97 Rear Wiper - Assistance Needed

[Small Axe]

To all those who read and/or respond, thanks in advance. I tried to search for related posts, but I couldn't locate anything that would help.

First, some background:
I have a 1997 S-10 Blazer which had a malfunctioning rear wiper. The cause of the malfunction was the worn gear/teeth within the wiper mechanism itself.

Whenever I'd accidentally turn on the rear wiper, it would make a horrendous grinding noise, forcing me to turn it off. Recently, I noticed that the switch was on, but no noise was coming from the wiper, and that the wiper and motor appear to have died. This could have been on for days, weeks, or months.

Now the problem:
I recently went to the junkyard to pick up a replacement motor, and installed it. The wiper itself was in good shape. The problem was that when I attempted to turn it on, nothing happened. No electronic noises, no movement, no grinding...nothing.

I tried using the electronics from the old motor and the "new" motor, but neither seemed to work. I used test light on the 4-wire harness which plugs into the wiper mechanism. (The black I assume is negative). The white wire had power when the switch was on; the green wire had power when the switch was in the "wash" position; and the orange wire had no power at any time.

None of the wires on the five-wire harness (on the output side of the enclosed circuit board) had any power at any time.

Since I didn't think I could hurt anything at this point, with the both of the harnesses plugged in, I jumped the orange wire (from the four-wire harness) and heard clicking from within the enclosed circuit board. The wiper din not move or anything though.

I also used a test lamp on the switch, and everything seemed fine. All my other lamps, switches, and gauges appear fine, and there are no fuses (on the panel on the side of the dash) which appear to be blown.

Does anyone know where I should look next? Maybe the wiper motor's circuit board? I was thininkg that, but the issue with no power to the orange wire or the 5-wire harness concerns me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Small Axe]

Could anyone provide me with wiring diagrams?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hate to take it to the stealership.

[rlith]

Originally Posted by Small Axe

Could anyone provide me with wiring diagrams?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hate to take it to the stealership.

Here is the rear wiper switch control itself, and the motor connector.

By the looks of it and your description, the main power feed (orange). That is fused 12v that should come on when in the run or acc position.

[KHFINLAY]

I see that the orange has no voltage. This should be hot at all times (12V). Check the fusebox under the hood for a bad fuse possibly #39

[Small Axe]

Originally Posted by KHFINLAY

I see that the orange has no voltage. This should be hot at all times (12V). Check the fusebox under the hood for a bad fuse possibly #39

I looked for a fuse box in the engine bay, but I couldn't find one. The only fuse panel I know of the vehicle is the one on the side of the dash, however, that doesn't seem like it would be the only one.

Thanks again.

[KHFINLAY]

Originally Posted by Small Axe

I looked for a fuse box in the engine bay, but I couldn't find one. The only fuse panel I know of the vehicle is the one on the side of the dash, however, that doesn't seem like it would be the only one.

Thanks again.

I have a 98 and it has a big fuseboxrelay center inside the engine compartment drivers side on the firewall. It has a round blacp plastic screw in the middle. You have to take off this screw to see the fuses inside. There must be another fuse box somewhere because this is where the big 2" looking 60 Amp starter, ignition battery fuses are. I know there is some writing on it but dont remember what it says. Next time I go outside I will take a look and possibly a picture of it. From what I recall it is aboit 7inch by 7inch square. Smack in the center is a black plastic button type screw thingy. You have to screw this off to get to the fuses and relays. Ill get a pic and post later if you still dont know where it is.

[rlith]

KHFINLAY: 95-97 don't have the fusebox inside the engine compartment like the 98+. The only fuse box is to the left of the dash.

[Small Axe]

Thanks for the update. I was worried I was missing something.

I pulled every fuse (in the side dash panel) and examined them, but they all appeared to be fine.

Now I am wondering if there was a short (damaged wire) somewhere towards the rear of the vehicle.

Does anyone know if there are any in-line fuses, or other fuse locations?

As mentioned before, everything else seems to work - all the lighting, etc. It just seems odd that there is no power going to this one orange wire...

[KHFINLAY]

since the orange wire should be hot at all times, did you try running 12v from the battery or some other source to the orange wire and see it it works? If that works you are in business.

[Small Axe]

Problem Solved!!!!

I ended up having to take out all the carpeting and seats, but found the problem under the carpet on the driver's side. Apparently, the previous owner had done some lectrical work and neglected to put the wires inside the protective plastic channel. Somehow, something chafed tht eorange wire, and there was copper corrosion all around it. I cut out the bad section, coupled it with a crimp connector and it works fine now!!!

Thanks to everyone for their help!