Community Forums

Doc Vegas · 12-29-2013, 11:26 PM

Hi Folks:

On my maiden voyage from Houston to Tucson, it rained on and off from Houston to Fort Stockton. I noticed that the wipers were very sensitive and that if the rain slowed at all the wipers were "grabby" on the windshield. I used the intermittent wipers and turned them on/off per usual. However, part way up the road the wipers stopped at about full extension from parked. I had no choice but to drive carefully to the next exit despite the rain. I checked the fuse (30 amp) and it was fine. The wiper motor was really hot and when I pushed on the blades manually they went to park despite the switch being turned to the off position. I assume the motor was trying to return the blades the entire time.

I am really perplexed by this issue. I search this and other forums and all I found was references to grounding issues and to use dielectric and silcon sealent on the motor plug. I pulled the plug apart and it seemed very clean and very dry.

Any ideas what could have caused this? I am worried to take it back on the road again until remedied.

Thanks!

**CLIFFTALL** · 12-30-2013, 03:57 AM

Here's a link to some previous threads that may assist while waiting for someone to respond here.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ford...earch=irv2.com

mrschwarz · 12-30-2013, 08:26 AM

I had the exact same problem as you, although I am on a different chassis. According to Freightliner and Winnebago, the wipers belong to Winnebago. I would assume yours are the same.

If you can see under the cowling, look at the linkages connecting the wiper arm to the wiper motor. Check the wiper transmission (the thingy that the wiper arm is mounted to). If the lever on the back of the transmission is parallel with the wiper linkage, it's probably jammed. It's like when a bicycle pedal if perfectly vertical. If you step on it from above, it can't decide to go forward or backward.

I had the problem because Winnebago used the wrong length wiper linkages. The fix was to replace them with adjustable ones so that the transmission levers never approached parallel. Once they were adjusted properly, I remounted the wiper arms properly.

On my coach, it was a design defect that the previous owner never fixed. I hope I'm wrong with yours.

nytrorcr · 12-30-2013, 09:25 AM

I Rain-X my windows, don't use my wipers all that much and with the positioning of the front windows the wind just drive the rain to the sides.......Great product

Nick-B · 12-30-2013, 01:30 PM

Hi Doc.

If it turns out that your wiper motor need to be replaced, these folks can probably help you out.
Windshield Wiper Blades and Systems | DC Electric Motors | Wiper Motor Assembly | AM Equipment

Doc Vegas · 12-31-2013, 11:55 PM

Thanks folks. I took the rig in yesterday to a local shop. They will look at it on Thursday/Friday of this week.

I really appreciate the information from mrschwarz, this makes sense to me as the potential issue. The wipers seemed to stick only in certain position - I believe fully extended (as compared to park).

Will post back when the experts have diagnosed it. I did send them a note to let them know about the potential defect in the arm length.

Thanks again

mrschwarz · 01-01-2014, 09:52 PM

Glad my misfortune helped someone else.

Doc Vegas · 01-02-2014, 12:12 AM

Will post up my results to help others if possible. Cheers

Doc Vegas · 01-02-2014, 09:09 PM

Got a call from repair shop today. They say that it is the motor. They told me that when motor disconnected the blades move freely and that when the wipers are turned on the motor gets too hot. I guess I will go for a new motor and hope for the best.

Thanks all

Luanddavid · 04-18-2014, 10:43 PM

I have the identical rig as you. I have had similar issues with the wipers. I was wondering how they work now? Can you give any descriptors on the motor type? Thanks

Doc Vegas · 04-20-2014, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luanddavid

I have the identical rig as you. I have had similar issues with the wipers. I was wondering how they work now? Can you give any descriptors on the motor type? Thanks

Hi,indeed I did get a new motor and installed myself. Very easy to do. I ended up getting the factor identical replacement, which is a Wexco D101. I tried the folks linked above and they do seem to have lower prices, but they asked me so many questions and wanted me to measure shaft diameters and such. I decided it was worth an extra $40 or so to just get the Wexco replacement and be done with it. I have not yet driven the rig in the rain, but turning them on dry, the definitely seem to have full power. The old motor looked like oil or grease may have leaked out of the drive unit, who knows.

Good luck.