electrical and ignition Wipers Stuck On? Broken Stalk?

[camperman]

Never heard of this issue before.

 

I went to start my car today and the wipers came on, which I thought odd. I tried turning them off and nothing happened. The switch at the end of the stalk *seems* to be broken, it doesnt click when I press it. It seems a lot like the classic Hazard switch failure. My wipers are on all the time and I cant turn them off. Last time I drove the car it was dry and they were definitely turned off. Its like the switch has just "pinged" in the intervening time.

 

Has anyone heard of this issue with this before? Any known fixes?

 

TIA

[Posaune]

What year is your car?  My '73 has the same issue.  Yes the push switch is most likely broken.  I dont think it can be disassembled easily.  The PO wired in a switch into the knee panel.  The wire can be patched off the block connector under the dash. The stalk is stupid expensive (~$400).   You might be able to find a used one, or some years use a cheaper stalk switch.

Edited March 21, 2016 by Posaune

[Mike Self]

A second guess:  the parking mechanism has malfunctioned.  The wiper motor is "hot" whenever the ignition is on, and is prevented from running by the parking mechanism, which interrupts the circuit.  If this malfunctions, the wipers won't turn off.  

 

I did a column on repairing both the column switch (if it's on a 71-73 with the on-off wiper switch on the end of the turn signal stalk), and another on troubleshooting/repairing the parking mechanism.

 

Drop me an IM with your e-mail address, as the columns are Word documents and can't be pasted to an IM.

 

cheers

mike

[camperman]

A second guess:  the parking mechanism has malfunctioned.  The wiper motor is "hot" whenever the ignition is on, and is prevented from running by the parking mechanism, which interrupts the circuit.  If this malfunctions, the wipers won't turn off.  

 

I did a column on repairing both the column switch (if it's on a 71-73 with the on-off wiper switch on the end of the turn signal stalk), and another on troubleshooting/repairing the parking mechanism.

 

Drop me an IM with your e-mail address, as the columns are Word documents and can't be pasted to an IM.

 

cheers

mike

 

Hi Mike thanks for the response, I have sent PM

[2002Scoob]

Dreaded dip switches.... I had so much trouble with my stock one trying to get it to work, and replacements are getting mighty expensive. Tried to fix the stocker multiple times, finally ended up sucking it up and getting a replacement i found for a steal at 150 euro.

[wegweiser]

Isn't there somewhere, on record, where a shorted out washer pump caused a similar "Jane! Stop this crazy thing!!!" wiper malfunction? I think Jenny Morgan discussed it, back in the 1990s in her Roundel writing? it may not have been a 2002, but might apply to us?

 

Just wondering out loud.

[Mike Self]

Paul,  a 73 wouldn't have the old bi-metal strip wash/wipe timer--when one of those sticks in the circuit closed position, it'll keep the wipers going.  And it seems to me that if the washer pump shorted out, it wouldn't be signaling the little wisch-wash circuit in the wiper relay box to keep the wipers going. 

 

My guess is either the wiper on-off switch inside the turn signal lever has broken in the on position, or the self-park mechanism in the motor has malfunctioned and isn't shutting off current to the wipers.  And it's most likely the latter, because if the just the switch malfunctioned, the wipers would stop as soon as the arms reached their park position. 

 

mike

[im3crazy]

Isn't there somewhere, on record, where a shorted out washer pump caused a similar "Jane! Stop this crazy thing!!!" wiper malfunction? I think Jenny Morgan discussed it, back in the 1990s in her Roundel writing? it may not have been a 2002, but might apply to us?

 

Just wondering out loud.

 +1 on the pump trigger.   Yes! This will cause the problem. We had one come in the shop a few weeks ago where the washer pump wire brushed against the exhaust mani and grounded out causing the wipers to run.  Only happened during acceleration when engine pulled enough to make contact!

Dave in Baltimore

[camperman]

On 3/21/2016 at 8:20 PM, mike said:

My guess is either the wiper on-off switch inside the turn signal lever has broken in the on position, or the self-park mechanism in the motor has malfunctioned and isn't shutting off current to the wipers.

mike

Just fixed this today, as suspected the stalk switch was faulty, it wasnt clicking when pressed. If you open the end of the stalk there is a little white plastic switch activator which is held by a spring, it was stuck in the "on" position. A simple light stretching of the spring to give it a bit more strength and a clean/lubrication of the activator fixed the issue. 

It does highlight a general issue that my wiper system has been totally neglected for 45 years, a full R&R is probably required this year. 

Thanks Mike for all your info on this,  im glad it was a simple and cheap fix

[Posaune]

How did you open the end of the stalk?

[TobyB]

[camperman]

18 hours ago, Posaune said:

How did you open the end of the stalk?

The end of he stalk switch is just a pressed in cap. I just some pliers to lightly grip it and pull it out.