I have a 71 olds delta 88. The wipers will not turn off unless I turn the car off or pull the fuse. I took the switch out and they still run. Any ideas?

 

I've got the '73 Fisher Body manual in front of me. It's where the wiper system is covered (not in the chassis manual). I'm guessing the system is similar to '71. In the troubleshooting section under the "wiper will not shut off", here's what it says.

1. Does the wiper have both Lo and Hi speeds working? In other words, even if you can't shut the wipers off, can you still make them operate at low or high speed depending on the setting on the switch? If so, the problem is a short in the wire between the #1 terminal on the wiper motor and the wiper switch, and the remedy is to locate and repair the short.

2. Does the wiper motor work only on Lo speed? In other words, no matter whether you set the switch to low or high, it only operates at low speed. If so, two possibilities. The first is a defective wiper switch, and the remedy is to replace the switch. The second is a short in the wire terminal #3 on the wiper motor and the switch, and the remedy is as in #1.

3. Does the wiper work only on Hi speed (opposite of #2)? If so, the first possibility is, again, a defective wiper switch. The second is an open (break) in the wire between terminal #3 on the wiper motor and the switch. The remedy is to find the break and splice the wires back together.


Given that you've taken the switch out and they still run suggests the problem is not in the switch but is a short or open in one of the wires as described.

 

Try reversing the plug that goes to the motor itself.

 

I ain't no electrician, but this sounds like a recipe for disaster. First of all, the connector is likely keyed so it can be put on only one way. Trying to force it to go the other way might damage it. Second, according to the wiring diagram, the center terminal is #1 and connects to the wiper switch, while the two outer terminals are #2 (power from the ignition switch) and #3 (also connects to the wiper switch). If you flipped the connector over, you would be reversing what goes to terminals 2 and 3, which means you'd be applying power to where it's not supposed to be applied, which could lead to a direct short and possibly burned wires or worse.

What would reversing the connector be expected to accomplish?

 

Well, on a 66 442, it fixes the problem that the OP is experiencing.........
The plug on a 66 is not 'keyed' per se, and can easily be reversed. (don't ask me how I know........... )

 

The OP has a '71 Delta, which is far different from a '66 Cutlass. I don't have a '66 service manual, but I do have a '67, and the wiring is definitely different. For '67, power comes in through the center terminal, not one of the outside terminals. Cutlasses used an altogether different wiper motor than the full-size cars, too.

I wouldn't try something like reversing wiring without making sure my life insurance was fully paid up!

 

Thank you so much for the input.
I will try to track down the short in the lead wire as both low speed and high speed work. It just will not shut off.
I will let you know the outcome.
You guys have any idea where I might locate trim for this car?

 

The only place to find trim for the big Oldsmobiles is from another car just like it. No body and trim pieces are reproduced for these cars. Fenders might be interchangeable with other years from that era ('71-'76), and others on here will know for sure which years, but bumpers were different every year. If you need a front bumper, it can come from a '71 Delta 88, 98, or Custom Cruiser. The rear bumper can come only from another '71 Delta 88.

As far as your wipers, given that you can adjust the speed even though you can't turn them off, my guess is that you have a short in that wire between the #1 terminal and the wiper switch.

 

Thank you for the info.
I have good bumpers and recentley had them re-chromed.
Wish I could find the rubber bumper protectors that attach to them though. I have the old ones I took off but there are in real rough shape.
I will keep searching.

 

So did you find the problem to your wiper issue? I'm curious if the problem was a short and where it was.

Chris

 

Chris,
Thanks for the follow up.
I have not been able to locate the short yet but am working on it. My job keeps getting in the way of me working on the car!!!
I will be sure to send you a note when I figure it out!

Mike

 

This sounds like the classic park circuit problem on GM wiper motors. Search is your friend:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...pers-stay.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...s-haunted.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-alive.html

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...wierdness.html