Wipers won't turn off

Tiny
SAMNMIK6309
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 148,000 MILES
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan, 3.8L engine. Windshield wipers came on without me turning them on and now they will not turn off, even when I shut off the engine! I was driving down the highway when my wipers just came on. I didn't turn them on. I tried to turn them off, even pulled over and turned off the engine and wipers just kept on going. I had to pull the fuse to get them to turn off.
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Thursday, November 10th, 2011 AT 6:07 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
It sounds like the wiper control relay has stuck on. To be sure lets remove the relay and test the circuit. Here is a guide and some diagrams (Below) that will help you get the fixed. It sounds like the relay just needs replacement.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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+6
Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
MISGUIDED
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
Basically the horn relay engages and won't disengage, even with the horn switch removed from the circuit (yes I took off hte steering wheel). And the windshield wipers will come on without the switch actuated. Oh and when the horn relay is removed the accessory plug (cigar lighter) in the dashboard doesn't work. Now having taken my vehicle to a mechanic he told me that the fuse box needs to be replaced and reprogrammed. Knowing that there are 2 "fuse boxes) I neeed the part numbers for the Power Distribution Center and the under the dash Junction Block purly because this man is telling me that a used, junk yard pull fuse box is $175 and a new one is $489. Those prices sound to me like he is replacing the ECM. Your thoughts?
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
No, he is not replacing the ECM. Your fuse box is what's call a "Smart" fuse box. It has numerous modules and relays incorporated into it and yes, they can be quite expensive. Most of them require vehicle specific programming. The best way to get a part number is to go to the dealer with your VIN#.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHICKERBOON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Headlights were coming on during the night and draining the battery. When we figured this out we started pulling out the headlight fuses after parking. This worked for a couple weeks. We bought a new battery and planned a six hour drive. We got a few miles down the road when the wipers would not turn off, and the seat belt light came on. Stopped at a gas station, we turned the van off and removed the key. Headlights and wipers remained on. Then suddenly they went off and a minute or so later came back on. All without prompting and vehicle still parked with engine off. I bought this just over a year ago and have had a tune up done and been faithful about oil changes etc. The maintenance required light came on months ago, but I was told that it just needed to be reset. Any help is greatly appreciated. I need to get my kids to school and sports and have little other options to do so.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check the ground in picture as well as one on left hand kick panel. Also, check parking light relay as that may be the problem. It may also be the headlight/wiper switch on steering column.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
UNDERTHUN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2005 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 135000 miles

Last night out of the blue my wipers came on at low speed. I could still change the speed of the wipers but could not stop them. I pulled over and pulled the fuze to stop them. I tried installing the fuze this morning to see if anything changed and it did not. I also had a small red dot flashing in the dash for some period of time. What might be the problem?
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+4
Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Is it an air bag light that is flashing at you
need to do a code check

check BCM codes
suspect wiper motor
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-2
Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DDO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport. At first the windshield wipers would turn on and off (even squirting the windshield). Then several hours later, headlights turned off and back on, then radio shut off and on, then headlights and horn continuously shut off and on, as if panic button had been pressed. Had to disconnect battery as shutting car off did not solve problem. Next day took it to a mechanic, van did not show any problems, he could not find anything. Next morning same problems with headlights and horn, except horn only beeped 3/4 times and shutting car off stopped lights from flashing.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ICA100
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
Electrical problem
1998 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

The lights and winshield wipers wont turn off. I have to disconnect the battery for them to go off. As soon as the battery is connected they come back o. Thanks, Leroy
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Leroy:
It sounds like there may be a short in the steering column. If the switch is bad, there still wouldn't be power because power is cut at the ignition switch when the key is off. It sounds like it may take some work to find this problem. You may want to consider a auto electric mechanic.
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MRMUDDUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2010 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
Wipers and singal lights wont shut off in a 2010 dodge grand caravan
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Sounds like you may have a bad control module. I would let the dealer check this out as the car is still under warrenty
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Wednesday, September 27th, 2017 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)

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