Reading the wiper problem reminded me that we have had a wiper motor problem, just with the left one for the past year. It's never worked right, sometimes intermittently, mostly not at all. We've had two new motors installed, last time being told it was improperly grounded. So we drove off happy, wiper working. But after a week, turned it on.
NADA! (and that is not National Automobile Dealers Association!) So what next? Obviously the guy who's tried to fix it three times doesn't know how. And neither do I. Any suggestions appreciated.
BTW, it's a '95 Regency.

Try a separate ground strap. Just a piece of wire will do.

Hmmmm, contacts in the switch itself? Don't know if it's feasible, but can you bypass the switch with a temp jumper to see if the wiper performs?

ron, send them one of your world famous extension cords. You know the one called "YOU LITE UP MY LIFE" or maybe "YOU LIT UP MY FORMER LIFE". YES we love you ron

nuevomex forgive my naivet� because I am not sure how you's guys big honkers work. (technical jargon) but is there a chance it could be a mechanical problem, like a bad spline?

And, a not related question. Do you have just one switch for both windshield wipers and do the work together?

Dearest Barth Honcho (and Honchoette) forgive my naivet� but what the heck's a "spline". (this is Susie) And yes, the right and left wiper have seperate controls. The passenger side (mine USUALLY) works fine. I tell Gary cause I have better karma than he does.

"ron, send them one of your world famous extension cords. You know the one called "YOU LITE UP MY LIFE" or maybe "YOU LIT UP MY FORMER LIFE". YES we love you ron"

LOL...........hey, I think you're on to something Dale. Some #6 stranded ought to do the trick....

Seriously, if it's a spline/arm interface problem, you should be able to see/hear that from out front. But surely the professionals would not have missed something like that. ??

OK guys, Susie and I are usually on the same page but we both use her screen name on Barthmobile.com so perhaps it's time for me to get my own moniker. Thanks for the suggestions. Dave, there are two switches, one for each side, two separate motors, etc. And there is no noise outside (or inside except for a few choice words when the wiper doesn't work!) I like the idea of a separate grounding strap and we'll try that next. At the moment we're having the tires rotated and the guy says they're good for another 20K miles. Sure better than buying a set of new ones at $279 each! Hope to see you all down the road!

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Susie and Gary (SUGAR)
'95 Barth Regency 34'
'96 Explorer

Gary this is a picture of a spline shaft



You wiper arm pushes on to a spline shaft and is held in place by a nut. The spline is part of your wiper motor. I have had two of these strip in my automobile history, first being my 1959 Opal I owned while stationed in Garmish, Germany and on my Barthmobile. The spline does not have to be totally striped for the shaft to spin under the arm. And, you have to look close to see it because ther is probably a rubber boot over the top of it.

Unless you nut is totally loose or your spline is totally stripped (not likely) you symptoms will be sporatic.

Side story, I had a date with a good looking German girl and we went to a dance place in Garmish. (if anyone here has been in Garmish-Partenkirchen you know what I mean. It is party town super sized). Was driving back to drop her off in the pouring rain. This is when I learned about wiper splines and leaking sunroofs. Shux...

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Short cuts always take longer

1985 28 foot Regal
Dave and Deb Bowers

[This message has been edited by davebowers (edited October 22, 2003).]