front wiper motor mystery - 2002 Sport Trac

[Koke Sr.]

About a month ago (yes I have been avoiding driving in precipitation for a month) I went to turn the wipers on to push off a little bit of wet snow (good ole Ohio) and the wipers moved about a smidge and stopped. I checked the fuse inside the cab fuse 24 (30a) and it is not bad (put a new one in for S@G) and also moved relays around in 45b and 45a under the hood. That did nothing. The wiper motor looked like crap so I replaced it (I did try to check for power, albeit briefly, and was confident at the time the motor finally went - I have had this truck for 2 years and the odometer was stuck at 197K when I got it... easily have put 5-7K on it myself). Anyway, plugged it in, tried the switch... nothing... went ahead and bolted it in since it was new... and I was not going to send it back. Started searching for power. Left the power on, switch set to high, and pulled the relays, looking to see if there was any power coming to them (no). Pulled fuse 24, to see if there was power to it (no). The switch was 28 bucks and easy to change, so I did it. (yes, I look like a part replacer :/) . Anyway, new multi function switch (everything else works... washer pump... turn signals... emergency flashers) new wiper motor, fuse 24 seems to be fine (although should I not be able to get power at the fuse? (tried with tester attached to the battery - nuttin honey). I can buy a set of the relays and replace them all (there are 4-5 things that use the same relay) but pretty sure I am missing something. I did directly ground the motor to the battery ground through out all of this, but, that of course made no difference (my old Dodge W150 was fidgety about this....).

So, I am stuck. I do want to get a bigger truck, but would hate to do it because of this. What am I missing?

Koke

 

[CDW6212R]

Two thoughts I have, is there an added alarm or remote start, and have you used Rain-X before?

First put on some Rain-X, that will help immensely to drive in the rain, when put on right. Use a hand to apply the Rain-X after spraying some on the glass. Using a rag etc, absorbs a lot and doesn't get as much on the glass. Put on directly and use enough to spread it fully, but not dripping below the bottom. Then use a clean rage or paper towel after a minute, to wipe it clear. That will work well with no wipers, above maybe 25mph, below that more rain is left on the glass to see through.

An added alarm will have lots of wires tapped into existing wiring, and during installation they sometimes damage the original wiring etc. So you may have all good wiper components, but faulty wiring somewhere.

 

[Koke Sr.]

Two thoughts I have, is there an added alarm or remote start, and have you used Rain-X before?

First put on some Rain-X, that will help immensely to drive in the rain, when put on right. Use a hand to apply the Rain-X after spraying some on the glass. Using a rag etc, absorbs a lot and doesn't get as much on the glass. Put on directly and use enough to spread it fully, but not dripping below the bottom. Then use a clean rage or paper towel after a minute, to wipe it clear. That will work well with no wipers, above maybe 25mph, below that more rain is left on the glass to see through.

An added alarm will have lots of wires tapped into existing wiring, and during installation they sometimes damage the original wiring etc. So you may have all good wiper components, but faulty wiring somewhere.

Thanks CDW... had planned on the Rain-x for sure, appreciate the tips on application. For now I guess I am going to pull the new switch back off... determine which one(s) head to the relays and see if I can track it down... it looks like has been lots of work under the dash... too bad something finally let loose.

Koke

 

[CDW6212R]

If some things have been worked on under the dash, that should require some time and patience to dig around and be sure everything is secure, no breaks in wires etc. Hopefully you will find something amiss fast, and not have to get someone else to figure it out.

 

[Koke Sr.]

The odd thing was the way it stopped, just as the wipers began to move, much like a fuse, relay or motor went... I have not found this problem yet, even with RainX still avoiding precipitation when driving :/
Koke