Failed windshield wipers

[tom39]

1995 - 960 wagon

I am working on a 960 wagon that has wiper issues. I have been told by the owner that the wipers have been on the fritz for quite some time but now and seem like they are about to given up all together. She says at first the wipers had lost the low setting, then the high setting went. So now they pull the lever to get the 3 sweep spray and wash cycle to activate. Now that does not work all the time.
I am thinking that the control arm on the column has gone bad and needs to be replaced. The dealer wants $95 for a new one and before I start replacing parts that may not be the issue I thought I would get a second opinion.

Thanks for reading,

Tom G.

[billofdurham]

It certainly looks like the switch but have you checked for voltage at the motor in each position of the switch?

Bill.

[tom39]

Bill,

I did try to checked voltage at the motor and could not get a reading unless I tripped the wash cycle. What I did try and was able to do after I removed the arm was to drill out the 2 brass rivets and cleaned the internal connections with contact cleaner. That did not work so I pulled it apart again and where there was a lot of pitting in the contact areas I tried to use a scuff pad to clean it. I was able to get all positions to work but only if I pulled on the arm, ever so slightly, so that it was not making contact at the same point anymore.
In the end I ordered the arm and am hoping I am not throwing away money.

Thanks for the reply.

Tom G.