A wiper motor control using a load sense resistor to monitor conditions confronting the wiper operation. The control can detect if the wiper is frozen to the window, moving too slowly, moving too quickly, etc. The power to the motor is then adjusted to achieve a desired speed, or, otherwise adjusted, based upon the detected conditions. Further, the direction of the motor may be reversed based upon the detected conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the load sense resistor is provided by a defroster filament strip. Alternatively, a temperature sensor may be used to detect the conditions confronting the wiper operation.