Forum:
I've got a 98 Fourtrak and the problem is that the fuse for the front wipers keeps blowing
when i change the fuse, it only last 5 minutes max and then blows!!
I've had a quick look and cant seen anything obvious and the motor works when a new fuse is put in
does anybody know of any areas where the wiring might get worn/corroded and might be causing a short?? (is it a common problem??)
wiper fuse
A number of things can cause this, do the wipers run at normal speed or are they lazy. The simplest is lack of lubtrication either at usually at the gear end where the splined stub comes out of the body work and the drive shaft. By removing the two black plactic seals on the skuttle you will be able to get at these better and use a good spray grease to free things up. It is a good idea to grease the gear along it length below the skuttle. I'm almost certain, please correct me if I am not, that the current goes via a relay which may have a fault.
In addition like any electric motor the motor may be creating too much resistance and this will draw too much current and blow the fuse. Basically if not lack of lubrication start looking at the electrical side.
Check also the column switch for arcing.
OLDMIINIMAN
M J Young
Cheers, i'll have a look at
Cheers, i'll have a look at what you have said, and i'll report back !!
Well, i've stripped the
Well, i've stripped the wiper motor, replaced the bushes on the motor, regreased everything and it still blows the fuse!!
i've replace the relay, still blows the fuse!!
New motor on order as we speak!!
Test on 12v battery.
Remove the wiper unit and try connecting the wiper direct to the battery. Put an in-line fuse into the positive wire if it make you feel safe. If it runs with no problems then the short could be in the dashboard switch and circuit.
thanks for the replys, The
thanks for the replys, The wiper motor works, but doesnt always seem to run at a constant speed which is why i'm trying the new motor route before i start pulling the wiring about!!
Put the new motor in
Put the new motor in tonight, everything seems a lot quicker now, and it hasnt blown a fuse yet!!
hopefully its sorted !!
wipers
Good news with winter approaching.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
Why, Why, Why!! Changed the
Why, Why, Why!!
Changed the motor last night, happy days everythings working ok
get home from work tonight and guess what the first thing the missus says to me??
yep u got it, WIPERS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AGAIN!!!!
why or how can it last all night and all day and then start blowing the fuse again??
i've changed the fuse again and everthings working again???
i`m starting to think it might be the switch causing an intermittant short??, how easy is it to change the wiper switch???
WIPERS
How bad is that and yes a little annoying.
The switch on the column shouldn't be that difficult to change and I would first spray it with a switch cleaner or WD40.
The loom is normally part of the swwitch and will go to a block connector. I would try ebay for a replacement.
Alternatively you could wire in a temporary switch and see if the problem still occurs.
We all pat ourselves having solved a problem with one item only to find that it is something else. Is the column switch floppy indicating weaR?, I doubt it. The contacts sometimes arc causing carbon buildup but that doesn't normally blow the fuse although too much arcing may. It is a head scratcher.
BE INTERESTING TO RESOLVE ONCE AND FOR ALL.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
just ordered a switch off
just ordered a switch off ebay, once i`ve changed that it only really leaves the wiring!! i've already had a quick look at the wiring and cant see any obvious damage that maybe causing a short
since i`ve changed the relay and the motor, the wipers seem to last longer before blowing the fuse (dont know why!)
I'm not convinced its the switch, but by changing it i can eliminate it as a cause of the problem
and i can always sell it on later if its not required!!
wipers
It is possible that you had a number of faults in the circuit but it does seem an odd one.
With the switch replaced in effect you have done the lot. The original Motor that ran at low speed does seem to have been the most obvious choice, but as you say it has improved but not resolved. The only other thing I can think of is if at some time recently you tapped into the fused supply of the wiper circuit for some other accessory and that is overloading the fuse. A long shot but we are now clutching at straws.
OLDMINIMAN
M J Young
i havent had the car long
i havent had the car long and havent added anything to any of the circuits
the only thing i have done is reconnect the towbar electrics (by the passenger seat) but surely they wouldn't be connected into the wiper circuit???
Fuse rating
Firstly I'll apologise if this is stating the obvious but is the fuse fitted the correct rating? You may be replacing it each time with one of the same rating but is it the correct rating according to the fuse box cover or handbook etc?
Everything you have done so far will reduce the current drawn by the motor but if there is a serious short circuit somewhere it will blow a 30A fuse just as fast as a 20, 15 or 10A one. It's not the ideal solution or an elegant one but why don't you try the next fuse rating up from the one you are using and see what happens.
Also, are the wipers the only component protected by that fuse? What about the washers? Are you definitely looking in the right place?
I would never suggest using any circuit on a vehicle without a fuse, I did once set fire to my first car when fitting a radio so I know how easily these things can happen.
Regards - Alastair.
Test the circuit and test the motor.
I suggested earlier that you should attach the motor direct to a 12v battery. Obviously you failed to do the test. Put an inline fuse [correct rating as in the w/s manual]into the circuit. If the fuse blows suspect the wiper motor.
You have bought another wiper motor. Lightening does strike twice in the same place. The second motor could have the same fault!
Next use a circuit tester to check for a 'short to earth' within the existing circuit. The fault could lie elsewhere since other devices could be supplied on the same circuit. Do this whilst the wiper motor is disconected. Check first the positive wire and then the negative wire. If any 'short to earth' exists a circuit tester will give you the answer.
If other units prove to lie within the same circuit then whilst the wiper motor is disconnected, switch each unit on and test each. Which unit blows the fuse ... if any?
The most effective way of finding a fault is to take a look at a circuit diagram. Then you will know what is included within the circuit and where the ciruit needs checking!
Sorry to dig up an old thread
I have the same problem, started blowing every couple of days and now blows within 30 seconds of putting a new fuse in. It blows regardless of whether the wipers are on or off. It just seems to blow on its own without anything actually being turned on.
What would you suggest?
I've fitted another motor and have the same problem.