Ok thanks to you guys I was able to get all the recent mechanical issues resolved, but now I have what I believe to be an electrical problem. My windshield wipers won't work. I checked all my fuses and they are good. Apparently there is power going to the motor, but I have no way to test it to see if it's bad. I have a re-manufactured wiper motor and I hooked it up and it still doesn't turn.

My question is what should I check next? I know about the combo switch, but I don't have a multimeter. No way to check if it's working, I just have this circuit checker which lights up to say if the circuit is getting power.

 

buy a vom. Harbor Freight has a serviceable one for around $20. Don't buy a digital meter if you are unfamiliar with electrical stuff. Easier to misunderstand what the digi is telling you. i have a Fluke digi that i use for lots of other stuff but find the old analog meter that you can watch the arrow swing to be more useful when diddling 12v auto systems.

 

If you have voltage going to the motor and it's not working the motor must be duff...

 

Bumping for update. After studying the wiring diagram and only using a test light I have concluded the intermittent wiper amplifier is the problem. I pulled it last night and opened it up. Sure enough one of the contacts on what I am assuming is relay has blown up. Now I have been searching for a while and I don't see any of these wiper amplifiers for sale. Apparently the 200sx used the same part. Should I even try to see if there is a replacement or should I find someone who is parting out their Z? Either way it doesn't look like I will be coming across this part anytime soon.

 

Should be lots of those kicking around. Great job on the trouble shooting - that's how it's done!

 

Thread Jacking an old thread, hope you dont mind...

My wipers work for 2 turns and stop. then it stutters and pauses and stutters some more...the motor has been replaced with a re-man but it checks out after putting 12v to it, so the wiper motor is not the issue. i havent checked the combo switch, but i have a doubt its not where my problem is. but could be what you called the "wiper amplifier." where is that exactly? the FSM doesnt say anything about it, or im missing that section....a little help would be awesome!!!

does it look like this? this one is off a 200sx....after googling one for the 280zx, it looks nothing like this...

 

Look in BE (Body Electrical).

Screenprint of the 79 FSM, BE-27 (the only one I have handy at work):

 

After getting some sleep, i found the testing section in the 82' FSM(i failed to mention this earlier. im working on an 82'). EL-56 Electrical Accessories...but still a little confused where its located? behind the glove?

EDIT: FOUND IT!!! under the steering wheel next to the flasher unit. Referred to EL-124 (with the help of my girlfriend)