Driver's side wiper problems

How-to's and repair secrets for your 4WD can be found here. Have a question? Ask it in here!
Post Reply
Bucephala
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:52 pm
My tercel:: 1987 SR5 4WD
Location: Coquille, Oregon

Driver's side wiper problems

Post by Bucephala »

Hi all, new here. Just bought an '87 Tercel 4WD SR5 a few months ago. Last Friday the driver's side windshield wiper stopped functioning, the passenger side wiper still works normally but the driver's side only twitches each time it should be changing directions. If I raise it just off of the windshield with my finger but don't put tension on it it will move on it's own power.

I'm guessing there must be a gear stripped somewhere but I'm not familiar with how the system works, would this likely be a problem in the wiper motor or perhaps somewhere else in the cowl?

Thanks,

Nate.
User avatar
dlb
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 7447
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: Driver's side wiper problems

Post by dlb »

welcome, nate. sounds like the linkage that runs from the motor to the arm is still intact so the problem might be where the wiper is bolted to the rotating stud. could be an easy fix, could be a PITA. let's hope it's the former.

it's easy to check. just pop the plastic cover off the base of the wiper arm. you can usually do this with your fingers but may need a small flat blade screw driver. once that's off, you should see a 12 mm nut that secures the wiper arm to the rotating stud. make sure this nut is done up snug, but don't overtighten it. i'm guessing the nut has just come loose so tightening it should fix it. if it doesn't, remove the 12 mm nut, wiggle the wiper arm off of the stud, and turn the wipers on to make sure the stud rotates properly. if it does, maybe the small teeth at the base of the stud are worn and need to be cleaned up. same might apply to the opposite surface on the wiper arm. take a look and let us know what you find.
Bucephala
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:52 pm
My tercel:: 1987 SR5 4WD
Location: Coquille, Oregon

Re: Driver's side wiper problems

Post by Bucephala »

Thanks, I'll take a look at it when I get home.
User avatar
Petros
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 11941
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: Driver's side wiper problems

Post by Petros »

the linkage is likely okay if you can feel the pull of the arm when you lift it off the glass. IT sounds like either the hold down nut is loose and allows the spline to slip, or the spline is striped where the arm meets the post that come out from the cowl panel (the one directly aft of the hood in front of the windshield).

Pop the plastic cover as DLB suggest and remove the cap nut that is under, and pop the arm off the spline shaft. If there is any metal shavings in the spline shaft, blow them out and try installing it and tighten the cap nut down. If the splines are damaged such that you can not get it tight enough I do not know what else you can do. Perhaps put some fine sandpaper round the post and tighten the wiper arm down over it, or try some epoxy in the joint perhaps. You may have to replace either the spine shaft or the wiper arm if you can not keep it from slipping.

Good luck.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
User avatar
marlinh
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 1586
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:15 am
My tercel:: 'Everett' Blue 87 4WD Wagon (Rocky 86, recently retired)
Location: Kootenays

Re: Driver's side wiper problems

Post by marlinh »

Usually a sharp tool like a pick will clean the splines. Just work carefully in the direction of the grooves, it usually works.
Bucephala
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2013 4:52 pm
My tercel:: 1987 SR5 4WD
Location: Coquille, Oregon

Re: Driver's side wiper problems

Post by Bucephala »

Well I got home and yanked the plastic cover off and sure enough, the shaft was rotating but the arm wasn't. I moistened some q-tips and cleaned off the gears (the arm was completely stripped but I cleaned that too). I was tempted to add some JB WELD or Loc-Tite but didn't want to make the fix too permanent just in case I had to do it again.

So I just cleaned the gears and the arm and cranked it back down and it seems to be working perfectly now. I'm a little concerned that the arm will eventually strip again and there's only so many times that I can just clean it out and crank it back down. I guess you've helped me buy a little more time to locate another wiper arm to prepare for that time.

Thanks for the help, I'm kinda looking forward to fixing this car up some and I'm sure I'll need some pointers along the way, glad I found this site to get some pointers from.

God bless,

Nate.
User avatar
dlb
Highest Ranking Member
Posts: 7447
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: Driver's side wiper problems

Post by dlb »

glad it's working again. definitely don't use jb weld or loctite, that would cause bigger problems in the future if you ever needed to remove the arm. marlinh and petros had good suggestions for cleaning the grooves with a small, sharp tool, and replacing the wiper arm if necessary so try those if it gives you grief again.
Post Reply