My 1992 Dakota wipers work great in cold weather. In warm weather, they don't work at all. Does this sound like a relay problem? If so, where is it located? Thanks to anybody who knows the answer to this problem.

 

Think I would more suspect the circuit board in the wiper motor....... Is it actually getting power when it doesn't want to work?

 

Do you have intermittent wipers (deliberately intermittent), or just two speed wipers?

But basically, 12V is fed from the ignition switch; the intermittent wiper control module grounds the motor as does the park switch on the wiper motor when it's off park. Then when you turn it off, the park switch keeps the ground until the blades park, then the park switch opens turning the wiper motor OFF. There's also a high speed ground for the fast wipers.

You need to check 12V into the wiper motor when it's not working, and check for a connection to ground when the wiper is turned on.

RwP

 

Thank you for responding. This vehicle does have actual intermittent wipers as well as the two speed system. I replaced the wiper motor so I don't think it's a circuit board problem (unless the new motor has a problem, too).

I checked the 12 volts into the motor and it checks out fine.

When the weather is cold, the intermittent system works in all modes. In warm weather, intermittent may give one or two swipes and then nothing. I'm wondering if the contacts are expanding or contracting causing a hit-and -miss situation.

If it IS the control module, where is it located?

 

For most years (including a 1992!), it's behind the mono speaker grill; well, actually, it's attached to the driver's side tab of the metal grill.

Remove the kick panel, and it should be right there.

For a 1992, the module is a 4503104 in case you have to go hunting for one.

I find them used on Ebay easily enough.

But - if it quits when it's warm, but works when it's cold, I'd remove the housing and hit all the solder joints in case one's failed on you.

(Does the low and high speed work, or not?) If it helps any, in the factory service manual, it's about page 462, or 8W-79 for the paper copy.)

RwP

 

The low and high speed works like the intermittent; yes in cold, no in warm weather. I did find the module on eBay and sent away for it. Let's hope this does the trick. If not, it was cheap enough and I'll go from there.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

Go back on Ebay, and locate the Chrysler Factory Service Manual for your truck also. I see one that's under $20 delivered.

Or if you prefer electronic copies, check http://www.autobooksbishko.com and pick up the CD with the PDF.

Or not; but it'll have the wiring diagrams and the test trees to locate problems quicker and easier.

RwP

 

I sent away for the Service Manual. Good idea... Thanks!