Shop Volkswagen Cabrio Wiper Switches

Angela - nobody has been by yet so I'll struggle with some ideas. Since it was like this when you got it you nor we can have any clues from any history most likely.


OK - So the guesses and reading thru what I think you meant (correct that if wrong) is wipers will quit if you shut them off while running THEN shut off car they'll stay off - right? Otherwise they just stay on?


That's what I'm basing guesses on. Washer motors usually trigger wipers to stay on so anything that makes it think washers were requested that failed could be the source issue. At the multifunction switch or slight maybe a stuck relay but tend to think the switch.


A real maybe for quick temporary fix. If you can find the washer motor that must have failed if it was enabled and run dry by now for unknown time unplug it. That just might allow wipers to quit but have not washers and probably don't now - right?


Sorry - best I can guess from here on this issue,


T

Ok, to test the wiper system you have to make sure that your meter's black lead is connected to battery negative at the battery terminal itself. This is the common reference ground point for all the electrical circuits. Any circuit voltage testing that you do the meter has to be connected to a known good ground or else you'll get inaccurate results. The only time you would want to use both leads to measure something in a circuit is if your doing a voltage drop measurement across a component, connector, or section of wiring, measuring amperage, or measuring continuity.

Next, you need to have the circuit operational to test it properly. With the connector unplugged all your seeing is open source voltage. If you have a resistance problem you won't see it measuring open source voltage because there is no current flow. You need to back probe the connector, with it plugged in and circuit turned on, at each circuit with your meter's red lead.

Write down the voltages you see on each of those wires.

Ok, big difference. I did it the way you said...
I'm only getting voltage at the tan/red wire and it's constantly moving around. It ranges from .25 - .69 volts. I tried all the different wiper selections and the readings are about the same.

You don't have ~12 volts sitting on either the red/yellow or brown/white wires with wipers on high or low?

If not, find the wiper high/low relay in the power distribution center. Put your finger on it and then have someone turn the wipers on high and low. You should feel the relay click each time the switch is put to high and low.

yeah, that's correct. I don't have voltage at any of the wires except the tan & red wire. And it's less than a volt.


It only clicks when I move it to high and then to the next lowest setting. Any settings below those two and it doesn't make a peep.

Nope. There's no click coming from any of the relays when I turn the switch from on to off or vice versa.


BCM?

Check fuse number 18 (40 amp) in the power distribution box.

There's no fuse in that slot.

Should be one in there according to the diagram

I don't know what to say. I guess someone stole it. Maybe not all Sebrings have that fuse. There's several other slots in the relay control center that don't have fuses in them.


Should I try a jumper wire to see if it makes the wiper motor come on? If you think I should, please give me some pointers on how to do it safely.

Fuse 17 is for the convertible top. You could move the one from there to the Fuse 18 slot.

The only slots that have 40 amp fuses are: 1,4,5,6,7,12 14 and 16. Could I try any of these fuses?
And what does your info say that slot 18 is for?

Ok, I see.
Can you tell if any of the fuses I've listed above would be okay to try out in slot 18?

This is a 2005 convertible right? Why are your fuses missing?

It's not a convertible.

Sedan eh? The wiper schematics are the same for sedan and convertible. The fuse blocks are the same also. Fuse 17 location should be empty though. You could use ABS fuse 15 (if it has ABS) for testing. You could use fuse 12, but if it blows for some odd reason you won't have any radiator fans.

Where did you find a diagram that has all the fuses and relays labeled for this car?
I've searched online but came up empty handed.

I'm an automotive tech that has access to repair information.

I see.
I'll try the radiator fan fuse in the morning and let you know how it goes.

I'm not a sales person or anything, but check out ALLDataDIY.

That was it!! I can't believe after all I've been through it was only a missing fuse.


Within the Fuse & Relay Center there's several empty slots.
-37
-33
-31
-13
-15
-17
-18 (obviously this one)
-3
Which of these - if any - should I fill?

its Sunday -
My colleague shouldn't mind me adding to post-
you are asking about missing fuses- have you removed any fuses after the wiper failure?

I will look at the wiring BUT - important to know- is there a REMOTE starter?
Anything else not working?

Its Sunday so getting access to work computer for diagrams is not happening.

the wipers operated before - you did not remove fuse #18 - likely was not there before - agree?
SO logic would say looking in wrong place -

lets try this temporary hail mary reset- the key MUST be in your pocket NEVER in ignition switch- in fuse box remove the #5 fuse should have a black clip securing it*
- remove say a prayer @ 15 seconde- THEN REINSTALL - did you hear a clicking sound ?



*squeeze ears to remove cover if still there

This thread reads like some mystery novel


Ok - who moved or stole fuse #18? Other slots missing fuses but everything works>>?? Ahhhh - generally for features the car doesn't have or sometimes a spare slot and box/panel is used in assorted cars?


Owner's Manual should show the panel like the post Discretesignals posted and that should give locations by # and what it's for.


About now it might be a good idea to check that fuses are all in place and the correct amps as it seems they can move themselves they should go where they belong.


If all is back in order and working there isn't much more to do but wonder why a fuse get lost like this??????????????????


T

Ok - who moved or stole fuse #18?

Mrs Peacock with the candlestick in the Billiard Room?

Oh my! Just wake up for the night and this! DS it was Col. Mustard in the Conservatory. Bet I have that dang game board somewhere knee deep in dust.
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608045907667454755&w=189&h=188&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7


Again, with little to go on it would be nice to know (no chance at software from me which goes where) they are all in place. Look back at that diagram and if there's a fuse in a slot with only one terminal it really can't be doing anything. PLEASE DON'T OVERFUSE ANYTHING!


Cover's on that panel may say perhaps in acronyms which goes where and not uncommon to include a few spares and even a tweezer to pull them ].


Again, again - with everything working with this mystery just would like to know there isn't some 40A fuse in for something (circuit) requiring lots less and burn this car up if something went wrong for real.


Mopars {{Chrysler Motors}} doesn't historically do some funky things electrically or have seen such. Said the panel box could fit a # of different vehicles so empty spots don't mean much.


Been done with all this for a long time now. Fewer Mopars than other makes came my way. I'd probably look again at the Owner's Manual and no surprise if nothing in it but just that fuse #s and Amps, capacities, service intervals and more should be in any or what is it for?


Has this vehicle been messed with other than this? Seriously, I don't know what else to say on this,


T


PS: Print this out and fill in what belongs where.........

Problem solved. And maybe the mystery too.
The wipers weren't working at all when I went in to see what he problem was. So the fuse was already in the wrong cavity before I popped the hood. I'm certain of this because the wiper switch and motor both work.
The only thing I can think of is that when the alternator and battery were going south (end of last month) I might have pulled 18 then and put it back in slot 5 by mistake. But that seems unlikely because you don't even have to pull these fuses to inspect them. They have a window right on top and I've known this. And I'm not the type to just pull fuses at random. But hey, I'm only human so you never know. ;)

For whatever reason it has been found and fixed. Still not sure who went out and mixed things up on you for sure (wink) but let it be.


I'll close up this thread as solved so it doesn't get spammed out later. YOU can ask any moderator to reopen it if you wish,


T

I'll give Mulder and Scully a call. Maybe they can figure this out...

What's slot #5 for. I think I can steal the fuse from there and use it at #18. I pulled it out and it only has one terminal that the fuse plugs into to. I guess it's safe to say that it's just a spare?


And I've checked the owner's manual but it doesn't give info regarding what's what in the Fuse & Relay Center.

I can just wait until tomorrow then. I'm kind of afraid to try what you mentioned because I don't have that much experience working on cars. And plus I took fuse #6 out and put in @ #18 and the wipers are working fine.

No, I haven't removed any fuses since the wiper failure. And there's no remote starter. And as far as I know everything else on the car is working fine. I just need to know what happened to the fuse that was in slot #18 because if it simply got moved to another slot then all I have to do is move it back.