Wipers won't turn off!

Spiderman of Calgary · 07-31-2007, 03:14 PM

We have a 2002 Dolphin LX on a W-22 chassis. We also have a problem with the windshield wipers. I've done a search on both the National RV and this forum and couldn't find any relevant hits.

The problem is that as we drive through a light rain and the wipers are on some level of "mist" all of a sudden they speed up to the normal "low" setting and from that time forward we can't turn them off! And, I'm fairly positive that my rig doesn't have automagic, rain-sensing wipers. Eventually, some time after it stops raining they'll turn off.

This has happened quite often, and last fall we finally got sick of these shenanigans and took the rig into a Workhorse certified repair facility in Surrey, BC. They replaced the switch/control on the steering column to the tune of CDN $497.43! It seemed to work just fine all last winter, but when we finally ended up in Indiana and later Michigan last spring the problem returned.

I was pretty bummed! But what could I do? We merely live with it.

Then, this summer I had an otherwise unrelated problem with the antifreeze reservoir and was washing the inside of the front engine compartment (the engine compartment is divided into two portions, one accessible from the front and the rear accessible through the "doghouse" in the coach) when, to my amazement, the windshield wipers came on again! No one had been near the control on the steering column. So, somewhere under the front of the motorhome there is some sort of wiring harness or relay that's water sensitive.

Does anyone have any idea where I should start looking to solve this problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

DriVer · 07-31-2007, 03:26 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Spiderman of Calgary:
Does anyone have any idea where I should start looking to solve this problem? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I have had success by simply un-connecting the modular plug at the wiper motor and cycling the connector on and off a number of times. The self cleaning contacts work against one another by the scraping motion. I believe that the connection to the wiper motor including the ground makes better connectivity between the modular plug and the motor receptacle after the process is complete.

This was the least expensive fix I accomplished on my MH and the wipers have been problem free since. I'm also thinking that a silicone based "dielectric" grease may also be an effective barrier toward corrosion and moisture.

The 1st rule of resolving "any" problem on a 12 volt system is to assure an adequate ground.

Joe Gilbert · 07-31-2007, 03:29 PM

I've been there - done that. On my 2004 Dolphin the problem seemed to be with the multi pin connector located under the hood (front access).

Open the hood and look or feel dead center, straight up, just out of normal view, above the opening. The wipper moter is here and there is a very short cord and than a multi-pin plug. I had some success with tapeing a sandwich bag over the plug to keep the water out. A better answer, and complete cure in my case, was to add "bulb-type" weather stripping around the hood opening such that when you close the hood it becomes water tight. I even spray painted the black weather srtipping white (still looks perfect a year latter). I purchased the sitck-on weather stripping at an "Auto-Zone" store.

Good luck.

DriVer · 07-31-2007, 03:40 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Joe Gilbert:
I had some success with taping a sandwich bag over the plug to keep the water out. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Joe, I really don't subscribe to installing a bag type covering over an electrical connection because as tight as you can make the enclosure around the plug in time it will simply collect moisture that won't easily vent. This will indeed promote corrosion.

The OEM configuration regarding open connectors is a better methodology since any moisture will in time evaporate.

I believe that the immediate concern is corrosion and assuring both connectivity and a clean path to ground.

Joe Gilbert · 07-31-2007, 03:44 PM

I agree completely. I removed the bag when I added the weatherstripping. Having said that using the bag did allow me to complete my first long trip in my Dolphin.

Bill Davis · 07-31-2007, 05:02 PM

This happened to me about two weeks ago going up the Oregon Coast in the rain. I think I wrote about it. This has been discussed in the past, and is one of the issues I will run past National RV management at their Getaway, next week in Pendelton, OR.

**"007"** · 07-31-2007, 05:14 PM

Wiper problems
Weather strip has been there for three years solved water into engine and wiper problems.

Cacti · 08-02-2007, 04:04 PM

I have a 2006 Traillite W18. I live in Arizona where it rains very seldom. My wipers come on by them self on a sunny day and will not turn off. I have pulled over and disconnected them on several occasions. They have come on at 200 and sometimes as much as 700 miles from home.

Davel · 08-02-2007, 04:31 PM

Spiderman,
Had the same problem. One of the pins in the connector was not installed/seated properly. After replacing the motor, etc. a competent tech fixed it.

Dave

DriVer · 08-02-2007, 05:25 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Davel:
... a competent tech fixed it.... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Davel, That's the ticket!

VTBob · 08-02-2007, 05:34 PM

Spiderman - I had the same problem and solved it by applying silicone on the wiper motor connections. Just follow the motor to the connector and use a good silicone to seal the wires. Apply the silicone to the outside of the white connectors filling the holes. Moisture shorts out the connection causing the wipers to stay on.

Joe Gilbert · 08-03-2007, 02:20 PM

Actually National RV already did this. The connector to the wiper motor on my Dolphin was packed full of silicon grease. This did not stop water from getting into the connector. The correct solution is to stop the water from getting to the motor/connector. Again the 3M weatherstripping is the best solution and very easy to accomplish. Note: This may only be a solution for the National Dolphin.

Bagman57 · 08-03-2007, 02:40 PM

I had this exact same problem and a friend of mine from Grand Jct., Colorado named "Bassman" grabbed this stuff called electrical grease and he put it on all the electrical connection and I haven't had a problem since. He did this mid-March 2006. Bagman.