Does anyone know if this can be fixed. The wiper motor prong was loose, so I pulled the motor and behind the contacts was a broken thin wire wrapped around some filament.

 

Assuming this is for a 1969 442 (based on your other wiring thread). Always best to ID the model year when discussing issues. Sorry, I don't know the answer to your question.

 

That’s likely a power resistor to drop the voltage. Looks like a ni-chrome wire wound around an asbestos (or some other heat resistant material) core.

 

Yes, thank you. It is for a 69 Oldsmobile. Car is in garage for winter, just going through electric and trying to fix things that are not working

 

NOTE: I stole these images from the Internet. They are applicable to a Cadillac not a 1969 Oldsmobile 4-4-2. Therefore, use w/ caution. To that end, they appear to demonstrate Kenneth's suggestion of a voltage drop power resistor (i.e. probably why it's called a high speed resistor - e.g. drops the voltage via the resistor). I didn't perform an exhaustive search of the Oldsmobile Parts Catalog; and, therefore I can't say whether there exists a Part No. for a high speed windshield motor resistor. The 10.150 number identified in the Oldsobsolete image places that resistor in Group 10 (Parts Catalog); but the Oldsobsolete image is pertinent to a 1963-1964 GM wiper motor. I couldn't find that resistor in Group 10 of my 1972 Parts Catalog. Good Luck!

URL link to the Oldsobsolete wiper motor resistor. Absolutely stupid $$ for a ten cent part. I don't think they have one anyways, but it does provide an image which might help demonstrate whether this is what you're referring to.
https://oldsobsolete.com/products-pa...r-nos-4911286/

 

Wow, that is really helpful. Thank you for the reasearch. I will Try to locate that part.
appreciate the info

 

The reason that you couldn't find it in the book is because by 1972 the resistor was no longer sold separately as in 1963.
It was part of a terminal board assembly.
For a 1969 the terminal board assembly carried OEM # 4916862

After a quick Google search I found this for $35;
1968 – 74 Chevrolet Corvette windshield wiper motor terminal board NOS #4916862 | eBay
They say it's for a Corvette, but it carries the same GM part number.
It will fit your 442.

 

Awesome. Thanks much, Charlie.