'98 V70 5 spd non-turbo -- Rear wiper stopped mid-travel

Post by **E Showell** » 26 May 2015, 09:34

Title says it all. Rear wiper blade stuck halfway up the back window. The wiper switch appears to have no effect, but I can hear the pump motor working when I use the "clean" function, so I doubt it is a switch problem. Car has nearly 290k miles. It is likely a failed wiper motor at this mileage?

Any thoughts?

Post by **abscate** » 26 May 2015, 09:39

Search for the thread on broken wires in the right hinge. Ill put 666:1 odds on broken wire over motor.

Bumped thread with pix to top of forum

link here

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=60350

Post by **erikv11** » 26 May 2015, 10:23

I had this happen a bout 2 weeks ago. Assuming it was broken wires (good call, Steve) I first took a look at the wiper from the outside and noticed the plastic sleeve around the shaft was split open. Probably had been for some time so simple corrosion seemed plausible ... sprayed in some good penetrant and the motor started working again. Sealed it up with self-fusing silicone tape and its been fine through the recent rains. I'm sure wire fatigue is coming soon, but I'll sit tight until it shows up.

Post by **E Showell** » 26 May 2015, 10:34

Thanks, Erik. I'll see what a shot of PB Blaster accomplishes, if anything.

Post by **E Showell** » 26 May 2015, 11:16

As Erik noted, the plastic sleeve around the wiper spindle was cracked. I've got three applications of PB Blaster on it so far and no joy, but I'll give the PB Blaster a little more time to work it's magic.

I did not get into the hinge wiring because it all looks very neatly placed, wrapped and protected inside a little plastic cover and loom.

If the PB doesn't cure it, I guess it'll be time to dig into the wiring.

The S70 got new-to-me door panels this weekend. They are puckered, but way cleaner than what they replaced, plus a little time with the "Magic Eraser" -- my new favorite detailing invention -- and they look almost new. In fact, they came out so well (and the old ones were really disgusting) that my daughter no longer refers to the car as the "diseases mobile".

Post by **abscate** » 26 May 2015, 11:20

I did not get into the hinge wiring because it all looks very neatly placed, wrapped and protected inside a little plastic cover and loom.

It does, doesn't it?? And underneath that nice loom lies a bunch of broken wires...

Hope the PB works, but if not, yeah,,you have to cut open the sheath to find the problem. I had some nice pics in my thread which I can't find....

Post by **erikv11** » 26 May 2015, 13:17

I did have to help the motor to move by hand to free it up. And in fact I was able to get the wiper to limp along it s path by manual assist before I went to the penetrating oil.

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jun 2015, 03:32

Ding, ding, ding -- we have a winner. Thanks Erik. Copious amounts of PB and a little manual assist have the rear wiper functioning again. The plastic cap protecting the shaft was split in two places. The PB Blaster actually flushed out a bunch of crap onto the paper towels I used to keep it from saturating everything in sight.

Post by **erikv11** » 02 Jun 2015, 06:58

If you haven't experienced the marvel of self-fusing silicone tape, I suggest you check it out. This is a perfect application for it, it will create a nice black surface that seals up the shaft again.

Post by **E Showell** » 02 Jun 2015, 07:26

Where can I get some? Local Lowes/Home Depot?