1996 Grand Caravan rear windshield washer pump won't stop running

[DakotaDocMartin]

I have a problem with the rear windshield washer on my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan SE. I pressed the button for the rear washer as usual and the pump just keeps on running and pumps all the fluid out of the tank. I took the dash panel loose and completely disassembled the switch assembly to see if there might have been a problem with the switch. All of the switches that control the rear wiper, rear washer, rear defroster, air recirculation and A/C are of the same type. They are a momentary switch made up of a gray rubber cone with a metal contact inside of it. The switch button is depressed which forces the metal contact to close the circuit on the printed circuit board beneath it. All of these switches are in perfect condition and there is no way that the switch contact is stuck or otherwise made. I called the local Chrysler/Dodge dealer here in Grand Forks, ND and they knew absolutely nothing about how to fix the problem. One "technician" said that whenever they have this problem they replace the whole assembly. I called the parts department and the parts man tried to tell me that the whole dash panel and switch assembly is one replaceable unit that costs nearly $500! (I wish when people don't know the answer that they would just say so.)

Anyway, the problem may be in that printed circuit board which is easily replaceable if I could find out where to buy one. In the meantime the motor will run every time I turn the ignition key to on. I can't find a relay or fuse that will stop the motor either under the hood or under the dash. I even pulled all of the resettable fuses one by one to see if I could stop the motor that way. I would pull the wire from the rear pump but the pump is located on the bottom of the reservoir tank. The right front wheel and fender liner would have to be removed to do this and I don't have the equipment to do so. I guess the motor will just have to run until it burns itself out.

Has anyone had this problem? What did you do to fix it?

Thanks in advance!

[gforster]

I've never heard of it but I'll look into it for ya!!

[gforster]

Well here we go. There is a PTC (circuit breaker) in cav #9 under the dash it's a 6 amp and that should disable the wash motor. There is only one MUX lead going from the control to the Body computer which then drives the motor through that circuit breaker. I assume from the diagrams that there are certain resistances sent to the computer from each of the rear wiper/wash switches, but I have no specs as to what they should be. The control assembly can run it's own diagnostics and give you an error code but i don't know if it tests washer and rear wiper circuits. Sorry i'm not much help from here....

[DakotaDocMartin]

My brother in law who has been in the automotive business for many years stopped by today as they just moved back from Lake Havasu, AZ. He got under the right front fender/bumper area and unplugged the rear washer motor. At least it won't be running continuously and I can use the front washer and everything else located on the Dash Control Unit (part number 4677617). I'm thinking that I will just leave it disabled now as the vehicle has 92K miles on it. I don't see buying a $407.00 part to fix it... IF that is the problem at all.

[marshallt]

I have a 1996 caravan (not grand). My rear washer pump won't turn off either. Curious to know if you have found out any more info. I have unplugged my pump as well to keep it from burning up. I plan to go to the junk yard and pick up a switch board to replace mine (assuming that is the fix??).

[HeadlessHorseman]

Originally Posted by DakotaDocMartin

He got under the right front fender/bumper area and unplugged the rear washer motor. At least it won't be running continuously and I can use the front washer and everything else located on the Dash Control Unit (part number 4677617). I'm thinking that I will just leave it disabled now as the vehicle has 92K miles on it. I don't see buying a $407.00 part to fix it... IF that is the problem at all.

That's exactly what happened to me and exactly what I had to do to get it to stop. Ya know, if I hadn't spent 29K back in '96 to buy this pig new and another 9K-10K in repairs (including 3 "transmissions" @ $2,200 a pop) this would be hilarious. How does Dodge get away with this?

[BJGaffney]

Just read that I am not alone in my experience; having tried all the same diagnostics along the way plus pulling the dash panel containing the switch-which did not stop or reset the issue. So I too pulled the connection to the rear pump until I know for sure what causes this issue. I suspect an electrical issue as I smelled a 'heated wire' smell just after pressing the button and noticing the pump stayed engaged.

I'm at 218K miles having experienced most other common issues with this vehicle and replacing the trans and adding a trans cooler at 150K. All-in-all I'd consider another; though I continue to poll competing product owners about their experiences and may consider Hyundai for my next minivan.