Location of correct fuse for windscreen wipers. Wipers stopped working.

Tiny
MIKE ALBRECHT
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 MAZDA FAMILIA
I'm trying to identify the correct fuse for the wipers on my Grandaughter's car. Bbefore she came to vivit, her boyfriend said the fuse had gone for the wipers. I've opened the fuse box and checked the 4 small fuses. They all appear to be good. None of the fuses are labelled "Wiper". How do I find the correct fuse for the wipers? Is it one of the larger ones? Everything else in the car seems to be functioning normally
Sunday, October 6th, 2013 AT 2:55 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,741 POSTS
There should be two fuse boxes. One is inside and one is under the hood. Mechanics don't have time to check fuses, at least like many people do by yanking them out and looking at them. That is way too time-consuming and inefficient. Instead, grab a test light or a voltmeter and test for voltage through the two tiny holes on the tops of the smaller fuses. For the wipers, you'll need to have the ignition switch in the "run" position, and the wiper switch in the "low" or "high" position, not in the delay mode. Now the wiper fuse will be getting 12 volts. Look with the test light for a fuse that has 12 volts on one side and 0 volts on the other.

A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.

In this case, if the bulb is bright, unplug the wiper motor. If the test light goes out, the rotary switch assembly in the gearbox is shorted and the motor will have to be replaced.
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Sunday, October 6th, 2013 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
MIKE ALBRECHT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi caradiodoc,
Many thanks for your expert advice. I was able to use a multimeter and locate the offending fuse. Much obliged for the free help.
Cheers Mike Albrecht (Hokianga New Zealand)
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Sunday, October 6th, 2013 AT 7:19 PM

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