96 T&C LXi windshield wipers gone wild

My windsield vipers work but not correctly. Wipers may be on even if the switch position is OFF. Sometimes it's hard to make wipers stop.

Where should I start to find error? I'm going to check all wires and the resistances from the wiper/washer switch terminal.

Is it difficult to remove washer multi-function switch on the left side of the steering column? I see only a little hole in it. Maybe I should stick it with a needle or something to loose the head of the multi-function switch?

I am having the same problems with the same vehicle. Did you ever figure out the nature of the problem?

I am still having thi sproblem, as well as the horn randomly blowing at its own will. Can anyone help me out?

The fix is usually replacing the wiper stalk , if this doesn't fix it then you are looking at replacing the wiper motor itself .

The fix is usually replacing the wiper stalk , if this doesn't fix it then you are looking at replacing the wiper motor itself .

If that still doesn't fix it, the body control module, which monitors and controls the wiper function, could be the culprit.

Is it possible that the unit that controls the winshield washers/turn signals/flashers and bright lights is the culprit? I just lost control of the turn signals and flashers as well.

I replaced the flasher relay and am going to replace the whole lever control on the steering column tomorrow. What else could it be? Is there anything else that controls either the wipers or the turn/flashers that I am missing?
aside from the obvious wiring.

I have a 96 grand voy SE. Sometimes my wipers would not turn off or turn on when I wanted them to. Also would continue to run after engine was turned off. I pulled the fuse in engine compartment and plugged it back in and this fixed the problem for several months. They are now doing it again once in a while.

As theFREAKnasty82 said, the BCM is most likely your culprit, it controls the wipers and a whole bunch of other stuff that there is no good reason for a computer to control . . . before replacing it, try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes or so, this will reset it.

Good stuff!
Can some one show me a picture or schematic to locate the BCM?

Hey all,
It the BCM, on the 96 Grand Caravan and Voy have the same problem. Its a $%^% poor design flaw that should have been recalled and fixed by Dodge. I have replaced it 4 times, they last about 25,000 and then start acting up. And no one makes a after market fix so you are stuck with the crap from Dodge. BTW, they changed the design in 97 and fixed it. Last one I got cost about $90, and if you have them install it expect to pay about 3 hrs of shop rate for a 20 minute swap.
Darrell

So, where is it located?

Your bcm is located behind your junction block or
{fuse box} under dash left side but i would think your problem is in the multifunction switch at the steering column most common problem BCM is not to easy to access don't know how drlahman can replace them in 20 minutes but my hats off to him if he can good job. But check your switch first and also go to wiper motor conector it is under hood above the master cyl remote fill or cap area the connector is clipped to the cowl can access it without removing anything back probe the darkgreen/with yellow tracer wire and when wipers areanywhere but park position i believe should be 5v or visa versa maybe 5v when parked but the idea is wichever way you must have 5v at one or the other if you have 5v then it must go to 0v either when parked or on don't remeber but ideal isbcm sends 5v and park switch in motor brings it to ground resulting into 0v

I tried th elever to no sucess as well as the relay and replacing a few fuses.
I am checking for impurities in the connector then next will go the BCM.
Is the BCM the same for 96-00? If not, what years are compatible?

i don't think they are the same in 2000 but chrysler
had a service bulletin in 1996 and depending on symptom or when are the wipers comming on weather turning sinal lamps on made them go on determined the repair one repair was turn sinal switch the other was power distribution center
and also the wiper motor could be at fault i have never replaced a body controler for wipers going on on their own but {there is always a first time}i have 30 years of chrysler experience specializing in electrical and fuel delivery but doesn't mean i have seen every problem out there but i did see an awfull lot of problems so this is my educated guess
or wiring in left wheel weel i have seen problems there especially at front fender bracket harness sits on top and eventually wears through and then grounds relay turning wipers on

Well, at this point I do not even have dash lights. The dash lights have took a crap, the entire relay box buzzes off and on at random times. Then the relay box under the hood has started to hiss at me too. I tried the connector and there was nothing wrong there. I decided to remove the bcm and I am going to go to the junk yard and see if I can find a good one. I sincerely hope it is not the wiring itself. What else could cause the problem other than that harness, the multifunctional switch, and the relay its self?
I will try the bcm from a 99 or 98 and see where that gets me. I hear they remodled the bcm after 96 to correct the faulty problem; not sure if this is BS or true.

When you say power distribution center do you mean the relay box under the hood on the driver side next to the battery? Woudl I need to replace the entire setup?

yes that is it but remember you can replace every part in that vehicle and never repair the problem if the wiring is faulty

is your vehicle at the dealer or small repair shop?

Its at my shop. I am more of a honda/acura expert, so to speak.

I am checking the wiring tomorrow in the fenderwell. Hopefully between the two, i will resolve the issues.

Lovely, well i replaced the BCM with two different BCM's. I am going to replace the relay box tomorrow and hope to hell ti is that. Otherwise, I -will have to try for the wiring and really do not want to do that.

What else could it be, besides the fuse box, wiring and wiper motor? I have checked the following:
-BCM
-Multi-function switch (turn signal lever)
-Relays
-checked all fuses
-checked harness to wier motor
--checked battery

Where exactly is the harness section that rubbs against the chassis to creat a ground?
I beleive that may be the problem, as the car has nothing as of now. Whenever I press the horn or power consuming feature, it buzzs the relay/fuse box. This leads me to beleive it may be a grounding issue.

All you help so far is very much appreciated!

I just re-read this whole thread and realized that no one alerted you to the clockspring problem. There is a part called a clockspring in the steering wheel that Chrysler issued a recall on for the sort of problems you're describing, if you can get it to a dealer, it might be worth your while, as this is a free fix from them.

hmmmn...

Clock spring has no relation to wipers but anyway for the harness you have to remove the left wheel well plastic shield and check complete harness in there and particularily where bracket at front part of fender where harness sits on top of disconnect bracket and pry over some then pull harness below bracket much easier to check and repair GOOD LUCK

OK, back to the drawing board.
I traced all the wiring and there are no problems in the wiring. I removed the plastic flez tubing and checked all the wires; no shorts.
I replaced the wiper motor and yet, still nothing. I have replaced the fuse/relay panel under the hood, the relay under the dash, the multifuction switch and the fuses. I have checked all that I can think of at this point.
I found out the fuse/relay box under the hood did have an issue in it so I swapped in another box. To my dismay, that box did not have all the options I needed; hence, I had to revert back to the old box until i find a new one that does.
Would the recall for the clock spring possibly be the culprit for the turn signals? Or the wipers even?
The wipers will turn on, but they work at there speed, as they se fit. The turn signals have not worked under any situations as long as the problem has been in effect.

HELP!

Well, at this point I do not even have dash lights. The dash lights have took a crap, the entire relay box buzzes off and on at random times. Then the relay box under the hood has started to hiss at me too. I tried the connector and there was nothing wrong there. I decided to remove the bcm and I am going to go to the junk yard and see if I can find a good one. I sincerely hope it is not the wiring itself. What else could cause the problem other than that harness, the multifunctional switch, and the relay its self?
I will try the bcm from a 99 or 98 and see where that gets me. I hear they remodled the bcm after 96 to correct the faulty problem; not sure if this is BS or true.
For the dash lights try pulling the IOD fuse in the power center under the hood above the battery , this kills power to the bcm and wil fix dash anomalies sometimes .

dash lights were fixed. Everything except the turn signals and the wipers work properly. I have replaced everything. The bcm, wiper motor, wiper motor harness, relay box under the hood, relay under dash, multi-function switch, and fuses. What else has anyuthing to do with the turn signals/ wipers?
I followed all the wiring in the inner fenderwell too; nothing.

i just finish repairing my wipers and it turn out to be bad wires under relay box, under the hood. seems that dodge didn't put a weather guard on the bottom of the plugs that go into the relay box. there were lots of rotten wires . hope this helps ,

Hmmn, all the wires looked to be in good wsorking order. I followed all of them throught the fender well and down from the wiper cowl. The only thing left to replace is the bulbs and the power block (under the dash, where the bcm connects)

When you say you followed them, did you continuity test with a meter?

No, I litterly followed the wires down to make sure there were no damage, tears, burns, etc.

I have now replaced everything except the bulbs.
I have replaced:
bcm
wiper motor
wiper motor harness
relay box under the hood
relay under dash
Entire under dash power block (fuse/relay panel)
multi-function switch
fuses

There is really nothing else I can think of that has an orientation with the turn signals or wipers.

Someone please tell me I am overlooking a simpler fix, or I am going to burn this van :(

Use a multimeter to trace the wires, where the current stops between the switch and the motor is your problem.

How can i trace any part other than where it reaches a terminal. IE, how can i trace a coated wire.
Is there an external multimeter? or are you saying to trace the terminal ends and if/where I find the breach, follow that wire back to the other good point and pin point it that way?

if i were you i would start at the motor and work my way back.
1. disconnect the wiper plug on the firewall and jump
power to brn/wht wire to see if the motor and ground are good.
2 . open relay box and test for ground from bcm (wiper switch has to be on for this to work)
3. test switch on the colom. easy to remove two screws and the plastic case is off, remove the plug and two screws and the switch is out . using a ohms meter test the switch, also test the ground in the harnest that plugs into the switch.
start there if you need more help i can help i spent 5 hours testing ,repairing . i can speed things along for you.

Well, i have tested the multi-function switch. How would I test the ground on that harness?

Also, how would I test the ground to the bcm?

I am begining to thing it has something to do with a bad ground. If it were a short, the battery would drain; it doesn't.

I am going to remove the under hood relay box and look again for any ground wires out of place etc.

I don't mind to test the wires with the ohm meter, but I don't know what impedance to expect on what wires etc.
The haynes manual is nearly useless for me.


Also, when you say to jump power to the white/brown wires to check for good power/ground, I am not sure if that is to test the motors ability to perform or what?
It will perfrom, if I depress the washer button.

bcm sends grounds to turn relays on not power. power is all ready there, the reason they are not working is because of a ground problem. you said you changed the bcm and the switch.
i would check the ground that goes to the switch ,black wire in the harnest that the switch plugs into .unplug the switch ,find and test ground on black.

Thats where I will start tomorrow morning. Thanks Tysons!

well, i tested the ground on the switch and it works just fine, I also tested it on the harness to the wipers, also fine. I tore the battery tray and fenders off today and followed the damn wires inch for inch to check for any kinks/cuts/tears, etc. Nothing.

I am truly bafled. I do not know where to go from here. If you have some more suggestions, feel free to shime in. If it is taking me this much work and time, I can only imagine the bill the dealer will charge for going through all these steps as well.

Well have you repaired your turn signals yet???? If not you can start at your turn signal flasher at your junction block under dash there is about 10-14 pins on the flasher part and fail often and for your wipers you need to check first of all switch part# must be 5012382aa part# is stamped on switch itself make sure you check because these are different from year to year then you must test your 12v and grounds under load in other words when testing for voltage you have to use your multimeter and wire a lamp of some kind that will draw about 1 amp or so.Now with your multimeter you test voltage and power this lamp or load at same time and check voltage voltage should stay close and also when checking your grounds just feed your aux or load lamp and ground your lamp on ground wire you want to test lamp should be full bright or you can still check with ohm meter with load on this really checks circuit under load and you would be amazed at how many problems are found this way and it's not hard to do and after you check part# and feeds and grounds this way and if nothing shows up repost i have all wiring diagrams at my fingertips

That sounds excellent. I will do that today and hopoe I get the results I am loking for. I have replaced the junction box and relays. I have seemed to remedy the wiper issue. Not sure how I did it, but I did. There was a plug behind the vacumm block on the battery tray that was not plugged in. (A 2 prong plug) After that and tracing wires for several hours, the wipers are perfect. Now I only have the turn signals to deal with.

Do you happen to have a "diagram" on how to test the flasher? When you say flasher, you are refering to the top right relay (the largest one) correct?

Thanks for all the help!

glad you found the problem with the wipers.
what a nightmare.

well it depends if your van is equipped with daytime running lamps or not if equipped yes it's the bigger ractangular piece with 12 pins sticking out and if not it only has 9 pins comming out

Well, I had replaced that relay 5-6 times in the past few weeks trying to resolve the issue. Nothing. Still no turn signals. The odd thing is this. Last night, I went to leave to go to the store and when i started the vehicle, that relay (flasher relay) started buzzying very loudly. I removed it and it stopped right away. I have no clue what it is and have replaced all the connecting parts. It was raining a bit when i started the vehicle and the buzzying occured. Any insight?

Did you ever check how many terminals have 12v under load at flasher with flasher out looks like there should be at least 2 and one body ground this ground goes on a stud behind BCM on the floor under carpet and also check ignition switch

Not sure how many have 12v. I do not know which should have the 12 volt?
What does the body ground connect to. (Obviously the floor, but where does the other section connect to? The BCM itself?)

How would I check the ignition switch without a diagram of what wire should have what voltage etc?

The body ground may be my issue, as I have had the bcm out several times as well as the fuse/power block and never found a body ground.
Can you be a little more specific on its location please?

Also, if you have any diagrams that would show voltage at each point and what wires should be ground and what wires should have what voltage I would really appreciate it.

Hello!

I got my problem solved for a while ago. The fault was too simple: faulty relay for wipers. I just simply tried another relay and then bought new one and everything is working now :)

damn, why can't the turn signals be that easy:)

Hi Guys I also have this Dam problem, and im looking for some Info on where it is and how to replace the multifunction wiper switch and the bcm and is there a Diagram or schematics for these on the web ? thanks Brian

Try Autozone.com for the info. Just have to plug in all your info. Can be hard to follow at times but, you'll get there. Schematics are under Chassis Electrical as I recall.

BCM is on the back side of the Junction Block (Chrysler lingo for the fuse/relay panel) under the dash in front of the drivers left knee.

In the future please don't open 2+ year old threads. Just write a new one. Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the Info,