Does anyone know why the windshield wipers on my '92 park haphazardly?

If you adjust them where they don't park halfway up the windshield, they strike the body, A pillar, and/or cowl and trim.

Is it a wiper motor with too much slack? Or is it the linkage?

 

check the linkage...it may be worn out..but dont rule out the wiper motor.

 

mine will do that ever once in a while.. it will be fine then slap slap slap.

 

Both my '87 Pioneer and '92 Laredo do it.

The Laredo is a little worse.

 

do you have intermittent wipers? if you do the wipers are controlled
by a box under the dash 3 bucks at the JY,

 

x2. The linkage has plastic bushings in it that wear out they are cheap at pretty much any parts store and fairly easy to replace. Remove wiper arms, remove screws that hold cowl panel on, remove linkage, change bushings, reinstall. My '92 was doing the same thing you described and I just left it until the bushings got so bad the linkage fell apart. Not good when its pouring out. I replaced the bushings and they worked perfect. Adjust them to where you want them to be when they're down and they stay there every time.

 

Mine does this also. But since mine was recently repaint (just before I got it) I figured they put the arms on wrong. But now that I think about it the linkage makes more sense as there is play in the movement of the arms. When they are off, I can move the wiper arm up and down the windshield. Now I have to figure out how to get the wipers arms off. Sounds easy.. but they arent like the old ones I am use to and havent bother messing with them yet... so whats the trick?

 

mine does the same thing i got a thin piece of metal and stuck in over there trim so it want scratch i paint. mine was so bad it knocked a chip of paint off before i put the piece on metal on

 

Bend the arm away from the windshield, and pry the little tab out that is at the base of the arm (where is slides over the shaft) and then the arm should pull right off

 

I have the same issue in my '93. I haven't gotten around to replacing the bushings yet, but a good coat of Rain-X really helps minimize the problem, as it makes the wipers glide easier across the windshield and keeps the bushings from binding as much.

Not a permanent fix, but it keeps it from clanging around as much until you get around to fixing it. Next weekend, I swear...! <grin>

 

I don't worry about it so much if its not raining........

 

mine does the same thing. i'll have to check out that bushing issue tomorrow.