Windshield Washer Fluid & Wipers Won't Turn Off - 2008 GT
06-08-2016, 10:16 PM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 53
Windshield Washer Fluid & Wipers Won't Turn Off - 2008 GT
So I just encountered a problem today with my 2008 Mustang GT that I've never seen before. I looked around for a while online for a thread that might have a similar issue, but none were the same situation.
When I turn the car on or even just to to the ON position, the washer fluid sprays non-stop and the wipers continuously wipe.
What I have tried:
-Pulling fuse under the hood and putting back in
-Pulling fuse in passenger footwell fuse box and putting it back in
-Disconnecting battery for a few minutes and reconnecting
I do not see a relay that corresponds to either component, but maybe I'm overlooking something?
Messing with the wiper controls does nothing. It does not change the speed of the wipers or stop them from wiping.
I resorted to pulling the electrical connector off the washer fluid pump and pulling the fuse for the wipers so I could actually drive. Any suggestions as to what I could do to fix this would be greatly appreciated.
When I turn the car on or even just to to the ON position, the washer fluid sprays non-stop and the wipers continuously wipe.
What I have tried:
-Pulling fuse under the hood and putting back in
-Pulling fuse in passenger footwell fuse box and putting it back in
-Disconnecting battery for a few minutes and reconnecting
I do not see a relay that corresponds to either component, but maybe I'm overlooking something?
Messing with the wiper controls does nothing. It does not change the speed of the wipers or stop them from wiping.
I resorted to pulling the electrical connector off the washer fluid pump and pulling the fuse for the wipers so I could actually drive. Any suggestions as to what I could do to fix this would be greatly appreciated.
06-09-2016, 02:41 PM
#2
Gentleman's Relish
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: AZ
Posts: 13,090
So I just encountered a problem today with my 2008 Mustang GT that I've never seen before. I looked around for a while online for a thread that might have a similar issue, but none were the same situation.
When I turn the car on or even just to to the ON position, the washer fluid sprays non-stop and the wipers continuously wipe.
What I have tried:
-Pulling fuse under the hood and putting back in
-Pulling fuse in passenger footwell fuse box and putting it back in
-Disconnecting battery for a few minutes and reconnecting
I do not see a relay that corresponds to either component, but maybe I'm overlooking something?
Messing with the wiper controls does nothing. It does not change the speed of the wipers or stop them from wiping.
I resorted to pulling the electrical connector off the washer fluid pump and pulling the fuse for the wipers so I could actually drive. Any suggestions as to what I could do to fix this would be greatly appreciated.
When I turn the car on or even just to to the ON position, the washer fluid sprays non-stop and the wipers continuously wipe.
What I have tried:
-Pulling fuse under the hood and putting back in
-Pulling fuse in passenger footwell fuse box and putting it back in
-Disconnecting battery for a few minutes and reconnecting
I do not see a relay that corresponds to either component, but maybe I'm overlooking something?
Messing with the wiper controls does nothing. It does not change the speed of the wipers or stop them from wiping.
I resorted to pulling the electrical connector off the washer fluid pump and pulling the fuse for the wipers so I could actually drive. Any suggestions as to what I could do to fix this would be greatly appreciated.
Here's the SJB layout
http://blog.autopartscheaper.com/wp-...13/01/sjb2.jpg
Fuse F2.3
06-09-2016, 07:35 PM
#3
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 53
The circuit is probably shorted to ground somewhere, owners manual will have a layout of the fuses in the engine bay and the passenger side kick panel (SJB).
Here's the SJB layout
http://blog.autopartscheaper.com/wp-...13/01/sjb2.jpg
Fuse F2.3
Here's the SJB layout
http://blog.autopartscheaper.com/wp-...13/01/sjb2.jpg
Fuse F2.3
Could it be possible that the switch is stuck in the on position? That's something else I was thinking about since both the fluid and wipers come on, not just one or the other.
06-13-2016, 03:30 PM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 53
I found another thread with a similar issue where water had gotten to the wiper motor. It could potentially mess up the connector (corrosion) or the actual electronics of the motor.
I will follow up on this later.
I will follow up on this later.
06-13-2016, 05:51 PM
#5
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 53
Well, I went and started my car today to move it to a shaded area to work under. During the 30 second drive, I found out that the wipers lost 100% functionality (fuse was put back in) and the A/C shut off after about 20 seconds. That was followed by a nice electrical burning smell coming into the cab from the engine compartment. Sure enough, fuse is blown in the SJB (blower motor and wiper motor fuse). I'm not worried about it though as my aim was to remove the wiper motor before anything else.
Took off my wiper cowls and wipers with the help of a puller. This is what I found the driver side drain looking like.
Got that all cleaned off and put back in.
As I'm doing this, I can see small amount of smoke coming out of the wiper motor. Wouldn't you know it, water got past the rubber seal and into the wiper motor.
And here is what the electrical board looks like after a little contact with water and burn.
One connector, which I assume is the ground, has corrosion on it, but that is easy enough to clean off.
I have a practically new motor on the way. $30 shipped off eBay with only 3 miles on the motor from LKQ. Once I replace the motor and fuse, all should be well. Hopefully this helps anyone who runs into this issue in the future. I love my Mustang, but I don't love Ford at the moment for the poor design.
Took off my wiper cowls and wipers with the help of a puller. This is what I found the driver side drain looking like.
Got that all cleaned off and put back in.
As I'm doing this, I can see small amount of smoke coming out of the wiper motor. Wouldn't you know it, water got past the rubber seal and into the wiper motor.
And here is what the electrical board looks like after a little contact with water and burn.
One connector, which I assume is the ground, has corrosion on it, but that is easy enough to clean off.
I have a practically new motor on the way. $30 shipped off eBay with only 3 miles on the motor from LKQ. Once I replace the motor and fuse, all should be well. Hopefully this helps anyone who runs into this issue in the future. I love my Mustang, but I don't love Ford at the moment for the poor design.
06-13-2016, 05:57 PM
#6
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: TX
Posts: 53
Oh and I'll also be adding some dielectric grease when reinstalling. I don't anticipate this happening again since I'll be checking the drain plugs more often though.
I'd recommend you check yours as well if you're reading this. There is one on the driver and passenger side. They can be taken out without removing the wiper cowls. Driver side is right by the rear of the cam cover. Passenger side is below the cam cover closer to the exhaust manifold. Do this when the car is cooled off to eliminate the risk of burning yourself.
I'd recommend you check yours as well if you're reading this. There is one on the driver and passenger side. They can be taken out without removing the wiper cowls. Driver side is right by the rear of the cam cover. Passenger side is below the cam cover closer to the exhaust manifold. Do this when the car is cooled off to eliminate the risk of burning yourself.
06-15-2016, 02:21 PM
#8
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Posts: 53
Thanks! When I first got the car, the passenger side actually had that problem. Luckily I caught it prior to it causing any damage thanks to the abundance of threads covering that.
03-04-2019, 09:07 AM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1
Root cause of wiper motor running continuously
Folks,
Daughter's 2010 Mustang had this issue. Read the forums and tried disconnecting the multi-function switch, motor still runs.
Removed the windshield wipers and motor assembly and found water in the plug and wiper motor controller that is integral to the wiper motor. Tried to dry it out and warm it up only changed symptoms. Changed out for new Motorcraft part now all is good. FYI, note there is a drain located just below the wiper motor to drain rain water from the area. My drain was clogged with leaves and I had a definite water line around the area. Don't just change the motor without checking the drain.
Daughter's 2010 Mustang had this issue. Read the forums and tried disconnecting the multi-function switch, motor still runs.
Removed the windshield wipers and motor assembly and found water in the plug and wiper motor controller that is integral to the wiper motor. Tried to dry it out and warm it up only changed symptoms. Changed out for new Motorcraft part now all is good. FYI, note there is a drain located just below the wiper motor to drain rain water from the area. My drain was clogged with leaves and I had a definite water line around the area. Don't just change the motor without checking the drain.
