81 windshield wipers
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81 windshield wipers
Okay I got most of my problems fixed but my windshield wipers will turn on out of no where when im driving. With the switch off, I noticed they will stop if I step on the brake. They turn off every time. What's the problem?
Last edited by MattCC81; Mar 10, 2013 at 10:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 141
From: Green Valley Arizona
The short answer is wiring problems.
Have not been following your story, so do not know the history, but somewhere a wire has been spliced into or chewed-up wires are shorting together.
Time to take dash apart and trace wiring.
Have not been following your story, so do not know the history, but somewhere a wire has been spliced into or chewed-up wires are shorting together.
Time to take dash apart and trace wiring.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
If they stop when you hit the brake that would suggest the wires to the brake light switch on the pedal have some thing to do with it. Start by following those wires. Its trial and error. Sounds like a short.
Thread Starter
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I'm going to look at the wiring tomorrow, not sure if this is a little more clear or not..
Had the car for 2 years and it just started doing it recently. You have to drive about 5 minutes before it even randomly turns on, It wipes 3 times, turns off for a bit then just turns on and doesn't stop really, the only way to stop it is to step on the brake but it will just turn back on.
Could vacuum make this happen because I have removed many vacuum lines from the car. No cruise control,pop up headlights(I have fitted headlights), no ac or heater.
Had the car for 2 years and it just started doing it recently. You have to drive about 5 minutes before it even randomly turns on, It wipes 3 times, turns off for a bit then just turns on and doesn't stop really, the only way to stop it is to step on the brake but it will just turn back on.
Could vacuum make this happen because I have removed many vacuum lines from the car. No cruise control,pop up headlights(I have fitted headlights), no ac or heater.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,322
Likes: 141
From: Green Valley Arizona
The days of vacuum operated wipers are long gone by '81...so no vacuum is not the problem or answer.
There is likely a broken wire under the steering column that moving the brake pedal or your foot moving some wires is breaking (no pun intended) the circuit path.
Need to take a really good look at the wiring under the dash around the brake pedal.
There is likely a broken wire under the steering column that moving the brake pedal or your foot moving some wires is breaking (no pun intended) the circuit path.
Need to take a really good look at the wiring under the dash around the brake pedal.
Thread Starter
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I wasn't able to get to it as soon as I planned but I did get a look under the dash and found these 2 wires not connected..(I know this is alot to ask with just a picture) but before I start taking everything out I want to see if this is causing the problem. In the picture there is a white and orange wire which I can't really chase because of the tight fit. I'm not that good with electrical 
, hence a hesitation in taking everything apart. Well any help would be appreciated.
, hence a hesitation in taking everything apart. Well any help would be appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I wasn't able to get to it as soon as I planned but I did get a look under the dash and found these 2 wires not connected..(I know this is alot to ask with just a picture) but before I start taking everything out I want to see if this is causing the problem. In the picture there is a white and orange wire which I can't really chase because of the tight fit. I'm not that good with electrical , hence a hesitation in taking everything apart. Well any help would be appreciated.
, hence a hesitation in taking everything apart. Well any help would be appreciated.I think you may have a bubba fix somewhere. It will be tough to help you with out seeing the car. But will try. Lets start at step one.
Pull the wiper fuse. See if the wipers come on with the fuse out. Lets see if power has be routed to the switch some other way. If it stops the wipers from coming on your problem could be in the switch or delay/pulse module.
The delay/pulse module could be bad. Its located in the storage compartment behind the passenger seat. This module will turn on the wipers even if the switch is on off. Unplug the module and put the fuse back in and see if the wipers come on again when you drive it.
Let me know the out come of the above tests.
Jim
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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Bad pun ment major function.
I mean does it control the wipers when it wipes 3 times because I do not have the windshield wiper fluid hooked up. So if that's what the relay controls then I can leave it unplugged, but if it controls the wipers being turned on or the speed of the wipers I need it.
Anyways I got a picture of what I see in the compartment box, Something had been messed with or something electrical tape all around it, anyways what do I unplug
I mean does it control the wipers when it wipes 3 times because I do not have the windshield wiper fluid hooked up. So if that's what the relay controls then I can leave it unplugged, but if it controls the wipers being turned on or the speed of the wipers I need it.
Anyways I got a picture of what I see in the compartment box, Something had been messed with or something electrical tape all around it, anyways what do I unplug
Last edited by MattCC81; Mar 11, 2013 at 02:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 128
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From: Sherwood Ar
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'19
Not that it has anything to do with your issue, but...
My intermittents didn't work. Only on and off. The washer function also didn't work. When I replaced the washer pump the intermittents also began working.
My intermittents didn't work. Only on and off. The washer function also didn't work. When I replaced the washer pump the intermittents also began working.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Bad pun ment major function.
I mean does it control the wipers when it wipes 3 times because I do not have the windshield wiper fluid hooked up. So if that's what the relay controls then I can leave it unplugged, but if it controls the wipers being turned on or the speed of the wipers I need it.
Anyways I got a picture of what I see in the compartment box, Something had been messed with or something electrical tape all around it, anyways what do I unplug
I mean does it control the wipers when it wipes 3 times because I do not have the windshield wiper fluid hooked up. So if that's what the relay controls then I can leave it unplugged, but if it controls the wipers being turned on or the speed of the wipers I need it.
Anyways I got a picture of what I see in the compartment box, Something had been messed with or something electrical tape all around it, anyways what do I unplug
Play around with it. Turn the car on. Twist it or shake it. See if the wipers go on.
I'm not sure if the wipers will work with it unplugged. They may though. Only way to tell is by unplugging it.
Take the tape off and see if the box splits open. Look for burn marks or a bubba fix.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
First though if its not attached to something its not grounded, mount it to see if grounding helps. It should attach beside some of those other relays. See the metal flange on the relay....should have two holes that line up with two holes beside the power antenna relay or some sort of connection point....I believe the unit grounds through that metal.
Failing that. I'm a little afraid to tell you how to get around the module. But if I am reading the diagram correctly...if you unplug the connector and jump the purple to the gray it should by pass the module and just the switch should work. The white powers the washer pump but lay off that for now. What ever you chose to do, don't hold me responsible....personally I would order a new module and switch for the couple of hundred bucks.
Jim
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I live in South Texas so I do not see much weather. As long as they turn on just in case of that slight chance. I don't plan on putting the windshield fluid back together or needed that 3 swipe thing. So if anyone has bypassed the relay and can confirm the purple and grey I'm willing to do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
See the purple and gray going in to the delay/pulse module? That should bypass the other parts. Anyone else wish to comment? Its a bit confusing isn't it?
Last edited by jdp6000; Mar 11, 2013 at 05:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 258
Likes: 2
From: Boise ID
Been there, done that
I have bypassed my nonfunctional delay module. I can't confirm the wire colors as I am on the other side of the planet from my car right now, but I just jumpered 2 of them.
First I used a paperclip shoved into the connectors of the plug (DON"T DO THIS!!) It worked, but I found out that the paper clip was not the best conductor as it got REALLY hot during operation.
Eventually I used a modified spade connector - works much better as it doesn't get hot. There are probably better jumpers still, but I'm lazy.
I now have slow, fast and one swipe (by pushing down on the switch) wipers. I do not have my washer working at this time (It's on the list.) I also eventually plan to try and refurb the module if I can - haven't looked at it for a while so can't remember if it's got any special parts. If I can save a hundred bucks, I will (I'm lazy and cheap!).
If you want I can check my wires when I get home, but I just followed the same picture as posted above & checked with a voltmeter before powering it up.
Have fun & good luck!!
Dan
First I used a paperclip shoved into the connectors of the plug (DON"T DO THIS!!) It worked, but I found out that the paper clip was not the best conductor as it got REALLY hot during operation.
Eventually I used a modified spade connector - works much better as it doesn't get hot. There are probably better jumpers still, but I'm lazy.
I now have slow, fast and one swipe (by pushing down on the switch) wipers. I do not have my washer working at this time (It's on the list.) I also eventually plan to try and refurb the module if I can - haven't looked at it for a while so can't remember if it's got any special parts. If I can save a hundred bucks, I will (I'm lazy and cheap!).
If you want I can check my wires when I get home, but I just followed the same picture as posted above & checked with a voltmeter before powering it up.
Have fun & good luck!!
Dan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 121
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I have bypassed my nonfunctional delay module. I can't confirm the wire colors as I am on the other side of the planet from my car right now, but I just jumpered 2 of them.
First I used a paperclip shoved into the connectors of the plug (DON"T DO THIS!!) It worked, but I found out that the paper clip was not the best conductor as it got REALLY hot during operation.
Eventually I used a modified spade connector - works much better as it doesn't get hot. There are probably better jumpers still, but I'm lazy.
I now have slow, fast and one swipe (by pushing down on the switch) wipers. I do not have my washer working at this time (It's on the list.) I also eventually plan to try and refurb the module if I can - haven't looked at it for a while so can't remember if it's got any special parts. If I can save a hundred bucks, I will (I'm lazy and cheap!).
If you want I can check my wires when I get home, but I just followed the same picture as posted above & checked with a voltmeter before powering it up.
Have fun & good luck!!
Dan
First I used a paperclip shoved into the connectors of the plug (DON"T DO THIS!!) It worked, but I found out that the paper clip was not the best conductor as it got REALLY hot during operation.
Eventually I used a modified spade connector - works much better as it doesn't get hot. There are probably better jumpers still, but I'm lazy.
I now have slow, fast and one swipe (by pushing down on the switch) wipers. I do not have my washer working at this time (It's on the list.) I also eventually plan to try and refurb the module if I can - haven't looked at it for a while so can't remember if it's got any special parts. If I can save a hundred bucks, I will (I'm lazy and cheap!).
If you want I can check my wires when I get home, but I just followed the same picture as posted above & checked with a voltmeter before powering it up.
Have fun & good luck!!
Dan
It would be much appreciated
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
For you guys that have wonky delay modules, there is finally a replacement being made.
http://www.lectriclimited.com/new_products.htm
http://www.lectriclimited.com/new_products.htm