QuestionQUESTION: The windshield wipers stopped working and now when you turn them on,
there is this loud noise. The wipers will move if you start them manually, but
only for half a cycle. Is it possible that this van reached the mileage point
where all settings need to be reset? Or could they have been damaged the
last time the windshield was cleaned by a gas station attendant? I'm hoping
it's something simple, of course. Thanks in advance for your response!
Maria
ANSWER: Hi Maria,
How did things work out with the wipers?
Earlier, last month, you asked me a question about that problem with your vehicle. Now I need to ask a favor of you. I am competing for the honor of being the "Expert of the Month" for December. You can help me by going the the 'thank/rate' tab below and look for the question that asks if you think I should be so-honored. If you would select the 'yes' option I would be most appreciative. Please do this before 6pm CST today, New Year's Eve when the competition ends. I wish that your Chrysler vehicle is running well and gives you good service in the New Year!
Roland
Hi Maria,
It sounds like something mechanical in the wiper module (the wiper electric motor and gears/arms that connect the motor to the pivots about which the wiper arms rotate back and forth. Only by inspecting the situation will you be able to tell what is wrong. It should be fairly obvious once you get there.
But, I would begin by lifting the arms off the glass and locking them in the detent position up in the air. That will take the tension of the blade against the glass off the system. Then try to wipers again to see what happens. Something might correct itself.
If not, then you will need to remove the wiper arms, the wide narrow panel with the air slots in it that runs across the van (called the cowl cover) and then that will give you access to the mechanism I described above for you to inspect for the cause of the binding up. There are several pages in the manual that you would do well to have and which I can xerox copy and postal mail to you for this repair. Use the "thank/rate" tab to get back to me with your postal mailing address. Use the comments section. While there, if you believe I merit a nomination as 'expert of the month, that would be appreciated.
Roland
PS I have the '95 and '98 manuals, and these are different in this area. If you would like the pages, please examine the ends of the wiper arms at the pivots to see whether there is a clip that hold the decorative cap and which when released and the cap is lifted there is a nut that holds the arm on, or instead the cap is fixed to the arm end and it would appear that you simply pull the arm directly off the pivot? That will tell me which manual applies.
PPS The voting for 'expert of the month' ends tomorrow afternoon. If you would be so kind as to find the "nomination?" area of the 'thank/rate' tab and change the 'no' to a 'yes' that would give a vote. Thanks
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: My transmission is acting up again. It works fine sometimes, but sometimes it makes a thunk noise, then the rpm goes to 3 and the transmission will not shift. I have to restart it, and most of the time it will behave. I know it's about the speed sensors, but don't understand why they work sometimes and not others. 3 years ago I had the same problem. I took it in to a local transmission specialist and they replaced the sensor for about $75.00. I took my van back there again recently and the estimate was $700. That seemed excessive and I could not afford that, so I've been hoping it would magically fix itself. Not!! What should I expect to pay for replacing both speed sensors for the transmission? Thanks in advance!
AnswerHi Maria,
Replacing two sensors is no more than twice as much as replacing one sensor as they are identically replaced. If they were fair they might even charge a little less than that.
But the question is, will that fix the problem?
When you took it to them recently did they tell you what fault code number they read from the memory of the transmission controller? That number is the starting point for diagnosing the problem. If not, look on your receipt for the service, and if not there then call and ask if they will read it again, for free if they charged you, and tell you the fault code number. Ask what it is, what it means is wrong, what are the possible repairs, and what will they be doing for the $700? Then write me back and tell me the results and we'll compare that to what the manual says are the possibilities.
Roland
PS:Once again I am competing to be "volunteer of the month". If you would be so kind as to click on the "Thank/rate the expert" button below left you will be taken to a page where it asks "Would you like to nominate the expert for volunteer of the month"? If you would clich on "Yes" I would be most appreciative.
