Chrysler Repair: wipers, control switch, circuit breaker

Question
HI
I HAVE A 1997 CARAVAN THAT THE WIPERS INTERMITANLY STOP WORKING...ANY IDEAS


Answer
Hi Russell,
I would check fuse #9 in the power distribution center under the hood (30 amp) to make sure that it is patent and doesn't have a fine crack in the internal wire that might open or close spontaneously. Then when the wipers fail, I would check whether the "wiper on" relay located in the same box as the fuse, under the hood, is clicking when someone turns the wipers to low or high when the ignition is "on". It it doesn't then that relay may be defective or the wiper control switch is defective and you would need to check the wires from the switch to the relay to see if voltage is arriving there. If it clicks, see if the "wiper high/low" relay clicks too when the switch is turned back and forth between those two positions. If that relay doesn't click then the points internal to the "wiper on" relay may be corroded and so that would be another reason to replace it, or the high/low relay could have failed. Again, a test for voltage at the relays will be necessary.
But if both relays click reliably, then it could be that the motor itself is intermittant so you will need to go to the motor and verify that the voltage is coming on either the red/yellow or the brown/white wire when you ask for the hi or lo. There appears to be a circuit breaker between the motor and body ground that could also be flakey so it that were accessible I would check that continuity. I don't  see any wire colors assigned so it may be built-in to the motor body.
I can xerox the wiring diagram and snail mail it to you if you would like to do this tracing of the wires.
Roland