Help me figure out wiring?

[EastCoastCB]

Ok, I'll see what that does, but its gonna be quite a job just getting the wiring out, its BURIED in a giant loom.

There are two solenoids on the left side of the wiring panel box on the side of the bus. the top one gets warm when the power is on, the bottom one is cool always. does that mean anything? They seem like they're part of the wiper system. Please forgive my ignorance here.
I have a multimeter, but no idea what to test.
Seems like something that controls the right wiper is sending power whenever the engine is running.

Another thing that randomly happens- the radio will work or not. The PA works sometimes, sometimes not. The front right heater will only work for about 45 secs and then cuts off and won't come back on till I turn the bus off.

[BlackJohn]

Can't you get at the wiper motor connections right at the motor? Do they seem to be individually connected or all in a connector?
Can you read the multimeter when it is set for ohms and for 12 Vdc?
Any pics would help before you take anything apart.
Disconnect the ground cable on the main batteries from the battery and make it sit securely someplace out of the way without shorting to the bus body or frame.

[BlackJohn]

Those two solenoids distribute power from the batteries to where it is needed in the bus. One feeds accessories through your ignition switch and the other the main panel likely and possibly other 12v dc connection points of the positive variety as opposed to the 12V dc negative connections.
The wipers may have a feed from each to each switch in the dash panel.
So you are right, they do play a part in the wiper system.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Can't you get at the wiper motor connections right at the motor? Do they seem to be individually connected or all in a connector?
Can you read the multimeter when it is set for ohms and for 12 Vdc?
Any pics would help before you take anything apart.
Disconnect the ground cable on the main batteries from the battery and make it sit securely someplace out of the way without shorting to the bus body or frame.

The wiper motor connections are visible. Theres like four wires all soldered to the motor, then there's a multi-pin connector. the wires from that run into a giant loom of wiring that runs way up behind the dash.
I can use the multimeter I just have NO idea what to check/do/test with it.
lemme try to snap a few pics...

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Those two solenoids distribute power from the batteries to where it is needed in the bus. One feeds accessories through your ignition switch and the other the main panel likely and possibly other 12v dc connection points of the positive variety as opposed to the 12V dc negative connections.
The wipers may have a feed from each to each switch in the dash panel.
So you are right, they do play a part in the wiper system.

If one gets real warm, and the other doesn't, is that anything to consider?
brb getting a couple pics.

[BlackJohn]

The only thing controlling the right wiper is the right wiper switch am I right? Forgot if you have one or two wiper switches, sorry. If it has a two switch system, there is likely a contact in the switch itself either stuck somehow, welded together permanently, wires touching each other on the switch to keep it in the "on" position which is what you have. Or lint, dust etc builds in anything electric and causes shorts. Yup, you have a short! condition.
Your multimeter will tell you the answer. Is it digital or needle type?
With the negative battery cable off, you will only be able to read "OHMS" ok?

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

The only thing controlling the right wiper is the right wiper switch am I right? Forgot if you have one or two wiper switches, sorry. If it has a two switch system, there is likely a contact in the switch itself either stuck somehow, welded together permanently, wires touching each other on the switch to keep it in the "on" position which is what you have. Or lint, dust etc builds in anything electric and causes shorts. Yup, you have a short! condition.
Your multimeter will tell you the answer. Is it digital or needle type?
With the negative battery cable off, you will only be able to read "OHMS" ok?

Uploading a few pics/
THANKS so much, man... I REALLY appreciate any help. What an awesome bunch of folks on here!
I've got a nice digital Craftsman multimeter a friend loaned me.
I'm kinda thinking that you're right about that right switch. The intermittent setting on it NEVER worked since I got the bus, and it never parked down quite the same as the other wiper (that may not be important).

[BlackJohn]

So...one wiper motor and one wiper switch? I was thinking two motors and two switches. That's how mine is. If so, then no swap above mentioned can be made.
Gotta run, will chat tomorrow. Maybe others can help in the meantime.
Hang in there k?

[EastCoastCB]

the right side motor


two switches




the two solenoids on the left

The top one gets warm quickly



the connector for the motor




Checked the ground and connections at the fluid reservoir as I've heard they can be an issue

This coil thing is in the middle of the panel


It has some sort of ground that's been cut up above it

No idea what this on/off switch does

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

So...one wiper motor and one wiper switch? I was thinking two motors and two switches. That's how mine is. If so, then no swap above mentioned can be made.
Gotta run, will chat tomorrow. Maybe others can help in the meantime.
Hang in there k?

Two switches, two motors, thanks for the advice man!!

[Roadrunner]

Sounds like a relay sticking.

[cadillackid]

the big solenoids.. from what I can tell by the pics.. the one gets warm when its on is the main power solenoid for all things ignition controlled inside that panel.. in effect it probably goes clunk when you turn the key on, or to accessory..

4 wires to the motor...

in no spceific order as I dont know the pinouts.

1. ground
2. +12 volts all the time - this is the park wire (ill explain below)
3. Low speed from the switch
4. high spoeed from the switch,

the theory of operation is that when you turn the wipers off, they go to low speed, an internal switch in the motor is respobnsible for stopping the wiper when it reaches the "parked" or lowest spot on the windshield... if that switch fails to work the wiper will run forever... even when the dash switch is off or in the intermittent position.

this is very very hard for me to troubleshoot not seeing it in person to know what wire colors are going where ..

that internal switch is notorious for going bad. im assuming if you unplug the cable to the dash switch that the motor stops?
-Christopher

[EastCoastCB]

Yeah, unplugging the wiper motor is only way to run the bus without the right wiper.
works like normal, but if the engine is running the wiper motor is, too.

[BlackJohn]

Very good explanation of theory. Just wondering if there is a medium speed there and are the wipers intermittent? I don't think so myself. Pics are hard to see clearly but do I see 5 wires on the motor in a cable that goes to the white unplugged connector? Hope he can verify this statement.

[BlackJohn]

One gets hot when ignition key is moved to "Accessories". The other when key is switched to "ON". You can hear a noise from each when you move the key to either position. That part seems good to me so not to worry.

[BlackJohn]

Glad you have a multimeter to use for now. You should buy your own as you'll need it working on these babies or any vehicle. Saves big bucks.

Are you sure the wipers are intermittent? Where is that controlled from, the directional signal handle? I ask because my motorhome of the sticks and staples variety has your two exact switches for the wipers, but no intermittent. Low, medium and high speeds only.

The wiper arm has been off the vehicle before and not positioned quite right on the splined shaft when put back, therefore it's not parking the same as the left side. Minor detail that for now.

Question. Is there 4 or 5 wires on the motor. You said 4 earlier but my eyes seem to see 5. Please verify.

[EastCoastCB]

5 wires. Black, blue, brown, green, and red.Each wipers switch has intermittent, low, and high.
Sometimes touching one switch sets the other wiper off too. The left wiper has went full auto a time or two, but now the right one is now the only one doing it.

[BlackJohn]

Once again I ask is there 4 or 5 wires in the motor and that white plug, how many wires used in it. Where the white plug connects in the harness you unplugged goes right back to the wiper switch for the right wiper.

What does that switch with a blue ring around it do? Nothing to do with the wipers or is it for the washer pump for the wipers? I think the wiper pump is wired from each wiper switch when you push the switch they wash right? It's got my curiosity but may have nothing to do with the wipers either, or it may. Get back with that info.

[BlackJohn]

I've never seen a vehicle yet that has a relay on the wiper system other than those big coils he took pics of, the main power contactors. They seem to be working but maybe the wiper feeds come from them Yet to be determined.

[EastCoastCB]

IDK what the blue switch was, it was something to do with school stuff. I think the stop arm or something? Maybe the strobe?




The 5 wires the motor connects to are 3 pink, one light gray and one dark gray


Washer fluid pump works just fine by pushing either of the wiper buttons in.