QuestionQUESTION: What do you show as the fuse for the front windshield wipers (I can't tell from my manual) - they are running 90% of the time. As a temp fix, can I take out and put in if needed without crashing the computer?
Thanks,
DBF
ANSWER: Hi Dreama,
The power for the front wipers comes from fuse 19 in the power distribution box in the engine compartment. That fuse powers two relays in the same box, and those relays pass power from that fuse to the wiper motor. The on-off control of the relays is derived from a positive temperature coeffiecient (fuse-like solid state device, known as a PTC) in the fuse box that is under the dash, specifically PTC #7 (9 amp size). There is a row of 10 PTC sockets just below the 4 plugs where you will find this PTC in the 7th socket.
The body computer mediates the control of the wipers via a signal it gets from the wiper switch that in turn gets it voltage from the PTC. But removing the PTC and/or fuse 19 will not crash the computer.
Roland
PS: what do you mean by "running 90% of the time"? Do they run without being turned on, or do they only run 90% of the time when requested? If you want to answer and explain what is the problem please do not use the private option as no one else will be able to learn about this sort or problem and how to solve it. Thank you.
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QUESTION: Mr. Finston:
Sorry for not being clear - yes they run 90% of time without being turned on. I was hoping to be able to take a dash fuse out until I can get it repaired. But would need to be able to plug it back in if it ever rains again. Wasn't counting on having two fuses and one under the hood to content with.
And while I'm at it - do you think the problem is the switch? big bucks?
Thanks,
Dreama
AnswerHi Dreams,
You can remove fuse 19 alone and that will certainly stop the wipers for now. It is under the hood in the box to the left (driver's side being left) of the battery. Pulling the under dash PTC fuse #7 may or may not end the problem as surely, you would have to experiment. But you can easily remove fuse 19, I believe.
The problem could either be that the switch contacts for the 'off' position are dirty/oxidized/corroded, or that the automatic parking function switch in the wiper motor is similarly impaired.
If you want to try the switch repair yourself, begin by disconnecting the - post clamp from the battery. Then you could remove the upper and lower covers on the steering column (remove screws on the underside of the column covet), then measure the resistance between the pins 6 and 7 of the multi-function switch after having removed the multi-wire plug (the resistance should be less than 1 ohm when the switch is set to "off"). It probably is not, so then I would spray some electronic circuit cleaner into the interior of the switch to try to get the reading down to under 1 ohm (buy spray can at an electronics store). If you don't have an ohm meter, then just go ahead and spray the interior of the switch where the contacts are located after choosing some other setting than off, it will do no harm. Then reassemble, turn the switch back to off, reconnect the battery and see if that solves the problem. Just a little crud on the switch contacts could cause this problem. The park switch possibility is more challenging so let me know if this cleaning approach doesn't work and you want to try that. One other thing to try would be to remove the PTC #7 and spray its contacts as it could similarly cause an issue for that reason. You can save money by trying these fixes.
Roland
