Vehicle Problems

[mwagoner]

I have a 1996 Chevrolet k1500 (4wd, Extra cab, Z71, etc, etc) I don't drive it too often as I drive 80 miles round trip to work each day, but today I drove it and I noticed two things. I thought maybe the brain trust here could provide some insight.
1) The windshield wipers work intermitently when anything other than High speed. When on low they may move two or three times and then just stop. I can get them to resume by switching to high. Any thoughts?
2) When switching on the HVAC system all the air comes out of the driver vents. Even in defrost position. Any thoughts to a cause for this.

I have no idea if the two could be related by an electrical short or loose ground.
Thanks,

Matt

 

[hightechredneck]

mwagoner

Chevy trucks are notorius for thier wiper control modules going out. I've had to replace them in my last 3 Chevy's. It's a dealer part and attaches to the wiper motor in the engine compartment. I think GM did a recall on them so you may be able to get your dealer to replace it at no charge.

My suburban also has a problem with the vent diverters sticking. Happens mostly in humid weather and when the truck has been sitting up for a while. Mine eventually works itself free. Putting the fan on High seems to help.

good luck,

charlie

 

[jwstewar]

My '97 had a similar problem with the vents, except all of mine came out of the defrost vents. Was covered under warranty. Dealer had to order the part in, I believe mine was actually the HVAC controls themself that were bad. Worst part was it was in the middle of July/August and it seemed to be especially warm at that point and all of the A/C was coming out of the defrost!!!! Had to run on High/max A/C to feel any cool air at all. Wasn't terrible during the day, but at nights condensation sure did accumulate on the windows fast, but at least my wipers were working so I could keep my window clear /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif, unlike the time my heater core went out on my S/10 and I had to drive 25 miles with my head hanging out of the windows because I couldn't keep the windshield defogged /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif.

Jim

 

[woodmills1]

my chevy is an 86 so it doesnt have modern problems. though it sure does have switch problems. chevy trucks r great if you remember to treat them as trucks. for cars i like BMW + CHEVY PERFORMANCE. louise is here and she drives a nine second nova. switches on chevys need to be treated gingerly.

James "woody" Mills

 

[Phred]

mwagoner,

I can't help you with your problem, but maybe I can make you feel better.
My 93 F250 has an even bigger problem. Once you trun on the wippers you can't turn them off and you get one speed; super fast! /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
The only way to stop this turbo mode is to kill the engine, and its a diesel!

I suspect that my truck has the same problem as yours; the small circuit board that controls the wipers is shot. I'm told that, on my truck, this board is just behind the parking brake pedal and that if the pedal is repeatedly stomped to hard it damages the board.

Fred

 

[mwagoner]

Well I checked around on the Internet and Yes the Wiper problem seems to be a very common problem for Chevrolets. Supposedly it is the circuit board on the wiper motor and that sometimes the soldered joints come loose, sometimes it can be repaired other times it must be replaced. Last night I took the circuit board out and looked it over and saw no broken connections, so I put it back in and the wipers seem to work. I will check it again today , hopefully it will still work.
At this time of year I wish it was stuck on defrost instead. Then I could live with it until I could afford to get it fixed.
Thanks for the help.

Matt

 

[Hillbilly]

I have had bought a 1993 Chevy Work truck C-1500 4x4 since it was new,today it only has 69,000 miles on it and it has spent some time in the repair shop. I take good care of my vehicles and I have a Mercury Grand Marqui and before that a Ford LTD Crown Vic LX(I will never have another General Motor Car) And with my experience with General Motor products once I get my use out of this C-1500 4x4 my next truck will be a Ford. I will never go back to a General Motors product. IMO

 

[RichNJ]

Never seen your wiper circuit board - but in general:
Many times there will be bad solder joints on circuit boards.
1. Bad solder joint from factory.
2. Thermal expansion and contraction causes the solder to break.
3. Corrosion from water.

The fix is easy - if you know how to solder. Take a small tipped soldering iron and rosin core solder and just heat up each solder connection until melts. Add solder if needed.

Bad solder joints sometimes can not be seen without magification. SO, if in doubt just re-solder the whole board. Doesn't take longer than 5 or 10 minutes for the average board.
Also, if the board has any connectors on it - take the connector off and spray with 'tuner cleaner' (Radio Shack). This will clean the connectors and prevent further corrosion on the contacts.

 

[RobertN]

Check you vacuum hoses, in the engine compartment and under the dash. It used to be GM used LOTS of vacuum lines to run the vents and air and heat. They also used it on the 4wd(still do I think). I knew someone who had a S10 pickup, and lost 4wd after a vacuum line broke under the dash. The thing would still run, but it did not pull enough vacuum to actuate, the vacuum diapragm for the front hubs... He was stuck in mud when he found this out!

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[gws]

Chevy had a BIG recall on wipers for early to mid 90 wiper controls and motors. Might check to see if your affected. My 92 blazer had similar problems.

Gary.