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windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on


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dustpan
New User

Aug 21, 2014, 12:35 AM

Post #1 of 6 (2538 views)
windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on Sign In

I have a 1983 Chevy pickup C10 6.2L V8 diesel truck. Every time I turn the windshield wipers on the windshield wiper pump also turns on and eventually uses all of the liquid in the windshield wiper fluid reservoir. I have replaced the windshield wiper switch and the pulse wiper switch that the wiper switch plugs into located on the driver dash board and just behind the driver dashboard. There is a plug with 3 wires that plugs into the wiper motor and there are two plugs each with two wires that plug into the windshield wiper fluid motor. When I turn the wipers on and test where I can find voltage with my voltage meter, there isn't any voltage on any wires that are connected to the wiper fluid pump even though the fluid pump is always on when the wipers are. There is + voltage and - voltage on two of the wires that plug into the wiper motor. When I unplug the 3 wire plug connected to the wiper motor, the wipers and the wiper fluid motor both turn off. When I unplug either or both of the two wire plugs connected to the wiper fluid pump, nothing changes in how the wipers and wiper fluid pump operate. I don't get it. The wiper fluid pump must be powered through the wiper motor and maybe the two two wire plugs that plug into the wiper fluid pump are somehow connected to a relay that shuts the wiper fluid pump off when they are supposed to shut it off. I don't know how to fix this problem. Is this a relay problem inside the wiper pump motors? Are wires possibly crossed before reaching the pump motors? Is the only way to fix it by buying a new wiper pump motor? I checked all of the fuses under the dashboard and they are good. Could somebody please help me.

Here is a link to a picture of just the wiper fluid pump which is connected to the wiper motor

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4zvh6X0uByzal9iaXRwZnNSUXM/edit


and here is a link to a picture of the wiper fluid pump, the windshield wiper pump and the replacement wiper pump that I tried hooking up to several wires but failed to produce any condition to the one I have already explained. In this picture the replacement wiper pump wires are connected to the yellow and middle wires of the 3 wire plug that is plugged into the wiper motor.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4zvh6X0uByzWDByaEU5RVNnekE/edit


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 21, 2014, 3:13 AM

Post #2 of 6 (2523 views)
Re: windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on Sign In

That was common to the "piggy-backed" pump on washer motor back when. Not easily sold separate from an assembly and could be a pest to "clock" them just right but you can disable the mechanical pump and put a cheap in-line electric pump with tapping into existing wiring BUT washers will stay on only when you push the button.


Oh boy - been so long I forgot. Get motor to home position at least and you can remove just the pump and perhaps see something broken keeping it on or not. Whole unit pump and all still not huge bucks but didn't care for that way personally. I'd switch is to the kit made just to bypass the original way just know the electric pump should use the original power and ground wires that make the OE one work. Still a bit fussy so old one doesn't continue running or take it off and disable it if all jammed up. It was supposed to run as long as wipers were on or it was triggered stayed on as you described and would NOT allow wipers to stop either to blind you with just the fluid.


Kit was easier and more dependable IMO - never replaced those again but much cheaper too. Actually whole pump isn't that expensive either. Kit like this..........



T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Aug 21, 2014, 4:37 PM

Post #3 of 6 (2504 views)
Re: windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on Sign In

Throw the scotchlocs in the trash...LOL

Hey Tom, is there a check valve of some sorts to keep the kit's pump primed, so you don't have to wait ten seconds for washer fluid to come out of the squirters? I would imagine you would want to mount the pump as close as possible where the reservoir is.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Aug 21, 2014, 4:44 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 22, 2014, 3:38 AM

Post #4 of 6 (2483 views)
Re: windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on Sign In

I mounted the electric pumps down lower than reservoir so didn't need re priming or anything more than keeping fluid supply full enough. Takes lots and lots to de-ice sometimes so actually vs the piggy-back pump the electric was better than OE type for that much.


DS - I know you'll split a gut but owned many cars with no washers at all from OE or manually pumped with a pedal over gas pedal or to the left to a rubber bag reservoir under hood! Never enough capacity on early anything and base model cars none of those things not even radio, back up lights. Shoot, I was ticked when they got rid or REAR vent windows and flow thru package shelves!


Your not surprised........... TomCrazy



dustpan
New User

Aug 22, 2014, 6:15 PM

Post #5 of 6 (2471 views)
Re: windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on Sign In

Thanks for the response.

Your right that the whole piggy back assembly isn't that expensive to replace. I found a place where I can get a replacement of the original style for about $50. I might just replace this part and see if it works the right way. But, If I do this, do you think it will most likely fix the problem. Is it possible that the problem is in the wiring before current gets to the two pumps.

I actually already bought a generic wiper fluid pump and tried by-passing the original wiper pump that is piggy backed on the wiper motor. Do you know what wires I would have to tap into with the generic replacement wiper fluid pump. I tried several ways to wire it but I got the same condition with pump always on when wipers were on and I tried wiring a couple different ways.

What does OE mean?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 23, 2014, 2:54 AM

Post #6 of 6 (2463 views)
Re: windshield wiper pump always on when wipers are on Sign In

OE = Original Equipment. Only hose for fluid/water is a rubber hose to tank where you fill it.
You can get just the pump to put on old motor or whole unit for about what you said motor and pump already together just tell the place with or without pulse I think. Plugs and wires should match exactly.


It's goofy to time just the mechanical pump such that it shut off and one last wipe after last squirt of fluid so you mush get motor to return to it's ''PARK" position and it might not want to or perhaps trucks don't on that one? It matters as they are different.


Do as you wish either way. DS mentioned the "Scotchlock" wire connectors and they are a bit hokey and may want something better if you go for an electric pump. I always did as the mechanical ones were crappy new IMO. Generic electric pump kits are only $9-15 bucks max and not invasive if you do it right. Still need to get old pump to stop or it will just click away till broken parts inside and not sure if wipers would stop properly depending.


Sorry - been a while as they quit that not long after this model year on many. Almost anyone wanted to get rid of that concept for the electric - either take knowing a bit about what you are looking at and wires you use.


There's something obnoxious about doing it either way just know that chopping into the OE wiring with anything like the kit type things is kinda exposing wire to problems so do that right or protect connection well from the elements also keeping in mind you may want it all as an assembly pump and motor again or only be able to get another that way so don't wreck wires this or for anything.


If you are going for whole pump and motor get ready and careful not to break the mechanisms that run the wipers as not so sure those will be easy to find now that match and it is fussy - most adjust the sweep there not just taking whole wiper off and put on in a different spot on spindle with splines may be indexed to one spot for installing wiper arm. Test before putting them on completely so you don't find wiper trying to head for the engine and not up to windshield - it can happen as I recall,


T







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