Two unresolved mysteries

[Samantha_Chrysler]

Dear Auto Gurus!

I’d like to ask two questions about some kind of mysterious things which happened to my car recently. Some suggestions I got from other mechanics were unsatisfying (some even laughed at me)… It’s all about Chrysler Concorde 1998, 2.7 L engine, 140 000 km, accident-free:

1. Mystery with the trunk lock.
This happened twice within 2 months (periods of rain). In the morning when I opened and raised the trunk a thin jet of water came from the interior part of the trunk lock. Where did it come from? Through the keyhole? What can I do about it? As I wrote above, despite the periods of frequent and heavy rains this happened only twice.

2. Mystery with wipers.
Maybe every 5th or 6th time when I switch on my wipers they just make “click” and a very small movement (about 3-4 mm) and do not perform at all. When I turn them off and immediately turn on again, everything is totally fine. Should I worry about this? Is it a warning sign that smth should be done about them?


Many thanks in advance for your help. I wish you all the best!

Samantha

[MagicRat]

I am not sure about item #1. I suspect unless you expect freezing weather, there is little to worry about, and realistically, it is not much of a concern.
Lock mechanisms end up getting wet regularly without harm.
Some WD-40 sprayed in the lock may help displace water and will lubricate the lock.

The second question indicates a problem with the wiper motor or wiring. The small movement you see is actually the 'park routine' and is a separate operation of the wiper motor from the main wiping action.

Therefore, when you see only the small amount of movement, the park routine is receiving power, but the main wiper routine is not, either through lack of electrical power or a non functional relay. IMO change the wiper motor. It would be a severe hazard if your wiper motor stops working in traffic just as it starts to rain.

BTW your 2.7 liter engine is notorious for engine sludging problems. Be sure to use fully synthetic oil in your oil changes. Ordinary oils become overheated by the normal operation of the engine (due to a design flaw), forming sludge and clog the cam chain adjusters, eventually allowing the chain to skip and pushing the valves into the pistons; an expensive repair.
Synthetic oils do not create such sludge under such conditions.

Otherwise, its a fine car. My dad has the same model and year as yours.