Why won't windshield wipers don't retract fully when turned off?
The wipers work fine except when I turn them off. The wipers stay at the position they are at when they are turned off (that is, they don't retract to their resting position)
on the wiper arm at the bottom is a plastic cap. remove it and underneath is a 13 or 15 mm nut line the wiper back up and tighten the nut. the wiper should work.
I have seen this problem several times and it was the assembly under the steering wheel at the top of the steering column. There are many electrical connections in there for turn signals, wipers, horn, headlight dimmer, etc. The electrical contacts could be dirty and not conducting current or they could be misalligned or broken or just plain worn out.
If you're up to it, take steering wheel off and take a look. If there is an airbag, and you've never removed one of those, I wouldn't even start -- take it back to the shop and tell them what you suspect the problem to be.
Try swapping the wiper relay with a similar one in the fuse box. If no help, the body computer may have a stuck high relay control output. Check for poor wiring grounds near the body computer and near the wiper motor. Check the wiper motor auto-park switch for looseness.
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First you need a wiring diagram, free at http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html Then you need a DVOM - digital volt ohm meter to test the circuit . Then if your not familiar with automotive electrical systems testing ,go on youtube an check out Electric Testing Techniques You Need to Know Also having a factory diagnostic trouble shooting chart would also be usefull . You could just start replacing parts , you mite get lucky . The wiper motor is a high fail part , so is the switch ..You could find the fuse is blown ! But fuse's don't usually blow without a reason . Short to ground , low resistance . ( high current flow) Also knowing how they work and what all is involved in making them work.
The Wiper/Washer System consists of the following components:
• Windshield wiper/washer switch
• Windshield wiper motor module
• Windshield wiper motor
• Windshield washer pump motor
• FRT/WPR/WSHR 25A fuse
Wiper/Washer System Operation
The windshield wiper motor module is part of the windshield wiper motor cover and controls wiper motor operation. The windshield wiper motor is a 2 speed motor and is operated at low speed in all modes except HIGH. The accessory voltage supply circuit to the windshield wiper motor assembly is used to operate the wiper motor in all of the low speed modes. The accessory voltage supply circuit to the windshield wiper/washer switch is used to supply the windshield wiper switch signal circuits and the wiper motor high speed circuit.
When the wiper/washer switch is in the LOW position voltage is supplied through a 24K ohm resistor within the switch to the windshield wiper switch signal 2 circuit, and accessory voltage is supplied to the windshield wiper switch signal 1 circuit. The reduced voltage from the wiper switch signal 2 circuit and accessory voltage from the wiper switch signal 1 circuit causes the wiper motor module to close the wiper motor accessory voltage supply circuit to the wiper motor low speed terminal.
Windshield wiper/washer system MIST operation is identical to LOW operation except that the MIST switch is a press and release type. When the wiper switch is moved to the MIST position and released, low speed wiper motor operation is started and will continue until 1 cycle is complete. If the wiper switch is moved to the MIST position and held, the windshield wiper motor will operate in the LOW mode until the switch is released.
Don't the wipers work in any mode ?
1
Did you review the Wiper/Washer System description and operation and perform the necessary inspections?
YES - Go to Step 2
NO - Go to Symptoms - Wiper/Washer Systems
2
Turn ON the ignition , with the engine OFF.
Operate the windshield wiper/washer switch through all the switch positions.
Does the windshield wiper/washer system operate normally?
YES - Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
NO - Go to Step 3
3
Turn OFF the ignition.
Disconnect the harness connector of the windshield wiper motor.
Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
Connect a test lamp from the accessory voltage circuit of the windshield wiper motor to a good ground.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
YES - Go to Step 4
NO - Go to Step 13
4
Connect a test lamp from the accessory voltage circuit to the ground circuit of the windshield wiper motor.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
YES - Go to Step 5
NO - Go to Step 14
5
Connect a test lamp from the signal 2 circuit of the windshield wiper switch to a good ground.
Press the windshield washer switch.
Does the test lamp illuminate?
YES - Go to Step 11
NO - Go to Step 6
Let me know if you make it this far and i will send rest of diagnostic's
2 ways of dealing with this. Install a new motor or put up with it until you install a new motor. I usually give it a very light tap with a hammer or a wrench & they start working fine at least for a while
This is a commoon problem with what is called the "Park pawl stop". The tab is most likely bent and needs to be re-aligned, then the wipers need to be re-timed. This re-timing can be a little difficult, although the re-aligning of the tab is failry simple.
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