Steering Column Repair: theft-damaged saginaw column, pontiac bonneville, jury rig

Question
Hi Doug

Somebody tried to steal my 86 Pontiac Bonneville and damaged the steering column.  Some of the housing on the left side of the column is gone and everything still works EXCEPT the wipers.  I called a parts dealer - they say a replacement wiper switch is $300!  I only paid $500 for the entire car, so that's not really an option.  No junkyards around here have cars that old (I called them all).  Is there some way to jury-rig it so the wipers are either on or off and forget the variable functionality?  My library's Chilton database is missing the wiring diags for this car. I'm a radio amateur, so, if I knew the pinouts I could probably make a rheostat that worked the same, I just can't find the wiring diagrams.  I've been googling around and you really seem to know what you're talking about - any ideas?
Regards,
Tom

Answer
Hi Tom:

If you have the part number, we may have the switch (and for a lot less than $300).  Let me know the number if you still have it.  Then, can you take a picture of the wire connector at the base of the column and either post it here or send it to me at dgan@stolenandrecovered.com?  That way I can tell you a little more about the wiper system you have.  The 4-6 wire connector will reveal to me the wiper system you have.  On your car, it should be a light gray connector just about knee high under the column...you may need to remove a panel to see it.

I'll look forward to your reply

Doug