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Windshield wipers stopped working correctly

Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 268,000 MILES
When I turned them on, they would not turn off and would stay in the fast position. I changed the motor to see if that was the problem, it happened again. I went back and changed the fuses and the switch in the column. It was working perfectly at every speed and even turned off. It worked for about two weeks and then it stopped returning to the stop position. In other others, it would stop half way when coming down. I would give it a little push and it would continue. I changed just about everything I could, the motor, fuses, blades, arbitrator arms, bushings everything. The problem is still occurring, I checked the voltage of the connector. When the key is on, two of the five terminals have voltage. I'm not sure if that is because the wiper are not on, I got frustrated and stop working on it.
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 11:03 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

On this vehicle, there is a wiper park switch that allows the wipers to move to the park position. When you have the wipers on low or high, the motor receives power from fuse 20 in the fuse box. When you go to delay or off, then power is provide via the GEM module to the wiper relay. Have you replaced or checked the relay?

I attached a picture of the relay location. Also, try switching the relay with one in the relay box that has the same part number. If there isn't one, here is a link that explains how to test a relay:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here are a few links that you may find helpful when testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
Thank you for the info, I did change the relay switch. It still didn't work properly. I tried tracing the wires back to the battery to find a loose wire or burned wire but nothing. I will check the voltage tomorrow.
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Since this wasn't the original issue, I have a feeling the new motor has a bad park switch in it. Since you touch it and it continues to the park position, something in the motor is failing. At this point, that is a theory, but in my mind, nothing else makes sense. The relay is new and the GEM wasn't an issue prior.

Let me know if you find anything when checking. I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
Okay, I will let you know for sure.
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Sounds like a plan.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
You as well,
David
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Tuesday, September 10th, 2019 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
Hey Joe,

I checked the other fuses in the fuse box and found five of them that were not working. I also checked the terminals where they were. Im not sure if I did it right but some didn't have any power and some had power on one side. I attached a photo to show you how I did the test for the terminals.
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 AT 12:20 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
The fuses that weren't getting any power or only had half are the ones I have with a dot next to them in the following picture. The fuse number 30 does work that was a mistake.
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Dave, with the fuse removed, it will only have power on one side. The fuse is the jumper that takes it through. Now if you told me only one side had power with the fuse installed, then the fuse is bad.

Now, and I apologize, which fuses get no power? I can't really read what you attached. I see the dots, but I can't make out what is beside them. LOL sorry.

Joe
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
No worries, I don't know if this matters or not. When I used the tester on the battery, the connectors for the positive cable didn't have a good connection. When I moved the tester around on the connectors, some spots didn't have a charge. I'll try to get a video of what I mean. As far as the fuses, it was the following:
19- Mirror Heater
27-Cigar Lighter
29-Rear Window Heater
31-Illumination
32-Radio
33-Side Lights (Left)
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Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 AT 5:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Welcome back:

If none of those fuses are getting power, it sounds like the fuse / relay box itself may be bad. At this point and since there are so many, the box needs removed and inspected for damage, corrosion, or anything that would prevent power to so many different fuses. Once it's removed, you will see the plugs that go to it. Check to see if there is anything disconnected or if pins in the plug are pushed back and not making contact.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, September 12th, 2019 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
Good morning Joe,
I turned my defrost on this morning and then to the A/C and the air still came through the dashboard. What could have caused that?
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Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 AT 5:16 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Welcome back:

I hate to ask this, but I need you to start a new thread with the new question. We are trying to keep the threads specific to one topic so it is helpful to others.

I hope you understand. And as far as your new problem, it's not a hard fix, there is a actuator that controls air flow and it is actuated by engine vacuum, so we will need to discuss and check that.

I will watch for your new post and get right on it for you.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
DCOATES35
  • MEMBER
  • 45 POSTS
Yes I do understand that and will start a new one.
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Wednesday, September 18th, 2019 AT 1:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Thanks. Sorry to be a pain. LOL
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Thursday, September 19th, 2019 AT 6:22 PM

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