My wipers come on very slow and then just sit. I had heard there was a response to this but can't find it. 1984 240 DL.

Thanks,

Tim

One problem with the 200 series is lack of lubriction or corrosion in the aluminum wiper bushings where the shaft comes through the cowling. My friend came up with a fix by rolling the rubber boot out of the way and then drilling a 1/8 inch hole into the side of the bushing through to the shaft. Then turned on the wipers and squirted oil into the hole for a nice smooth operation. Might not be your problem but I have seen it happen on at least three older 200's.

I just replaced my wiper motor, it worked slow and was getting noisy, and then died. $90 for a rebuilt (exact same as the original), and it works great. But that might not be your problem, bu there is an idea for you.

Take out the glove compartment (very easy, philips screws only). take out the felt panel under the passenger side dash. Now, get a 10mm open end wrench. Fidn the wiper linkage, it is a stamped steel bar that runs behind the glove box, and ends with a 2 inch piece that is on a pivot at one end, and the other end of the 2 inch piece attaches to the motor. If you have any doubts, locate the motor on the firewall to see where the shaft should enter the car. So, you find this bar, and the 2 inch pieces and the 10mm bolt (a bit hard to access as in the rest position, the bar runs over the bolt. So, take out the bolt, and the wipers are free of the motor. You can getnly move the blades now from the outside and if they move freely, your motor is likely the problem, and you are now 2/3 of the way done replacing it.

Let us know the results,

Dan

This may sound stupid but make sure that your alternator is producing enough voltage. Are your headlights bright? If not start thinking about voltage.

Will

If the motor still works and they just "sit", the cabling is loose or loosening. Fix this ASAP! It is a dog = I have tried to fix this but left this to Volvo people. If you can tighten the cable system: fine, but do NOT remove it - It is a BEAR? to get back in.

Remove the glove box and look at the bases of each wiper shaft, where an elliptical? casting exists: there will be cable sin there; the system is cable driven and features nuts at the ends of cable that can be tightened. I suggest removing the wiper motor arm drive and manually moving the wipers to see where the adjusters are. Make them just snug - do NOT overtighten: they have nuts and the ends of the cable have a slot where you can fit a small screwdriver.

Good luck

Voltaire

If you hear a grinding, then the motor may have loose magnets.

The motor bearings might be binding.

The motor brushes could be worn.

The wiper arm shafts (the two sticking through the cowl) might need lubrication.

The motor ground might be rotted. You can easily fabricate a new ground wire connected under the motor leg (at the chassis) and attached to the motor. Note that the motor is electrical isolated as a result of the three rubber vibration mounts. Check this by measuring the voltage between the motor and car chassis -- with the wipers on, it shouldn't be more then 1/2 volt.

Check the fuse to be sure it's making good contact.

Could be a bad wiper switch, though they usually don't fail.

Finally, it might be a failing relay (though I've never heard of one failing this way).

Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

I would agree with Don on the magnets coming unglued from the case. I have seen this many times and have fixed many of them by taking apart and regluing the magnets. This will cause a slow operation and sometimes a grinding noise. I would use a high quality slow curing epoxy.

Good Luck

Bob Davis

Old Volvo Mechanic

Svendaswede

Tim, Check the contacts that plug into the wiper motor.It's located on the right hand side of the firewall.Could be time for a trip to the junkyard for another motor.

Good luck, Phil