My wipers have been jacked up since an ice storm last month. When I turn them on, sometimes the driver side one goes about halfway up and then down, sometimes the passenger one goes about 1/3 way up and then down, and sometimes nothing. I've been told it may be a sensor, but I'd like to do it myself and save some $$$. Any ideas? Thanks

 

There is no sensor for this. Both arms are connected by a linkage that is driven off of the wiper motor. The motor turns an arm a full 360*, but this motion translates into the regular motion of the wipers through the linkage.

The most likely cause for your problem is stripped splines where the wiper arms attach.

Can you move the wipers manually? If so, the spines are stripped and you will want to find replacement wiper arms as well as the pivots they mount to that pass through the cowl.

 

Yes, I can still move the arms manually. I've got a good shop manual, so I'll try replacing the arms and those pivots too. Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know if I have any other questions.

 

When you have the cowl covers off, just take a peak at the linkages to make sure they are not busted up. I am certain your problem is with the splines on the pivot though.

 

Based on the schematic for the 2001 Blazer, it looks like the pivot that you mention comes with the wiper arm assembly? Is that right? I looked a couple places and couldnt find the pivot only.

http://www.gm-parts-dealer.com/parts.htm

 

Looks like the pivots are actually part of the linkage assembly.

Here is something to try first. Just try tightening up on the nuts that hold the wiper arms onto the pivots.

If that does not work, you may consider drilling and installing a roll pin into the arm/pivot. That may save you from having to replace the components.

 

OK so I've got the cowl cover off and the wiper arms off...the part that the arm actually attaches to has these splines like you said, and those are pretty much smooth at this point. Is that the "pivot" you've been talking about, one for each arm? If so, those splines are gone. How hard is it to replace those? The linkage looks ok at this point. So my questions are:

Could I replace the linkage only?
Or, do I need both arms as well, as the hole where the pivot attaches to the arm is also worn, or does that matter?

Thanks

 

OK Nevermind, after all that I tried tightening that bolt again and they work great! Thanks for all the help, I'll holler back!

 

Good deal!