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Windshield wipers come on by themselves

Yahoo Message Number: 97291
My wipers have decided to turn on whenever they like. Most of the time I can turn them off with the button on the smart wheel. All wiper functions seem normal when I activate them myself so I think all of the wiper buttons on the smart wheel are working. I just can't figure it why they come on by themselves.
Any help would be appreciated.
Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836

Re: Windshield wipers come on by themselves

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97294
Britt,

If the clock spring replacement does not correct the problem, I would suggest that another possibility would be a defective smart wheel computer module.

Jon

2004 Inspire #51008

Re: Windshield wipers come on by themselves

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97297
Any idea how to access the spring? Is it in the wheel or under?

Re: Windshield wipers come on by themselves

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97298
Under the steering wheel. You have to remove the steering wheel and some trim. It takes about 2 hours to change it. I have done several.

Mikee

Re: Windshield wipers come on by themselves

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97299
I would disagree that it is the clock spring. If you decide to buy one, do not install it completely, just disconnect the connectors (inside the wheel and on the steering column) and connect the new one without mounting.. This may save you are lot of work replacing it when you find that it is not the problem.

The clock spring contains four conductors (maybe five), to control all the smart wheel functions. There is NO single conductor that controls the wipers, but a range of different voltages on the wires to perform the actions of the different steering wheel functions (headlights cruise control, wipers wash variable hi/low, horn, etc). Smartwheel has a chart of those voltages for the eleven functions. Google "Smartwheel voltages" and select the PDF entitled "Trouble Shoot..." It reports:

"Wipers not functioning properly or other odd quirks in vehicle lighting or instrumentation.

"The most common problem with wipers and or lighting issues is poor ground(s). Please check grounds at accessories being driven by the controller (such as wiper motors, cruise control, lamps, etc.) The ground for these accessories should be tied to the nearest body/frame ground on vehicle. They should NOT use any ground(s) from the controller as their only ground."

I personally experience a problem with wipers not working at the same time that I could not set my vehicle speed or flash high beams. If I could set cruise control, the wipers would work too. It would fail, and then work 5 - 50 miles down the road, never fail at a repair shop. Finally got it to fail at a rally. CC traced it to one wire in a molex connector to the SmartWheel controller that was connected by only one strand of wire.

Controller on a 2002 Allure is located on the firewall under the dash, to the left of the steering column, close to the floor (as I recall).

The problem was a real safety issue, so I installed an manual override switch for the wipers on the dash!!!

Herb

CCO Group Moderator
 

Re: Windshield wipers come on by themselves

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97302
Thanks for all the replies. I think my Cornerstone ESP will take care of it. Is this something I would need to take to the chassis shop or should my house shop be able to handle it?

Thanks again,
Britt

2004 Intrigue 11836

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