As I understand the wiper arms should park when turned off (1970 Charger) but when I turn off the wipers they just stop where they are and don't go to park position.

Is this a switch problem or motor problem?

it's a 3 speed wiper motor.

Thanks

I have that problem too. 71 Challenger, variable switch, unknown if 3-spd motor or variable... if there is a difference.

Watching to see what other people say.

Pretty common to have problems with the contacts of the Park switch on the motor, requiring replacement or servicing. The switch contacts are located under the gear cover, note the clocking indexing tab location when removing cover. I’ve had NOS motors that have been sitting around for a long time that required contact cleaning to get them to park.

I've seen at times where a poor ground can cause the motor/switch not to park the wipers, check ground on the wiper motor and the sheetmetal frame behind the switch panel, adding an additional ground can't hurt...

how's the motor grounded? Through the 3 screws that hold it to the firewall?

One of those 3 mounting points, look closely.

check the blue wire (single wire heading into different part of motor) to see if it has power when the switch is off. If it does than the problem is the wiper motor not the switch. Also if it wont park and there is power at the motor, try tapping the motor lightly with a hammer and see if it makes contact and parks. Usually sign that motor needs serviced.

Thanks guys, I will look into the ground issue and check the switch. Getting the motor off is another story... I already tried once but gave up as I couldn't reach the nut that holds the motor to the linkage. My Charger has an A/C box so reaching it from the inside is a tad difficult and from engine bay as well. But I got good advice to separate the linkage and remove the motor with the last part of the linkage still attached.

3 speed motors ( or variable in 70-71 E bodies) work like this.
When you turn your dash switch to the OFF position you are actually not doing that.
The switch is reversing the rotation of the motor so that it can actuate an internal cam that will open
a contact within the motor and therefore cut power.
That is why you may notice sometimes that the motor hesitates during its sweep motion when you click your dash switch to off.
Now that does not narrow down your problem to the switch or to the motor.
Your car may just have a bad ground. IF your dash switch is not grounded or your motor is not grounded properly, then this may be your problem.
Check that all your wires are making good contacts on the bulkhead connector.
If all this checks out, try another switch before you go through all the hassle of taking out the one in the dash right now.Just make sure you ground the casing of the switch
before you do your test.
If the switch tests okay, then the park mechanism within the motor may be faulty.
The motor can be tested without taking it out of the car.
Contact me if you need further help.
Jules
450-656-5438
Check out my Youtube video about ground problems on E bodies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmP3SYjdQSQ
Please ignore the song in the background.
Nice motors there Mike.

Grounding the switch panel itself always worked for me.

Thanks Jules!

According to the wiring diagram there are 4 wires going from the switch to the motor: brown, red, dark green, dark blue.

Can you tell me which wires should have power when the switch is in park (off), speed 1, 2, 3?

I understand that the switch does not turn off the motor (when working correctly) but mine does. That either means the switch cuts all power to the motor or it is a ground issue. I doubt that it's the gear inside the motor because if it was the motor would still go on even in off position.

I dont remember without looking at the wireing pic but alot of wiper systems when turned to park reverse like Doc said and many go back and ground thru the switch in the park mode. Ron

Low Speed.

Green to ground.
Brown and Red together with power.
Nothing on Blue

Top Speed.

Green to ground.
Brown with power.
Nothing to REd
Nothing to BLue

Park.

Red to ground
Green and Brown together.
Blue with power.

Jules

Awesome!

Actually Marq that info is in the FSM.
You can also find how to test the dash switch in the FSM.
Jules