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arboldt · 11-01-2022, 08:40 AM

(not sure which is the best forum for this)
While driving yesterday it began to mist and I turned on the wipers. Nothing.
Pulled over and checked the fuse (25A). Tested no continuity, so replaced it. Turned on the wipers and ... nothing. Tested this fuse and no continuity.
So hypothesis is the wiper motor is bad. Is there a way to test it and verify before I try to find a replacement? Or should I suspect other wiring?
2004 Newmar Mountain Aire 37' gas, Workhorse W22 chassis.
Thanks.

yeloduster · 11-01-2022, 09:09 AM

There should be a connector that connects the wiper motor to the coach wiper circuitry. Disconnect this connector and see if the fuse still blows. If the fuse still blows there is something wrong in the circuitry, if the fuse no longer blows suspect the motor.

Ray,IN · 11-01-2022, 09:26 AM

If your WW motor is bad, be sure to buy a replacement with the same NM torque rating.
Here is a list of suppliers for the truck and bus industry:

windshield wipers
https://www.amequipment.com/
https://midwestbusparts.com/?main_pa...x&cPath=21_339
https://www.wiperparts.com/
https://www.amequipment.com/rv-replacement-parts-guide
https://www.millsupply.com/stepvan-p...ld-wiper-arms/
https://american-bus-inc.com/wp-cont...arts-SMALL.pdf
https://www.wiperparts.com/pages/wha...-arm-do-i-need
Home

arboldt · 11-25-2022, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeloduster

There should be a connector that connects the wiper motor to the coach wiper circuitry. Disconnect this connector and see if the fuse still blows. If the fuse still blows there is something wrong in the circuitry, if the fuse no longer blows suspect the motor.

Forgive me for taking so long to follow this. We've been in one park since I originally posted, had a family emergency, ...
Anyway. Disconnected the wiper motor power connector. Checked a 25A fuse - had continuity. Put it in. When I turned on the key to check, I heard a faint snap. I turned on the wiper switch .. nothing. Checked with a VOM meter - no continuity, fuse is blown.

So it appears there's a wiring issue. Any suggestions on how to track that down?

donr103 · 11-25-2022, 03:24 PM

One idea I have.. if your dash raises .. is to disconnect harness at bottom of dash or steering column and retry fuse trick.. if you have tilt steering wheel.. some great members post.. that wiring can rub thru at tilt.. just a thought..
Good luck and keep us posted

flyboy013 · 11-25-2022, 07:25 PM

Another idea. Since the fuse keeps blowing, there’s obviously a short to ground. With the motor (and fuse) still disconnected I would test for continuity from the load side of the fuse holder to ground while the wiper switch is in the on position. I suspect the multimeter will show continuity. If your multimeter has a setting to emit a tone when there is continuity, I would put it on this setting and then trace the wires/harness. As you disconnect the various connectors, the continuity (and tone) will cease, help you isolate where the short may be. Also merely moving the wires may resolve the short and it would be obvious as the tone would stop.

arboldt · 11-25-2022, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donr103

One idea I have.. if your dash raises .. is to disconnect harness at bottom of dash or steering column and retry fuse trick.. if you have tilt steering wheel.. some great members post.. that wiring can rub thru at tilt.. just a thought..
Good luck and keep us posted

Hadn't thought about that. I'd been focusing on wiring under the hood. The fuse panel is the small one under the dashboard, attached on the left to a larger board by a screw. I was reluctant to take that off and twist it around to inspect the underside connections, but maybe I can.

When I tried a new fuse this afternoon, I think I heard a snap as soon as I turned the key on, before I could touch the switch, so it seemed logical the basic wiring connection was shorting, not at the column-stem switch. Does this sound logical?

We're in Brownsville TX for the winter, not planning on moving until next spring. It's been cold and raining here for over a week, forecast to continue. I'll do some of this checking when we get a dry day.
Thanks for your ideas. I'll post more after I can check things.

arboldt · 11-30-2022, 04:23 PM

Well, the problem is resolved thanks to a mobile mechanic in Brownsville.
Turns out there was a loose uncrimped wire at the wiper motor. The tech crimped it and it all works.
This is the second time this year we've experienced problems due to wires that were NOT crimped to their connectors. Last spring it was one of the wires to the BIRD. I found that one on my own, crimped it, and that system has worked fine since then.
I am perplexed that this is happening on an 18 year-old MH. I'd normally think wires just worked loose in this moving earthquake called a motor home, but when I saw the connectors that had not been crimped, I just wonder.