front wipers only work on high

msmith97TJ · Jun 16, 2005

THis happened several years ago - 97 TJ
I remember exactly when this happened -- I was up at the pass snowboarding, and left my wipers in the on position when I turned my car off. When I started
it up, the wipers were frozen to the windshield, but were attempting to be moved of course. From then on, they only worked on high. Previous to this I had blown several wiper fuses within a short period of time. Does this sound like all the same problem? Or maybe an exposed wire somewhere caused the initial blown fuses, then the motor went bad from turning on with the wiper blades frozen to the windshield?
THanks...

Rocky529 · Jun 16, 2005

Sounds like you burned the motor out...

RnEmOvr · Jun 16, 2005

Rocky0529 said:
Sounds like you burned the motor out...

i disagree, sounds more of a bad wiper relay. if it was motor then it wouldnt work at all, try replacing the relay first, dont ask where it is i dunno, but it a cheap fix, maybe 2-3 bucks if that dont work then try motor

Rocky529 · Jun 16, 2005

dzntzhellfire said:
i disagree, sounds more of a bad wiper relay. if it was motor then it wouldnt work at all, try replacing the relay first, dont ask where it is i dunno, but it a cheap fix, maybe 2-3 bucks if that dont work then try motor

Hmm could be right now that I think about it. On my dad's YJ, the wipers were able to be moved freely by hand and the motor just turned on at all speeds without anything happening. Good idea

msmith97TJ · Jun 17, 2005

dug around for a bit...can't find the right relay anywhere near the steering column, or in the relay\fuse box in the engine compartment

looks like I'll need the FSM

RnEmOvr · Jun 17, 2005

i was hoping someone would say where it was, i can look in my haynes manual and let you know where it is if you want

msmith97TJ · Jun 17, 2005

well I think I found the switch in the FSM....its a multi function switch buried in the steering column that
has the following connections:

1 Ground
2 Wiper Park Sense
3 Washer Pump Control Switch Output
4 Low speed Switch Output
5 Fused Ignition Switch Ouput (RUN/ACC)
6 Wiper Switch High Speed Output

AM I correct to assume this is the "relay" I should be looking
for, or is there something else?

JFM626 · Jun 17, 2005

Two speed motors incorporate a third brush, power is switched to this brush when you require the higher speed. It would be my guess that when the wiper was frozen to the windscreen you had it on low speed. as a result you have probably melted the solder holding the brush to the windings. This would result in no current getting to the brush; therefore no low speed. Or the spring holding the brush in its holder got very hot and no longer holds the brush against the armature. I don't know if you can dismantle one of these wipers to repair same, but might be worth a try. Be prepared to shell out the money for a new one though.

r_w · Jun 17, 2005

msmith97TJ said:
THis happened several years ago - 97 TJ
I remember exactly when this happened -- I was up at the pass snowboarding, and left my wipers in the on position when I turned my car off. When I started
it up, the wipers were frozen to the windshield, but were attempting to be moved of course. From then on, they only worked on high. Previous to this I had blown several wiper fuses within a short period of time. Does this sound like all the same problem? Or maybe an exposed wire somewhere caused the initial blown fuses, then the motor went bad from turning on with the wiper blades frozen to the windshield?
THanks...

Don't know what kind of controller the front motor has, but good designs have a stall cut out. If the controller senses overcurrent due to heavy load, it will shut down. It should do that before blowing the fuse. If it doesn't work right, the electronics can nuke. Standard practice is to have high speed be a pass through function, so even if the controller nukes you get high speed.

This is all pure speculation....

Edit: I read the post above about the motor brushes, and if you have a two speed like my TJ with no intermittent's, etc., he's probably a lot closer (wouldn't be an electronic controller)

msmith97TJ · Jun 17, 2005

I have intermittent...the intermittent relay is built right into the main wiper switch. Luckily for me the FSM says that neither the motor, or the switch are repairable, if any function (high, low, intermittent, washer motor) breaks you have to replace the whole unit....looking more and more like I should just let a good mechanic deal with this since the motor or the switch is gonna cost a bunch anyways...suck

philipfsu · Jun 22, 2005

Had the same problem with my 97 TJ. They will eventually start getting stuck and it will most likely happen in the most extreme conditions. Your best bet and cheapest fix would be to find a used wiper system out of a 97-05 TJ from a Junk Yard like I did. Ended up costing 75.00 instead of a couple hundred from Jeep. Also I watched the guy do the work and I myself could have changed the system out it is that easy! I know just about all there is to know about YJ and TJ's but couldn't change a headlight bulb!

front wipers only work on high

msmith97TJ

Rocky529

RnEmOvr

Rocky529

msmith97TJ

RnEmOvr

msmith97TJ

JFM626

r_w

msmith97TJ

philipfsu

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