipers were completely apart. They obviously did not work and

someone had tried to fix them. When I rebuilt the fuel pump the diaphram

in the upper vacumn chamber was split. It is hard to figure out the problem

over the internet as many things can be involved. After rebuilding the

fuel pump on my 1940 the wiper system was reinstalled and worked perfectly.

Have a good day and good luck. Patrick W. Brooks

[Guest Tishabet]

Jeff's WD-40 tip and West's advice for lubrication on the linkage did the trick! it's not "finger breaking" but it will get me past inspection and through any light rain I encounter. I might have it rebuilt by Fickens after the summer, but first I have a wedding to attend <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Thanks so much for your help guys!

[Bill Stoneberg]

Rain X is a big help too, just in case you get caught in it....

[critterpainter]

If you wind up needing a good wiper moter, call bobs Automobilia. They should have rebuilt ones in stock so yu won't have to wait for yours to be rebuilt.