71 cutlass. My wipers wipe from the park position its just that they only move about 3 inchs back and forth, it also takes quite a bit of switch jiggling to get them to stop and I get shocked from the switch...bad ground?

 

When GM wipers do this, it almost always means it's time for a new wiper motor. You may be able to go in and clean the contacts, but wiper motors are not that expensive.

 

Thanks Joe, I'll take a wiper motor over trying to change that switch out. Although I do have to do my vert top switch.

 

Agree with Joe. This happened to me too. DIY, less than 100 bucks easy. But, make sure you get the right motor. Whichever store you buy from make sure you specify that they are "hidden" wipers. There's a difference apparently. I'm not sure what it is but I suspect its the cam used to "park" the wipers below the hood reveal trim.

 

Make sure the wiper motor is grounded good

 

Just a note. If I hold the washer button in both speeds work and sweep as normal. I ordered a new one..

 

New wiper motor is in. Low is high speed, high speed moves about 3" from park position and to turn them off i have to work the switch a whole bunch. Anyone tell me where I should check for the ground?

 

If you work the switch and the function it "switches" is intermittent then the switch is bad in my opinion. Never dealt with this problem specifically but I do work on electronics all day. If you jiggle a switch and the function is intermittent then it is a bad switch. Plus you said you got shocked by it. As to the 3 inch of sweep problem, it may be in the armature, perhaps a pivot point is loose or something....

 

The 3" sweep is typical of GM wiper motors when there's a wiring problem, particularly if the sweep is normal on one speed but not on the other. The wiper is wired for high speed and there's a shunt winding in the opposite direction that slows the motor down for low speed. These windings also engage the park circuit. A wiring problem (in the motor, harness, or switch) can cause this 3" sweep. If the motor works on one speed, the ground is likely fine. Unfortunately, it does sound like the switch. Sorry you had to replace the motor.