marcos77

Hi. I'm trying to help out my mother in law and she has a Chevrolet Cavalier. I believe it's a 2005. Wiper blades work great except she can't turn them off. I tried it myself. When you move it to the off position they keep going. Sometimes they do turn off but after a long time. The only other way to turn them off is to shut the vehicle off. All of the different speed settings for the wiper blades work fine. Just can't turn them off.

What could be causing this to happen and what should I replace?

Thanks.

marcos77

How can I tell if I need a new Wiper motor or a new switch?

themidiman

you would have to test both the motor and the switch, that's the only way to know. I've also seen a body control module do this to wipers, so make sure it's not that.

marcos77

How do I test both the motor and switch? I'm new to this.

EinST

There's no BCM involvement in the wiper/washer on the 2005 Cavalier. The switch is connected to the wiper motor assembly through 3 signal wires for high speed, intermediate speeds (variable voltage levels), and washer-triggered, respectively. The actual ignition voltage to power the motor comes over a separate wire from the Wiper fuse in the instrument panel fuse block. This means the wiper motor assembly contains logic/timer circuits.

If the wipers initially don't run with the switch off and the key in ACC/ON, the switch is probably good. If they run as soon as the key in turned, it's 50-50. Anyway, in order to be absolutely sure, you have to get to the motor assembly under the air inlet grille and then measure the actual signal voltages at the electrical connector.

marcos77

Thank you for the replies. I ordered and installed a new Wiper switch but the problem continues. They won't turn off. I'm guessing now the only other option would be to replace the Wiper Motor correct?

EinST

Yes, that leaves the wiper motor assembly, barring some kind of a wiring problem. After you take the electrical connector off the motor assembly, verify that there's ignition voltage on one wire only with key on, engine off, and wiper switch off.

2ndBest

Hey All,

I just did a how-to video showing how to fix this particular problem in s10s, it is a fairly common issue. The repair video may be similarly applicable to Cavaliers and can be found here: