QuestionHi Roland,
I inherited my dad's 1988 Chrysler New Yorker when he passed away.
When I went to use it the last time, the windshield wipers would not work (they worked fine before).
I hear a clicking sound from that electronic box on the passenger inside wheel well, and all the chimes etc. work fine too. When I set it on delay, the click (in that box) delays like it should but no wiper motor action. The fuse is fine. The wiper motor is the only thing not working on the car.
I replaced the wiper motor, but still the wiper motor does not work.
What could be causing this?
Is the only cause that stupid electronic box?
The dealer didn't seem to know much when I told them where the box was and said the only thing they had listed was a body control module and that it was about $ 300.00!
Is there any other part of item I should look at for the problem?
The car has low miles and has always been kept up like new.
Thanks for your help
Mark
AnswerHi Mark,
The fact that the motor doesn't run on any position fortunately lets the body computer off the hook. It comes into play only for the delay positions of the switch.
I suspect the wiper switch or the wiring to it has an open. We'll assume the motor is o.k.
Beginning at fuse #18, I would check for voltage to be present when you have the ignition switch in the 'run' position. Check both sides of the fuse clips with a voltmeter measuring for 12V compared to ground (any shiney metal surface of the body structure nearby). Then verify that you have it on dark blue wire at the plug-in of the motor proper (12V should be there if the wipers are "off" even, because that is the 'parking' voltage source). Then put the wiper switch in low or high speed and measure for 12V at the brown trace wire or the red/yellow wire at the plug-in of the motor, respectively. If you have 12V at those points, then the motor should run unless you have a poor ground connection of the motor mount to the body surface at the point of attachment (make sure the motor and body surfaces are free of paint and that nuts and bolts are tight). If you don't get the voltage at either point, then look for a 25 pin, multi-plugin connector near the base of the steering column into which all the many wires from the column are plugged. In the middle of that array of plugs look for a 8-wire plug (but only 7 wires used) that carries all the wires to and from the wiper switch. Make sure that it is plugged in tightly (in fact do this check BEFORE you do anything else, because if that plug were loose, that would explain everything!) Then if that isn't the answer unplug the 8-wire plug and make sure the 12V is appearing at the pin of the 25 multi-pin block into which the blue wire of the 8-wire plug from the switch connects, when the ignition switch is at 'run'. If it is,then we need to check the switch proper. Set the switch in low speed or high speed and verify that you have continuity (O ohms resistance) between the dark blue wire's pin and the brown trace wires pin on low, and between the dark blue wire's pin and red/yellow wire's pin on high, both as measured at the disconnected 8-wire plug proper. This will test whether the internal switch contacts of the switch are patent or if not that the switch is bad or a wire from the plug to the switch is open.
I suspect that you may find that 8 wire plug is loose from its plug-in point, but it could be the switch itself is bad. Once you determine which and fix it, I think you will get the full range of options back on you wipers.
If you would like a copy of the wiring diagram for the circuit let me know and I'll xerox and snail mail you a copy from my '89 wiring diagrams (which are no doubt identical to the '88 you have there.)
I have an '89 LeBaron Coupe, which I too inherited from my Dad after he died in '93. So I have a real soft spot for it!
Roland
