Rear Windshield Wiper Problem - Land Rovers Only

DevynsDad · 09-03-2006, 10:09 AM

Okay, so about three weeks ago my wife managed to leave the interior light on overnight, and my battery died. I jumped it and haven't had any problems with the battery, but now my rear windshield wiper won't shut off, and the interior lights stay on all the time (which may have happened before the battery died, which is why they stayed on to begin with).

I've cleaned the rear wiper switch, the light switches in the doors frames, and the interior light switch on the dash and it hasn't done any good. My short-term solution has been to pull the fuses, which obviously isn't the best way to take care of this.

Does anyone have any idea what would cause both of these things to go full-on all the time? Do they share a power source somewhere?

RageRover · 09-03-2006, 03:21 PM

It could be the relay for the rear windshield wiper motor is stuck in the ON position. Not a common thing, but it can happen.

Also look at a wiring diagram for the rear windshield wiper motor to see if it is tied into any other circuits. It could also be the motor is getting power from something else tied to its circuit.

heiff · 09-29-2006, 06:22 PM

I had a similar problem with mine - after doing exactly the same thing (running the battery dead by leaving the interior lights on). The circuit is mind-bogglingly complex, and I now know way, way more about it than I ever wanted to!

Try the following:

(1) Sit in the driver's seat, with all doors closed, and the ignition off (courtesy light should also be off). Can you operate the power seat?

(2) Next, switch on the ignition. Do the courtesy lights turn ON?

If the answer to both of these questions is "yes", then an in-line diode has fried. When the ignition is on, the diode stops ground from backfeeding into the courtesy and rear wiper circuit. Normally, failure of the diode would inhibit the rear wiper from working altogether, but since you're experiencing exactly the opposite (wiper on all the time, regardless of switch position), I suspect the control module itself has also failed in some way (as Pat referred to in his post above).

I have a '92 diagram of this circuit I can email you if you need it.

09-03-2006, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
DevynsDad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 206 Gallery: 0	Rear Windshield Wiper Problem Okay, so about three weeks ago my wife managed to leave the interior light on overnight, and my battery died. I jumped it and haven't had any problems with the battery, but now my rear windshield wiper won't shut off, and the interior lights stay on all the time (which may have happened before the battery died, which is why they stayed on to begin with). I've cleaned the rear wiper switch, the light switches in the doors frames, and the interior light switch on the dash and it hasn't done any good. My short-term solution has been to pull the fuses, which obviously isn't the best way to take care of this. Does anyone have any idea what would cause both of these things to go full-on all the time? Do they share a power source somewhere? __________________ 1990 Range Rover County 2002 Jaguar X-Type

09-03-2006, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
RageRover Crazy about Rovers and more... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Westland, MI Posts: 2,888 Gallery: 0	It could be the relay for the rear windshield wiper motor is stuck in the ON position. Not a common thing, but it can happen. Also look at a wiring diagram for the rear windshield wiper motor to see if it is tied into any other circuits. It could also be the motor is getting power from something else tied to its circuit. __________________ Pat Albaugh, Midwest Moderator "Diffage" -the point at which the truck's differential makes contact with the ground. http://www.cardomain.com/id/RageRover42Visit my RRC and others here!(updated as of September 15, 2006) 1995 RRC LWB -LT265/75R16 Pathfinder All Terrains -RTE 2" Lift Springs -Pro Comp ES9000 Shocks (from DAP Enterprises) -KMC Front Diff Guard -4 Desert Fox 55 watt Lighting -Radio Shack CB Radio (never know when signal fails on a cell phone) -2 Halogen Super Sport 100 watt forward lights -Custom slim style front bumper w/ integrated bull bar -Lowe's Special "Homemade" Snorkel -T-Case out of an 92' RRC

09-29-2006, 06:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
heiff 1993 Range Rover County LWB Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 18 Gallery: 0	I had a similar problem with mine - after doing exactly the same thing (running the battery dead by leaving the interior lights on). The circuit is mind-bogglingly complex, and I now know way, way more about it than I ever wanted to! Try the following: (1) Sit in the driver's seat, with all doors closed, and the ignition off (courtesy light should also be off). Can you operate the power seat? (2) Next, switch on the ignition. Do the courtesy lights turn ON? If the answer to both of these questions is "yes", then an in-line diode has fried. When the ignition is on, the diode stops ground from backfeeding into the courtesy and rear wiper circuit. Normally, failure of the diode would inhibit the rear wiper from working altogether, but since you're experiencing exactly the opposite (wiper on all the time, regardless of switch position), I suspect the control module itself has also failed in some way (as Pat referred to in his post above). I have a '92 diagram of this circuit I can email you if you need it. __________________ - Ian 1993 Range Rover County LWB / 1996 Rover Mini SPi / 1965 MG 1100 Last edited by heiff : 09-29-2006 at 07:25 PM.

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