Wipers blowing fuse

[bflood]

Been having this problem since last summer. Seemed like it was related to intermittent function so I changed the intermittent module ($50). Didn't help.



Thought that the multifunction switch (on the steering column) was bad so changed that ($120). This seemed to work for awhile (4 months) but the problem has returned with a vengence (I went through 4 fuses yeterday). :{



I did a forum search but not much luck.



Can anyone help? I will return to being a student of the manual but if anyone knows what is causing this short I'd appreciate the help.



Thanks, Bruce



PS: I don't know if this is related but sometimes when I release the parking brake (with it's "bang") the wipers will cycle once or twice.

 

[JStoll]

it may be that the motor is drawing too much current it would be great if you could get your hands on an inductive amp probe & put a loop of wire from post to post where the fuse goes & take readings if it exceeds the fuse limit as the motor starts to move the wipers the motor is prolly bad

if you had an old amp guage laying around you could bridge the fuse with that & get the same reading. open the door on the truck with the key on engine off turn on the wipers if the dome light dimms noticably as the wipers move suspect the motor

most motors will draw more current as they fail or will go open & not work or draw at all

thats al I got for now

JAK

 

[bflood]

Problem solved, Thanks John

My problem with blowing fuses is solved. Oo.



We have a new member, John Rathbun, from Los Vegas and he led me to the solution. He didn't have his full access yet so he called me, LONG DISTANCE, to help. Now thats going beyond the call of duty and I thank you John!!



As John described to me, the harness under the dash, next to the steering column, rests on a sharp bracket and, over time, can wear through the insulation. That is exactly what I found! The factory tyrap was holding the harness tight to the sharp edge, about 6 inches from the fuse block. I cut the tie and saw the damage underneath where a couple wires in the bundle were chaffed through. I wrapped it with electrical tape and applied my own tyrap to hold the harness away from the sharp metal bracket (actually it is a metal gusset to stiffen the dash). PROBLEM SOLVED!!



Although I didn't get a lot of responses to this post (only one good one was necessary and John provided that), I would think this would be a fairly common problem on older trucks.



I also have been having a random problem with the ABS light and Brake Warning light coming on for brief times and loosing power assist to the brakes. Don't know yet but maybe this has been fixed too??



So, if your 1st Gen truck starts blowing fuses when you operate the wipers, and your ABS light and Brake warning light flash at the same time, save yourself some money and a lot of aggravation and check your wiring harness as described above!



John, I wish I had asked for your phone number because it would've been worth it to me to call and thank you.

Happy Truckn',

Bruce

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Sounds like John is gonna fit right in with the best darn bunch on the board.....



5 Bonus RWHP for John... . good on ya bud... .





Bob.

 

[jdurham]

:-laf Good on ya?:-laf



Never heard THAT before...

 

[DBF]

Good on ya?

We (US Submarines) started using that phrase in the early 60's. I think we picked it up from the Royal Canadian Navy submariners at Halifax. The RCN boats were partially manned by English Royal Navy types at that time, so I think it goes back to them.



Bruce, did you ever run into it?



Regards, DBF

 

[bflood]

Good on ya?

I never heard it but I'm going to check with one of my shipmates that was on boomers and another one that was on fast attack subs.

Bruce

 

[jdurham]

OK maybe, but where did *YOU* get that from Bush?:-laf

 

[JStoll]

australians say it all the time

JAK