66 barracuda variable speed wiper question

KitCarlson said
There are a few things that result in high motor current. Amx364 has suggested the first, something that is locking the motor. The other is an internal winding short in the fields or armature. The third is an open connection on the fields. Without field current a running motor speeds up and draws excessive current. A stopped motor will not start and draws excessive current. Typically the field is two windings, one on each side of the motor, one is connected to full field the other is fed via variable resistor to vary the speed.

To complicate matters the switch arrangement reverses motor direction for park. For this to happen the polarity of the armature needs to be reversed compared to the field.

The factory service manual has information on how to test the variable motor in forward and reverse by hooking up motor connections to a battery in the correct way for forward and reverse. The manual used to be downloadable from mymopar.com. Section 8-80.

It is much work, but it is best to see if the linkages are free first, then test motor, if it works, then it is likely the switch or wiring. Bench testing is best done by removing motor.

I see that this is the path I must take. I have the Factory Service manual and read the full section on this test. Just getting it out is the tough part... I think.
This weekend I hope to remove it and I want to test the circuit breaker with a amp load tester and see what it pops off at to isolate the switch or the motor. I just cannot figure out for the life of me WHY the reverse lights are coming on when the car is driving in "DRIVE" and the wipers are "on."

The flow of electricity is B+ power to the wiper switch from the aux port on the key switch. Once it goes thru the internal circuit breaker it then stays inside the switch for wiper motor use or goes out of the switch to feed the load side of the reverse slide switch on the shifter. Once the switch is in "REV" it then follows the line out to the rev bulbs. The rev light switch is properly adjusted and working fine. No where do the wipers and the rev line touch except at the switch and even if they did and shorted it MUST go thru the rev switch before it can go out to the rear lights. It is just very bizarre.

I am going to remove the reverse lights from the system and test to see if these still come on or at least what amperage it will pop the circuit breaker. I also need to ohm check the wiring from the wiper switch to the motor. A bad ground (loose ground) would short the motor IF the contacts in the electric motor is drawing too many amps due to worn bushings (excessive load) and touching the case. I did test the linkage from the motor and it moves nice and freely. (is freely even a word?)

OK, just typing to myself. I am all up in my head over this one.
Thanks for the help!
Joe