98 Voyager - wiper problem

[ggratecc]

Hi,
My 98 Plymouth Voyager has a windshield wiper problem that
comes and goes. The wipers always come on when I need them,
however, sometimes, when I turn the wiper control from the
"delay" setting to "off", the wipers continue wiping!

Another symptom is they stop in mid position (not the parked position).

Everytime I take it to the shop, they say there is nothing wrong.
This intermittant problem is driving my wife crazy!

I can tell you the "clock spring" has been replaced twice for
other reasons.
Does this sounds like the control lever or a relay problem?
thanks,

[Mr T]

Sounds like a issue in the parking circuit (in the wiper motor)

have they ever just gone off a single wipe while you are driving down the road?

When you go from delay to off, do they run in delay mode, or continuous? (may also be a failing switch)

[ggratecc]

Sounds like a issue in the parking circuit (in the wiper motor)

have they ever just gone off a single wipe while you are driving down the road?
I and wife don't recall that happening.


When you go from delay to off, do they run in delay mode, or continuous? (may also be a failing switch)
Wife is not sure, but she is sure about this...you have to turn the
control lever switch to off and on several times before the wipers
finally parked themselves.

Should I replace the lever switch assembly?

[Mr T]

turn your car off with the wipers in mid cycle (not near 'home').
turn the switch off/on/ect as you normally do to make them turn off.

Turn the key back on. if they dont move, your park system is screwed. If they reset and keep running, it still could be your park system, or the switch. At this point, troubleshooting could get complex without a wire diagram of your car.

Check your manual to see if you have more then 1 wiper fuse. Look at the fuses with many things listed. Your switch may be on one circuit (a control circuit), and the motor and park circuit could be on a under-hood power circuit. If you have this, it will make troubeshooting easier, but a voltmeter and basic electrical skills will be needed from here on.

[ggratecc]

Mr. T,
Thanks...I am going home to try the test you suggested.
I have a Chiltons for it also, so will review schematic tonight.
I'll reply back tomorrow morning.

Thanks to the US Navy for my basic electrical skills!

[ggratecc]

turn your car off with the wipers in mid cycle (not near 'home').
turn the switch off/on/ect as you normally do to make them turn off.
Turn the key back on. if they dont move, your park system is screwed.
I tried your suggestion above...no matter what I do, I can NOT get the wipers to stop in mid cycle...they always park in the "home" position!
It must be a feature of this wiper system to use the battery to park
the wipers even though the ignition is OFF.

Also, I spent 15 minutes trying to duplicate the original problem/symptom,
but I can't, the wiper controls worked perfectly for me.

Perhaps I will "shelve" this until such time the problem gets worse.
thank you Mr. T.

[Mr T]

Sounds like a switch issue.

If its a stick on your steering column, you may have to drop the column to get the switch out.

The part probably will be expensive. (especially if there are many things attached to the stick (turn signals, headlights, ect.)

You will be working near a air bag. Follow your shop manual's procedure to disable the bag system while you are working in the area. Air bag wiring is yellow, in a yellow loom, or has yellow plugs. Do not mess with any of this, even if the system is disabled. Certain volt meters can set your air bags off. This can injure you, and cause expensive repairs.

Good luck