Mine's an 83 and has been fine (knocking on zebrano
)
I use it sparingly with the intermittent button, and then only for one swipe or two if I really need it. It just sounds like it's straining somewhere.
There was a point when that square connector plug wouldn't stay put. Until I fixed it with a wiretie to stay together, I just used a squeegee at the gas station when the rear window got too dirty to stand.