After just having this same problem on my wifes 85, remove the top of the steering wheel cover,( two screws then lifts up) then remove and reinstall the connector on the rear of the wiper switch.

The relays only allow timed and the wiper park function. If the wipers do not move, and the fuse is OK, the staulk switch is not allowing voltage to pass.

Taking the relay out of a functioning wiper system still allows the wipers to move, just will not park and stop wherever the power was interupted.

The clue is the partial connection achieved from the wash function. Same symptom as my wifes car. Plus I found out about the wipers moving without the relay on my 83 as I swapped the relay to the wifes car and found it was not the relay. Had to be something else which led to the connector on the back of the staulk switch.

Duane

on my 1986 244GL was very frustrating. Finally I had to pull the motor, and there it was! A hole rusted clear through the hidden side of the motor housing, and who-knows-what banging around inside there ruined it.

Replaced with a part from a junker, and the most expensive stuff was the rope caulk from NAPA. Like around $13 for a 20-year (for me) supply. But that's what my friend at the Volvo dealer parts counter said their techs use.

If you do replace the motor, take the opportunity to use a vacuum crevice tool and a long wire to extract as much stuff as possible from the air channel. You can get in there through the hole the wiper motor shaft housing fits through.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

mine didn't work when the weather got cold. i thought it was a broken motor and was ready to replace it, but then I mistakenly left the stalk in the intermittent position and they suddenly went on after 15 minutes or so. even now it sometimes takes a while for the switch to make contact. i'm not sure which part you would have to check, but i'm guessing the steering column area.

julian

does the motor even turn on? if the motor works but the arms don't move, perhaps the arms have stripped teeth.
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

Bought my 240 DL just a few months ago. Everything perfect except no wipers. Found out through investigation (didn't know about BrickBoard at the time), ... that the motor needed repair. As in my case, i've learned from the board and other sources that the magnets inside the motor can detach from the housing and stick to the coil inside.
If you're inclined to inspect/try, ... simply remove the black "coffee can exterior" off the motor. Carefully try to pull it straight off. Check the magnets to ensure they are stuck to the housing. If not, ... heavy duty hypoxy at the local hardware store ($2.29)will put that magnet back in place. Took me a couple of minutes for on and off, ... plus drying time for the hypoxy, about 10 minutes. Have had no problems since and wipers work like a charm.

Just my two cents, from my personal experience.

Anu,
Open the hood and there is a black motor mounted to the firewall on the passenger's side.Check the connection of the electrical connector.Next would be to check the wiper relay under the rear lefthand side of the driver's side floor.Then again it could be the stalk switch.Can you get it to squirt washer fluid?
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philvo

fuses often "look" good when they are not actually making contact at one end or the other commonly due to corosion,if you are sure that the fuse is completing its circut(a 12 volt test light works well,or just change the fuse with a new one and make sure that it seats well in the holder).next you need to locate the wiper motor,under hood against firewall (below windshield)near passenger side hood hinge.wiper motor looks kind of like a smooth black soup can w/a fist sized piece of aluminum attached to one end of it, and held to the firewall w/ 3-bolts.there is en electrical conector there w/about 4or5 wires.with ignition switch on, and wiper switch on (2 or 3 positions from the top would be good)wiggle the electrical connector to the wiper motor,if this does no good try to check this connector to see if it recieving power(12 volt test light)at least one wire should be hot.if you have power and motor still not working,tap around the three mounting bolts w/a hammer.if this works you will probably need to clean the motor and add an alternate ground wire(the original ground strap is riveted to the motor and often fails) if the motor is working and you still have no wipers,check that the mounting nuts at the base of the wiper arms are tight and not sliping,if loose remove arm, clean splines(a large safty pin works well)add a drop of locktite and reassemble.if motor is working and problem is not wiper arms.continue inside car behind glove box ,look up the problem should be obvious.if you have power at the fuse but not at the motor,you need to remove the steering colum cover and check for power at the switch.ok fuse,motor,switch,hardwhare..........is there a relay,i dont remember i'm drawing a blank.so anyway grab a hammer bang on the motor all will be good.welcome to volvo world.