wipers/lights/horn (oh my)

[skr8pn]

no other way to start this thread than, "get this:"

I turn my headlights on, my wipers come on. Eventually they stop but not immeadiatly. When switching from low to high beams, the wipers cycle again.

I turn my wipers on and I have no control over intermident delay except low and high (the wiper motor has been replaced and I recently checked the board and its still in great shape). If you turn them off, much like the headlight problem, they'll eventually go off but not immeadiatly.

Occasionally, when blowing the horn, the wipers come on.

Facts and details: 94 S-10, 2.2, 5speed, tilt column. I pulled the engine a couple of years back and rebuilt it (I swear I've checked the engine grounds 100 times). When replacing the engine, I put an aftermarket harness on the headlights that uses 2 relays for high and low (LMC Truck). So I have 14V at the headlights now and headlight switch actually just runs the control to the relay. The ground is on the firewall on a ring terminal with the other light grounds. Good bare/clean surface.

Any ideas...at all? First I figured it was something in the engine bay I had done with a ground somewhere but the more I think about it, I'm leaning toward the multifunction switch just going bad and allowing some shorting to happen.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by skr8pn

no other way to start this thread than, "get this:"

I turn my headlights on, my wipers come on. Eventually they stop but not immeadiatly. When switching from low to high beams, the wipers cycle again.

I turn my wipers on and I have no control over intermident delay except low and high (the wiper motor has been replaced and I recently checked the board and its still in great shape). If you turn them off, much like the headlight problem, they'll eventually go off but not immeadiatly.

Occasionally, when blowing the horn, the wipers come on.

Facts and details: 94 S-10, 2.2, 5speed, tilt column. I pulled the engine a couple of years back and rebuilt it (I swear I've checked the engine grounds 100 times). When replacing the engine, I put an aftermarket harness on the headlights that uses 2 relays for high and low (LMC Truck). So I have 14V at the headlights now and headlight switch actually just runs the control to the relay. The ground is on the firewall on a ring terminal with the other light grounds. Good bare/clean surface.

Any ideas...at all? First I figured it was something in the engine bay I had done with a ground somewhere but the more I think about it, I'm leaning toward the multifunction switch just going bad and allowing some shorting to happen.

having a 94 s10 4X4 5 SP V6 I would replace the wiper control board. lots of issues with that one. very intermittent operation at all times. relay issues.also board problems.

never had problems with the wiper motor. had a horn partially short out . fuse was making a connection until the horn was activated then the fuse would open . that had me going for a while. used magnifier and saw the fuse was slightly melted . passenger side horn.

head lamps connectors suck. really cheap crap.

[skr8pn]

The wiper motor and board have been replaced. Actually in great shape. I remember how bad the old one was.

I've torn deep into the column. Deep enough I can't remember how it goes back together. Thank God for the internet. None the less, everything looks great in the column too, minus the extra parts I can't figure where they go of course. The connection down low on the column looks good too. Still scratching my head here.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by skr8pn

The wiper motor and board have been replaced. Actually in great shape. I remember how bad the old one was.

I've torn deep into the column. Deep enough I can't remember how it goes back together. Thank God for the internet. None the less, everything looks great in the column too, minus the extra parts I can't figure where they go of course. The connection down low on the column looks good too. Still scratching my head here.

make a ground wire up connect the wiper frame to the engine.

[skr8pn]

Originally Posted by j cAT

make a ground wire up connect the wiper frame to the engine.

so, good call. Did some more testing, lots of testing today. actually unplugged the headlight harness from the column and the wipers still come on with the headlights. I unplugged the new headlight harness, jumped power to power, same result.

OK, finally got a set of jumper cables and grounded the motor to the core support, oddly, a small spark. Turned on the headlights and no wipers, which is the proper result. Pulled the motor off and pulled it all apart, looked perfect. Put it all back together and made a ground wire for the case to the body. So far, so good, I'll let it go until something else....fails.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by skr8pn

so, good call. Did some more testing, lots of testing today. actually unplugged the headlight harness from the column and the wipers still come on with the headlights. I unplugged the new headlight harness, jumped power to power, same result.

OK, finally got a set of jumper cables and grounded the motor to the core support, oddly, a small spark. Turned on the headlights and no wipers, which is the proper result. Pulled the motor off and pulled it all apart, looked perfect. Put it all back together and made a ground wire for the case to the body. So far, so good, I'll let it go until something else....fails.

Gm uses ground straps that have exposed fine copper wire. when exposed to rust and water/road salts these turn to dust. then you get these odd issues .