
Turn off and remove the key when the first intermittent cycle occurs. Disconnect the wiper from the motor, loosen the screw on the rotating disk to detach it from the motor shaft, and repeatedly adjust the rotating disk. Adjust the wiper position without moving the motor shaft. Once adjusted, tighten the screws on the wiper motor shaft and the connecting rod. Turn the key to switch off the wiper, which should then reset to the lowest point on the windshield. Job completed.

I've been repairing Buick models for years, and resetting the wipers on older GL8s really depends on the specific vehicle condition. The usual method is to first get the wipers moving to the midpoint - timing is crucial here: turn the key to the ON position without starting the engine, activate the wiper switch to get them moving, and when the arms slide to the middle of the windshield, immediately turn off both the wiper switch and ignition. This allows manual adjustment of the wiper arm position - gently push it back to its initial position flush with the bottom edge of the windshield. Then restore power and test the wipers. The critical part is mastering the power-off timing - cutting power too early leaves wipers stuck mid-travel, too late and they return to original position. When manually repositioning the arms, apply gentle pressure - no brute force as the wiper linkage plastic components are brittle. After reset, always perform a water spray test to verify smooth return of the wiper arms.

Last year, I helped my friend with his GL8 on this. Let me briefly explain the process. Sit in the car without starting the engine, turn the key to the ignition-on position, then activate the wiper switch to make the blades move. When they reach the middle area of the windshield, quickly turn off the switch and then turn off the ignition. The wipers will then stay in the middle of the glass. Gently pull both wiper arms down to the bottom and lay them flat against the edge of the glass. Turn the ignition back on and test the wipers to ensure they reset properly. The key to the whole process is timing—if it doesn’t work, try a couple more times. When manually adjusting the position, avoid using too much force as the plastic linkage can easily deform. When positioned correctly, you’ll feel the clips naturally fit against the glass.

There are three key points to address this issue: positioning, power disconnection, and manual reset. Start the vehicle to power on but do not ignite, activate the wiper switch to let the wiper arm operate, wait until the wiper blade moves to the central area of the windshield, then immediately turn off the wiper switch and cut off the power. At this point, the wiper arm can be freely adjusted; carefully push it back to the starting position at the bottom of the windshield. After resetting, restart and test whether the operating range is normal. Pay special attention to the precision of the power disconnection moment, and avoid directly manipulating the wiper while it's operating, as this can easily damage the gearbox.


