Wipers - Park At Incorrect Location: Overview
File In Section: 8 - Chassis/Body ElectricalBulletin No.: 73-82-05A
Date: April, 1998
Subject:
Windshield Wiper Arms/Blades Park at Incorrect Location
(Replace Wiper Motor Crank Arm Assembly, Install Deflector and Seal Crank Arm Cover)
Models:
1997-98 Buick Century, Regal
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1997-98 Pontiac Grand Prix
This bulletin is being revised to add the 1998 model year, the Oldsmobile Intrigue, additional part numbers, revised repair procedures and labor times. Please discard
Corporate Bulletin Number 73-82-05 (Section 8 - Chassis/Body Electrical)
Condition
Some owners may comment that the windshield wiper arms or blades intermittently stop (park) in a vertical position, rather than at the base of the windshield, when the wiper switch is placed in the "OFF" position. They may comment that the condition usually occurs after a heavy rain or car wash followed by cold (below freezing) temperatures.
Cause
During heavy rains or car washing environments, water entering the cowl (plenum) through the leaf screen may accumulate and later freeze on the depressed park actuator arm which is located on the bottom side of the wiper motor crank arm. If this occurs, the actuator arm may not come in contact with the metal tab on the wiper motor mounting bracket when the wiper switch is turned off, resulting in the arms parking in a vertical position.
Correction
To correct this condition, replace the wiper motor crank arm with P/N 12367235 and install water deflector P/N 10411068. Also, additional sealing material must be added to the crank arm cover to improve the deflection and channeling of the water away from the crank arm assembly.
Use the following service procedure when replacing the crank arm assembly, installing the new water deflector/retainer and to improve the sealing of the crank arm cover.
Important:
Some vehicles may have already had the wiper motor crank arm replaced. These vehicles can be identified by the barrier material already applied over the hole in the crank arm cover. See Figure 3. If the crank arm cover already has the barrier material applied, then it is only necessary to install the new water deflector. Do not replace the crank arm assembly on those vehicles. If there isn't any barrier material already applied over the hole in the crank arm cover, then the crank arm assembly must be replaced and the new water deflector installed.
Parts Information
P/N Description
12367235 Wiper Motor Crank Arm Assembly
Deflector, Wiper Motor Water
10411068 (includes push-in retainer)
RTV Silicone Rubber Sealant
12345739 (3.35 oz tube)
11515174 Barrier Material
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Labor
Operation Description Time
N3595 Windshield Wiper Motor 0.4 hr
Crank Arm Assembly
For Drilling Hole in Wiper
Add Motor Bracket and 0.1 hr.
Installing New Wiper
Motor Water Deflector
Deflector, Windshield
Wiper Motor Water -
N3598 Install/Replace (Labor 0.3 hr.
time includes for drilling
hole in wiper motor
bracket as necessary)