OK, for some reason my windshield wipers will swipe (once) across the windshield when I make a turn (any direction). Does this both when my turn signal is activated and not. Any ideas what to check for this? I'm really hoping it doesn't involve removing the steering column....

 

The problem in in the signal lever. You can replace it for a few bucks on ebay.
My 85 had the same problem and drove me crazy. You don't even have to take the wheel off if you have something good to fish the wires through the colum with. I used an old speedommiter (SP) cable.

 

Excellent!
I know that the lever pulls off (my mechanic showed me)....so I would just need to disconnect the battery and attach the new lever to the wires coming out of the column, then pop it back in?

Thanks for the help, it's been doing it consistently and driving me nuts!!

 

Careful removing and replacing the wires down thw column. Piece of cake, good luck!

 

We are heading into the winter season when visibility thru the windshield is more important than ever with decreased daylight and the challenges of headlight glare and frozen precipitation. Does your windshield have a repairable star or rock impact at this time? While not a certainty, the odds are that that the extremes of cold air temperatures from nature and the hot temperatures of your windshield hot defroster will result in a replacement due to cracking rather than a possibly free / inexpensive auto glass repair. Many insurance Companies pay 100% of an auto glass repair even when you have a deductible. If the defect results in a replacement of your glass, guess what, no free ride- your own your own paying the full deductible. Do the smart thing before the winter season really sets in – Get that auto glass repair done while the expense is minimal or non-existent!