Wipers dead

[nixonrules]

Any help is greatly appreciated.......

I've got a 99 Town and Country that is having wiper problems. The wipers will not work in any position, however, everything else in the multifunction switch does work. Here is what I've done so far:

1) Tested the wiper motor- GOOD
2) Tested the multifunction switch per the service manual- GOOD
3) Replaced both the wiper motor and multifunction switches with known good units (just in case). Wipers still will not work.
4) Checked the grounds in the the entire circuit

The only thing I've not been able to test is the BCM. There is a MUX circuit going into the BCM from the multifunction switch which I assume is the control voltage. There is also a "Wiper Park Sense" wire on the wiper motor that has a constant 5V going to it.

The biggest problem I have is not knowing what the control voltages are supposed to be. Should I just bite the bullet and replace the BCM? I don't see what else could be wrong?? Thanks in advance!

-Andrew

PS- forgot to add that I just replaced the battery with a new one a couple weeks ago.

[cbwilsha]

Andrew, you have done an awful lot of work but I can't see where you have checked the following:

Front Wiper Fuse 30 Amp

Front Wiper On Relay

Front Wiper Hi/Lo Relay

All of these are located in the Integrated Power Module under the hood on the Driver's side. There are other circuits using the same so easy to substitute and test.

Good Luck.

C.B.

[nixonrules]

Thanks CB. I should have mentioned that I did check the relays and fuses (including those on the junction block in front of the BCM). Anything else i can check?

Originally Posted by cbwilsha

Andrew, you have done an awful lot of work but I can't see where you have checked the following:

Front Wiper Fuse 30 Amp

Front Wiper On Relay

Front Wiper Hi/Lo Relay

All of these are located in the Integrated Power Module under the hood on the Driver's side. There are other circuits using the same so easy to substitute and test.

Good Luck.

C.B.

[cbwilsha]

You've done such a thorough job, Andrew, I'm afraid I have nothing to add. And I agree with you, about all that's left is the BCM unless there is a wiring problem somewhere between the Multi-Function switch and the wipers.

Hopefully, someone more knowlegeable will chime in here soon.

C.B.

[RIP]

Might be something in this that might help. Take note of the change to wiper systems starting with 1998 models stated nearer the bottom.
http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogs.../label/Caravan

[nixonrules]

Originally Posted by RIP

Might be something in this that might help. Take note of the change to wiper systems starting with 1998 models stated nearer the bottom.
http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogs.../label/Caravan

some great tips here and much easier to follow than the service manual. i'll check it out this evening. thanks!

[nixonrules]

To close the loop on this discussion.......

I was able to replace the BCM with a unit out of wreck and this DID fix the wiper problem. Furthermore, the replacement BCM came out of the same year and model as mine and was virtually plug and play- everything worked without any tweaking. I didn't even need to reprogram the key fob.

The one thing I'll need to do is have the mileage rolled back since the replacement was ~280k miles and the original was ~140k.

One note, the last digit of the replacement BCM differed from my original (the replacement had a "E", the original had a "D"). I assume that maybe this is the revision number of the box.

Thanks again for all the tips. Hopefully this info will help someone else with this problem.

[cbwilsha]

Glad to hear all is well, Andrew, and thank you very much for posting back with your results which probably will help someone else.

C.B.

[RIP]

Ditto, on the return post. Too many don't. You did. Thanks from all of us.

I think the letter suffix on the BCM part number indicates the software version loaded. If all your accessories are working fine you got a D to E upgrade for your trouble. FYI - Many run into major problems when trying to find used BCMs that work perfectly. You are blessed.

[Steven Ashley]

Hi,

The main reason for failure of wiper blade might be disconnections in the wirings. Check the wiring connections from switch.