Windsield Wipers
Thread Starter
c5-pewter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 488
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From: Coconut Creek Florida 33066
St. Jude Donor '08
Windsield Wipers
This is a first for this 2001 cpe.Failing to respond initially to the "off" switch, the wipers finally folded into their rest position in the cowl behind the hood. (That is, after very mild encouragement to get them operating in the first place). Then they would unexpectedly activate themselves again, for a half dozen wipes or so, and then rest briefly near the bottom of the windshield, before executing a few more wipes. After some more of this non-sense they would again briefly come to rest in the cowl. Then, after a short rest there, they would start the cycle all over again, and even emit a strange noise under the cowl or dash. Now, at this point they won't stop at all, and I had to pull the fuse or risk hypnosis. Besides, it looks rather silly to be driving around in dry weather with confused wipers.
Any help/suggestions, to minimise the diagnosis time will be helpful. Thanks, and regards, GRT
hh20hw76@mac.com
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Ha! Been there done that! The VERY first thing that you need to check is the THREE drains that are DIRECTLY under the wiper motor. If they plug up, it will cause the wiper computer/motor to get wet and have issues. Hopefully you caught it soon enough that it isnt toast.
You can slide your hand in through the small area between the fender and power brake booster and feel the udders. If there hard, there FULL OF CRAP and need to be cleaned. Once that well fills full of water, the motor controller shorts out.
You can pop the udders out and clean them out. Then just pop them back in. Remember,,,,There are THREE of them in that area.
There is also an inspection panel in the drivers wheel well that you can also remove to get to them. You will need to remove the wheel to properly remove it.
BC
You can slide your hand in through the small area between the fender and power brake booster and feel the udders. If there hard, there FULL OF CRAP and need to be cleaned. Once that well fills full of water, the motor controller shorts out.
You can pop the udders out and clean them out. Then just pop them back in. Remember,,,,There are THREE of them in that area.
There is also an inspection panel in the drivers wheel well that you can also remove to get to them. You will need to remove the wheel to properly remove it.
BC
Thread Starter
c5-pewter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Coconut Creek Florida 33066
St. Jude Donor '08
Hi Bill,
you come through again; you’re the man, and thanks. However, I’m too late, the damage is done!
Found the three drain cups, and yes, they were full of wet debris. They were easy to access, and easy to replace, but unfortunately something shortened out already. Where is this mentioned as a maintenance item? Had to pull the wiper fuse until a new control module arrives.
I am curious about the need for those drains, and/or how the crap gets in there, because I see no access. (Perhaps through the screens in the cowl?) When I cleaned underneath with my index finger, and there were a lot of DRY leaves in the metal housings that hold these udders.
Regards, GRT
you come through again; you’re the man, and thanks. However, I’m too late, the damage is done!
Found the three drain cups, and yes, they were full of wet debris. They were easy to access, and easy to replace, but unfortunately something shortened out already. Where is this mentioned as a maintenance item? Had to pull the wiper fuse until a new control module arrives.
I am curious about the need for those drains, and/or how the crap gets in there, because I see no access. (Perhaps through the screens in the cowl?) When I cleaned underneath with my index finger, and there were a lot of DRY leaves in the metal housings that hold these udders.
Regards, GRT
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 2
From: Chicago-NW Burbs Illinois
Hi Bill,
you come through again; you’re the man, and thanks. However, I’m too late, the damage is done!
Found the three drain cups, and yes, they were full of wet debris. They were easy to access, and easy to replace, but unfortunately something shortened out already. Where is this mentioned as a maintenance item? Had to pull the wiper fuse until a new control module arrives.
I am curious about the need for those drains, and/or how the crap gets in there, because I see no access. (Perhaps through the screens in the cowl?) When I cleaned underneath with my index finger, and there were a lot of DRY leaves in the metal housings that hold these udders.
Regards, GRT
you come through again; you’re the man, and thanks. However, I’m too late, the damage is done!
Found the three drain cups, and yes, they were full of wet debris. They were easy to access, and easy to replace, but unfortunately something shortened out already. Where is this mentioned as a maintenance item? Had to pull the wiper fuse until a new control module arrives.
I am curious about the need for those drains, and/or how the crap gets in there, because I see no access. (Perhaps through the screens in the cowl?) When I cleaned underneath with my index finger, and there were a lot of DRY leaves in the metal housings that hold these udders.
Regards, GRT
Thanks!
Thread Starter
c5-pewter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Coconut Creek Florida 33066
St. Jude Donor '08
Hi black98c5.
I followed Bill's advice and cleaned out the drains. They are easy to get at. Today my mechanic ordered a module, and I expect to see it late Thursday or early Friday. At that time I shall let you know the price. I expect it to be several hundred $s. Bookmark this page, and I’ll follow up with a PM. Regards, GRT
I followed Bill's advice and cleaned out the drains. They are easy to get at. Today my mechanic ordered a module, and I expect to see it late Thursday or early Friday. At that time I shall let you know the price. I expect it to be several hundred $s. Bookmark this page, and I’ll follow up with a PM. Regards, GRT
Thread Starter
c5-pewter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Coconut Creek Florida 33066
St. Jude Donor '08
Hi Andy.
These appendages looked as though they came from a 3 teated Holstein. Yes indeed, I cleaned them thoroughly, and i shall be more vigilant in the future! Regards, GRT
These appendages looked as though they came from a 3 teated Holstein. Yes indeed, I cleaned them thoroughly, and i shall be more vigilant in the future! Regards, GRT
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Here is a picture of the drains the hard way:
Yep, crap gets into the udders. Most of mine comes from the flowering trees in the spring. I check mine everytime I wash the car. Every once in a while I will find a leaf.
You can let the module dry out and sometimes it will start working normaly again.
There is a drain on the other side that can also become clogged but is is a little less common. When you have the battery out, its easily cleaned by popping it out of the cowl and using a garden hose,, shoot water down through it to flush out any crap that may be in the hose. If you pull it out,, its a BITCH to get back in.!
Hose removed
Bill
BC
Yep, crap gets into the udders. Most of mine comes from the flowering trees in the spring. I check mine everytime I wash the car. Every once in a while I will find a leaf.
You can let the module dry out and sometimes it will start working normaly again.
There is a drain on the other side that can also become clogged but is is a little less common. When you have the battery out, its easily cleaned by popping it out of the cowl and using a garden hose,, shoot water down through it to flush out any crap that may be in the hose. If you pull it out,, its a BITCH to get back in.!
Hose removed
Bill
BC
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Thread Starter
c5-pewter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Coconut Creek Florida 33066
St. Jude Donor '08
Hi black98c5 - June 20
cc: Bill Curlee
The wiper control module cost me $162.98. Installation labor was $59.86. When we took everything apart the old module was soaking wet. The module and attached motor sit in sort of a basin/well, which accommodates the (by Bill) aforementioned rubber ducts at the bottom. The basin/well was full of dry leaves, and there is no easy way of cleaning them out from underneath, short of using a strong vac with a narrow hose.
A word of caution when cleaning and replacing the ducts from underneath. When I was able to view them from the top, I found that in replacing them, I had pushed them up a little too far, instead of pulling them down gently, to the rim at the upper edge, to insure a proper fit. Unchecked this would have allowed water to accumulate in the basin at a level which would surely ruin the module, and perhaps even the motor. From now on cleaning these ducts will be a regular maintenance item with every oil change.
Regards, GRT
cc: Bill Curlee
The wiper control module cost me $162.98. Installation labor was $59.86. When we took everything apart the old module was soaking wet. The module and attached motor sit in sort of a basin/well, which accommodates the (by Bill) aforementioned rubber ducts at the bottom. The basin/well was full of dry leaves, and there is no easy way of cleaning them out from underneath, short of using a strong vac with a narrow hose.
A word of caution when cleaning and replacing the ducts from underneath. When I was able to view them from the top, I found that in replacing them, I had pushed them up a little too far, instead of pulling them down gently, to the rim at the upper edge, to insure a proper fit. Unchecked this would have allowed water to accumulate in the basin at a level which would surely ruin the module, and perhaps even the motor. From now on cleaning these ducts will be a regular maintenance item with every oil change.
Regards, GRT
Last edited by c5-pewter; Jun 20, 2008 at 01:57 PM. Reason: spelling
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: Houston TEXAS
Thanks BC and C5pewter. Checked mine after reading the thread and it was full of crap. I think someone just saved me an expensive preventable problem. I owe ya'll a beer
Last edited by 97C5owner; Jun 20, 2008 at 06:07 PM.