wiper probs

[jekyl]

My wipers have been used quite a bit lately but now they are giving me trouble.
The last time i used them was for about an hour in heavy rain. Then they just stopped, in the centre.
The motor seems to having problems getting the blade over the centre. It stopped in the middle and then some time later the breaker cut in and it wouldn't work again until i had reset the breaker.
Now i notice without water it will only run 2or 3 strokes then stop in the middle. If i turn it off and lift the blade it returns to the side position.
Anyone had these issues and am i looking at a sick motor if so how much?

We have checked all connections and evrything there is fine.

 

[fishingFINattic]

I developed the same problem with mine this season -
One other note, mine used to stop at a "Rest" position off to the side out of view, now when I turn it off, it stops right were it is.
Is this the same with yours?
Tim

 

[seasick]

The breaker is popping due to excessive current drain. The motor is loaded too much.
Possible causes: Motor is shot
Gears or linkage have too much drag

There is a small chance that something is wrong with the wiper blade itself. perhaps is was contaminated with something sticky or something that degraded the rubber and made it sticky. You can check for wiper drag by running the wiper while holding the blade off the glass. (whatch your fingers) Add a liitle reisistance and see if the motor stops. If it doesn't, its the blade itself.

My first guess is that the motor is shot.

 

[jekyl]

Thanks for the suggestions. A friend who is a elect tech. seems to think there is too much drag (pressure) on the blade. I will try your ideas. The boat had very little use before I bought it and we almost never use the wipers.
I wonder how long you could expect the motor to last and how much they are to replace?

 

[seasick]

If it is tight, try oiling the shaft where it goes through the deck to the motor. perhaps it it corroded and binding . I can't tell you how much the motor is. If you get it through the Grady dealer, it's going to be expensive. If you can determine the make and model, you will probably find it for less on the web. There are generic replacement models but I would see fisrt if there is a exact replacement.

 

[georgemjr]

I have the same problem with my port side. I can run the wiper on the starboard, but blow the breaker if I run the port. I also had the same problem with my last grady. It is probably the motor, which runs between $100 and $150 (available online). I am waiting for the spring and am going to remove it and try lubing everything I can find while attempting to free it up and running it off of a seperate battery on the bench. If that doesn't work, it'll be a new one.

 

[jekyl]

Thanks for the help guys....... will try everything.

 

[Tom H]

So where is the port side wiper ment to rest- to the left or the right. Ever since I got my boat it was to the right and then on a trip the other day it started stopping to the left (much less intrusive on my view) but now its back to the right. Someone mentioned lubing the shaft, is this recommended? If lube gets down there , then maybe water does and there's no drain behind- one of mine started momentarially working on it's own when switched off one day. toggled the switch a few times and it stopped.
Does everybodies side windows leak?

 

[gradyfish22]

From my expereince on my older Grady, the added drag pressure will kill the motor or shut it down, this is likely the cause. Regardless, these type of motors only last 2-3 seasons typically, any longer and your lucky. Mine broke during the season and most places near me do not carry it stock so I had to order it and will replace it in the spring. In the mean time, apply rainx or some type of water repeleant for windows for the time being, it will only last about 2 weeks due to the salt water eating at it, but it sheds the water off the windsheidl really well and makes seeing a lot easier. Not the best fix but better then nothing.