Wipers run backwards

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Paul Rose

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Location
Alabama
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K-20
Engine Size
383
Rebuilt 85 K20- with painless wiring harness. All works as it's supposed to even delay but wipers actually run backwards. When shut off they park in the up position. I suspect a wiring issue but I can't find a definitive diagram of wiring. Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

Paul
 

Itali83

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2015
Posts
575
Reaction score
1,075
Location
Maine
First Name
Ben
Truck Year
1982, 1987, 1987
Truck Model
K10, 'burban C10, Jimmy
Engine Size
350, 6.2, 350
Did you literally just replace the wiring and not touch ANYTHING with the wiper motor or linkage? You should have a constant 12volt ignition power to the motor for the park circuit. I forget which wire it is but there’s only a few wires at the motor.

Ben.
 

gmbellew

Full Access Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Posts
1,035
Reaction score
1,020
Location
Kansas city
First Name
glen
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
suburban 1500
Engine Size
350
there is a park switch in the motor assembly I think. it may be something with the linkage and the switch.
 

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
11,600
Reaction score
53,648
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
Sounds like the linkage is out of sync. Used to have that on wagon rear wipers all the time.
 

Scott91370

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Posts
924
Reaction score
899
Location
Burleson, Tx
First Name
Scott
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
Sierra1500
Engine Size
350

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
28,956
Reaction score
23,466
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454

Paul Rose

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Location
Alabama
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K-20
Engine Size
383
Did you literally just replace the wiring and not touch ANYTHING with the wiper motor or linkage? You should have a constant 12volt ignition power to the motor for the park circuit. I forget which wire it is but there’s only a few wires at the motor.

Ben.

Ben,
We had it all apart, linkage and all. Seems like the linkage may be 180 degrees out? Changing the wiring on the motor shouldn't make it run a different direction I wouldn't think. But then I've been wrong before!!!

Paul
 

Itali83

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2015
Posts
575
Reaction score
1,075
Location
Maine
First Name
Ben
Truck Year
1982, 1987, 1987
Truck Model
K10, 'burban C10, Jimmy
Engine Size
350, 6.2, 350
Ok that’s what I wanted to know. Yes for sure your linkage is out of time. You need to make sure the motor is in the park position, the. Set the linkage to get the wipers in the correct park position. That’ll get things straightened out for ya.


Ben
 

Paul Rose

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Location
Alabama
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K-20
Engine Size
383
Ok that’s what I wanted to know. Yes for sure your linkage is out of time. You need to make sure the motor is in the park position, the. Set the linkage to get the wipers in the correct park position. That’ll get things straightened out for ya.


Ben
Thanks Ben!!!
 

RecklessWOT

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Posts
2,548
Reaction score
4,744
Location
New Hampshire
First Name
Kevin
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V10 Suburban Silverado
Engine Size
350 TBI
https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/1973-1991-wiring-manuals.14498/

Sounds to me like someone reinstalled the linkage 180 degrees out or the motor was 180 out when it was installed.
Remove the motor, put the wipers in the down position and install the motor.

Pull wipers off. Run motor. Turn motor off. Reinstall wipers in correct position. Drink beer.

These both sound like solid advice to me (especially the one with beer). Can't imagine how it would be a wiring issue
 
Last edited:

Squirrely Brother

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2018
Posts
105
Reaction score
47
Location
Dallas, TX
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
I just had the same issue when I replaced my wiper motor. Your linkage for whatever reason is pointing towards the drivers door. Remove the motor, move the linkage arm connector to orientate to the passengers door, have your wipers in the down position, secure all the hardware and you’ll be good to go. I thought I bought a defective motor, tried re-orientating the wipers, which was a pain in in the ass, but no it was an easy linkage fix. You should be able to fix it in less than 5 minutes. Super easy to do.
 

CRM

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Posts
1,188
Reaction score
2,775
Location
Pasco, Washington
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K2500
Engine Size
350 CI
So the wipers don't run backwards, they stop backwards (JK).......linkage as others have said.
 

Paul Rose

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Location
Alabama
First Name
Paul
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K-20
Engine Size
383
The linkage was the problem. All works as it's supposed to after re-orienting it. Thanks for all the help!!

Paul
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,851
Posts
903,510
Members
33,365
Latest member
rossivey
Top