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Cannot use wipers and headlights at the same time

Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 CHRYSLER CONCORDE
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 146,000 MILES
Serpentine belt recently broke. Overheated but did not stall as a result. Replaced belt seemed okay.
Since wipers are erratic, sometimes running by themselves. Cannot use wipers and headlights at same time.
When I tried to yes both, tens downshifted hard and now seems stuck in first, panky second gear.
Any thoughts?
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Friday, October 2nd, 2020 AT 6:40 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just so I understand, your belt broke and you continued to drive it but you are saying that it did not overheat due to driving it with no belt?

If this is the case, I suspect you also drained the battery slightly and the erratic behavior is due to a battery issue.

Let's have the battery checked and go from there. Here is a guide that will help with that. I suspect this will be in need of a charge or replacement and then if the issues stop that was the cause.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 4:17 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It overheated to the point of booking away the antifreeze and maxing out the gauge but, it did not stall at anytime.
Thank you for the advice about the battery, I will check it out.
Do you think my alternator may be weak as well?
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It could be so normally they will check both. However, we need to keep an eye on the coolant level if the engine overheated to the gauge getting all the way up. If it is using coolant then we may have damaged the head. That means if the coolant is getting low but you are not seeing a leak then the engine is burning it. If this doesn't happen then you are good to go from that stand point. Just because the engine doesn't shut off doesn't mean there wasn't any damage done.

Thanks for the update.
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, Great. I'm pretty confident there is no damage to the head. I've been watching the coolant closely and have not seen a keep drop. Good news for me!
Thanks very much for the advice.
I'll put it to good use!
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Meant to say no level drop.
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Sunday, October 4th, 2020 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Update. Alternator and battery seem okay. Battery holds 13v when checked cold and alternator puts out 14.3v continuously with no drop under load.
Still can't use headlights and wipers at some time.
Is it likely ifs just a bad multi-function switch on the column?
Car runs and starts normally.
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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
That is a great update. With that eliminated I would agree that the switch is most likely the issue. If it were me, I would go ahead and replace it. Attached are the instructions.
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Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Great. Thanks! I pulled it yesterday to get a good look at it. Sure, contacts look ok but, it's 25 years old! It's a bit pricey but I'm replacing it anyway.
Thanks again!
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Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 AT 4:49 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You may try a salvage yard. Clearly we don't know the condition but the price may make it worth while and you are getting an OEM part. Yours lasted 25 years so it may get some good life out of it.
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Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Good advice. Thanks. I have a good auto recycler right near by. I'll check them out.
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Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Awesome. Let us know how it turns out. Thanks.
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Thursday, October 8th, 2020 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
TJR089
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Will do. Thanks again.
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Thursday, October 8th, 2020 AT 7:03 PM

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