Is my wiper motor about to die?

apple

The windshield wipers on my '91 move very slowly.  I rarely drive in\ the rain so I don't often use the wipers, but when I do they move significantly slower than any other vehicle  I've owned.  Is this normal for an NA or is the wiper motor on its last legs?

Have you checked the linkage to make sure it is not binding?

Are you having any trouble with the HVAC fan speeds also? If so, maybe your ignition switch contacts are dirty and need cleaning.

here are a few tips to help.
1. Clean your winshiled with a Razer
2. clean the winsheild with Borax
3. replace the blades
This wil help. but miatas are known for Slow wipers. it is the strangest thing to me.
You can also try to clean and lube all the moving points of the system.

My wipers aren't exactly fast. I attribute it to the same problem as the slow power windows, inadequate wiring. Although I still haven't done it, there's a schematic for installing relays for the windows, tapping the 12V directly from the battery. I'd assume that a similar idea would work for the wipers, although like you, I don't generally run in the rain, and as an added precaution, I use RainX as well.

I increased the speed on my 91 by removing the motor, taking it apart, getting rid of the heavy yellow grease and replacing with Redline CV2 grease. Almost doubled the speed.
My post on quot;how toquot; is on here somewhere.

When mine kicked into slow motion mode, cleaning the grounds got them back up to speed.  Love those cheap fixes!

Mine speed up once the car warms up. Then they're alright. They're way faster than my MG or my VW Rabbit were. Go figure.

Remember this too, they're WAY faster than a 52 Chevy when it was accelerating.
(How many here will even know what I'm talking about!!)

Old grease on stuff not often used tends to get hard,,thats the first place I'd look...problem is you never think about it till its raining...Rog

put rainx on the windsheild and you almost won't need to use the wipers at all

any update RCL?


Originally Posted by patchelect
Remember this too, they're WAY faster than a 52 Chevy when it was accelerating.
(How many here will even know what I'm talking about!!)
Vacuum operated wipers! My friend had a 40 something Chevy truck (with the wuclitzer grill)with those. Also had a vent in front of the windshield you could open up to get a good breeze into the cabin. Still better than the manually operated wipers on a neighbor's old ford.