Windshield Wipers not working correctly

Tiny
JACOBCOMPTON
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Ok, thanks. I will try that when I get time and get back to you!
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Caradiodoc is one of our best

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBCOMPTON
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Yessir, I am a bit busy. I will once school gets out.
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBCOMPTON
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Do I need to push on the actual motor? Do I need to take the protective plastic off?
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Yes, push on the wiper motor. Alternatively, tug up on one of the wiper arms in your photo. That will move the linkage and motor. The most common cause of this problem is an arced ground strap on the motor, and just moving it slightly will momentarily get it going. If it does, there is a simple fix. You can almost get the motor to run temporarily by staring at it hard enough!

When the motor is easily accessible, you can also measure the voltage on the metal case of it. If there is any voltage when the wiper switch is on, that ground strap needs to be repaired.

If moving the motor doesn't work, we'll need to do some voltage measurements to solve the problem.
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCARCH1
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  • JEEP CHEROKEE
1985 Cherokee/Pioneer 2.5l engine, 4x4, A/C apx 230, 00 miles.
I took my vehicle into the shop about a month ago to have the tilt steering wheel tightened up as it was loose. The windshield wipers worked perfectly fine and were not an issue. Typically this is about a two hour job and approximately $50.00 as I have had it done a couple times in another locale. This time it ended up having to stay over night as after saying they could handle the repair without problem, I found out they were awaiting a "special tool" to tighten the wheel. After picking my vehicle up I found the wheel did not tilt down as far as it used to, but understood that it was now correct and can live with this. However, the front windshield wipers suddenly did not work. At first thought fuse was blown and they found two blown fuses to unknown and hazards (were not blown previously I do not believe) and replaced with no affect to wipers. They asked me to come back on another day as they indicated the wiper switch had suddenly gone bad. I returned and they were unable to repair, and admitted they did not know what was wrong, but to come back on another day and they could spend more time troubleshooting. Returned again and they stated the multi function switch had suddenly gone bad and would have to be ordered. Returned the next week and they found the multi function stick was not the problem and stated this time it was indeed the switch. Returned the following week when the switch arrived and they could work on it, to find that it was not the switch after all. They now say it is the windshield wiper Control Module, a sealed black box from up under the dash with Velcro on it and will return next week for that. Questions; does this make sense? I found a little spring like device on the floor board directly beneath the wheel, they said it went to nothing, probably just a clip from up under the dash (V type spring, Black, approximately two inches long), they indicated it is not necessary to align wheel notches on old cars, they took wheel off with an impact wrench, battery not disconnected during deep column work. Any thoughts, any chance this is what they say it is, any chance it is something else, if it is what they say it is, what could have suddenly caused it to go out when working in column? Pardon all my questions, etc. Over this, I hope you understand. Thanks a billion for any thoughts, suggestions, ideas, or info you can provide regarding this dilemma.
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GRICHARDS
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Wow! This has "The Three Stooges" written all over it. It sounds like the service folks simply do not know what is wrong. I am looking at an electrical schematic for 1984 to 1988 wiper/washer system with and without intermittent wipers. Since you mention a control module, I am going with has intermittent wipers. Okay, what does work with this system? Does the pump do its thing and pump water? Does the wiper motor actually still work? (Has the shop actually put twelve volts to the motor to see it move?). Now, the wiper circuit is powered through a circuit breaker located in the fuse panel, it will stay tripped until the short/overload is corrected, and some circuit breakers have to be reset manually. It just may be the wiper module at this point, but if the circuit breaker needs to be reset (push button in). Working in an energized steering column with metal tools does not sound too swift, easy to accidentally short wires. As for the spring, I am not a fan of finding "bonus parts" lying around after a repair job. "Hey, Moe! I am a victim of circumstance! Nyuk, Nyuk." Hope some of this helps, I am curious exactly what ends up being wrong. Please post back when you find out!
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCARCH1
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Richards,
Thanks a billion for the response. Yes it has everything (intermittent wipes) and yes, suddenly nothing at all is working on the front, pump, wipers, nothing. Signals, horn, and flashers all work fine now that fuses replaced. Wheel still does not tilt down as far as it used to. In the very beginning asked if the motor had been tested. They said yes, but often times not sure if they just say these things to answer me. I did actually see them testing the motor somehow with a simple voltage tester on Friday morning as they removed the cowl and all for the first time (I could tell). Not certain what they were testing for with the sniffer if they knew power was not getting to the motor. I am certain direct twelve volts has not been put to the motor, pretty well certain. I have the distinct feeling they are just trying things. Does that price of $120.00 for parts sound right for this wiper control module?
Thanks again.
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Sunday, February 7th, 2021 AT 9:14 AM (Merged)

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