10 replies to this topic

[Wolfgang]

Newbie with a new-for-me '92 with maybe a dumb question: my windshield wipers run at one speed only---very slow--no matter where the stalk is. Cleaning electrical contacts did not change anything. Given the rain we've been having in the NE, seems like a repair is needed. Ideas appreciated as to where to start looking, schematic not too useful.
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[Ron Alan]

Watch the speed of the motor rotations with everything connected. Then disconnect the bar from the motor and see what it looks like. If there is a big difference something to start with...

[callumhay]

I've experienced the same in my 1990. I replaced the motor with a used one from Craigslist..made a slight improvement. Lubricating all joints with WD 40 made the best improvement, but still was slower than I thought would be normal.

[Jim Drago]

The wipers on our cars generally stink. They are all too slow imo.

[Bench Racer]

The wipers on our cars generally stink They are all too slow imo

The devil made me do it, at 70 mph or 110mph.

[davew]

I have seen the pivots for the wiper arms bind. Take the entire linkage out, free-up and lubricate.

 

Also, these wipers basicly stop at about 80 mph at the straight up position. Then after a second make another sweep, stopping again at the top. The baby sized motor does not have the torque to overcome the wind resistance. Again, lubing the linkage seems to help

 

dave

[Tom Hampton]

The wipers on my 1992 were terrible. The replacement is a 1990 with 34k miles. The wipers on THAT car work pretty well (within normal expectation for a typical street car).

I haven't needed them "at speed", yet. So, I don't know if they will stick like Dave describes above.

That all sounds like it points to:

1. Under-powered original design.
2. Aging motors losing torque.
3. Wiper mechanisms binding due to bent arms, dirt, poor or no lubrication.

I also went digging over on Miata.net. Seems that the wiper arm pivots (the splined shafts in the cowl) can get clogged with dirt, and corrosion. Apparently, they can be taken apart, cleaned, and relubed with significant improvement in many cases.

[Chris Price]

Same speed with engine running or not?  If no increase with engine running maybe alternator / voltage problem?

[Bench Racer]

Might Rain X reduce the wiper to windshield friction?

[Jim Drago]

Might Rain X reduce the wiper to windshield friction?

Justin Hille gear oil does not speed them up either.. see my 2016 Majors Mid Ohio video

[Bench Racer]

Justin Hille gear oil does not speed them up either.. see my 2016 Majors Mid Ohio video

Sales hat on, try this:

 

Another Hydrophobic competitor on the market that has been making some pretty bold claims is Diamond Fusion. They claim, in tests that their product will achieve the following: Creates a surface that is 11.76 times more resistant to rock chips and pitting by reducing the co-efficient of friction on the surface of the glass – making the glass slippery.