wipers gone wild

[no dogma]

2004 Canyon wipers not working properly. Symptoms:

1. Wipers always come on for 2-3 revolutions when ignition is initially turned on (switch is turned off).
2. They stop at random places on the windshield whenever turned off.
3. High speed works normally and they work fine when mist is used (except for stopping in incorrect location)
4. All other speeds only run for 2-3 revolutions before stopping.

Any ideas what is going on or how to diagnose?

John

[gmctrucks]

Welcome to the forum and howdy from TEXAS, John call the dealer see if there is a service bulletin/recall on the problem maybe they can fix it for free.
Good luck! GMC

[Crmzendrgone]

Welcome(I seem to forget the welcomes usually) I would think the wiper module got wet. I had similar issues after I cleaned my engine bay. Seeing as how the module is under the hood at least on my year truck.

[crabtruck]

Welcome to the forum John.

Double check your wwaarraannttee, nice if covered.
Haven't seen any recalls or TSBs but that isn't proof.

After making a good visual and manual(tugging) inspection
around wiper motor and fuse block (especially middle area)
try replacing wiper relay (little one) in spot 57.
Even just pulling it out may change your "pre-wipe" problem.

Sounds like relay chatter to me, but may not be relay's fault.
Another item to consider given symptoms, is the diode.
It's above relay 63 (the other wiper one) in spot 64.
Again, removing that will change your symptoms.

Have not worked on this particular one but the usual
list of suspects includes the multifunction switch,
and the body control module.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

[hotrodpc]

Nice way to wake up the 2nd time of the morning. Checkin out the thread, vision still foggy, I look at his thread and see (espiecally middle area), (little one) and "pre wipe" and wondering what can this be about??? Was starting to sound like Skid mark prevention to a 5yo for minute. BTW, Welcome No dogma. Didn't mean to drop a duece, no pun intended L73, on your thread. Do let us know what you find out. Might be one of those with a circuit board on the wiper motor type too. I am not familar much with the Colordao/Canyon models myslelf hardly at all. Do you buy chance have those automatic wipers that detect water on the windshield like an option on the Envoy???

[no dogma]

Thanks all for the suggestions and welcomes. I was hoping it was a known problem as I'm a) out of warranty (116K mi on it already) and b) not generally so great at troubleshooting electrical issues.

gmctrucks, Mr. Google shows TSB #08-08-43-007 for 2008 Canyons (mine's a 2004) for phantom wipers which sounds similar from the description - will check with the dealer for details to see if it's the same symptoms and might apply to other years - or if there's something else I missed. The fix listed is to reprogram the BCM which I'm guessing ain't cheap. I'll call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say.

crabtruck, assuming the dealer doesn't tell me there's a quick/cheap fix, I plan to take a look at this weekend and will try your suggestions - if I can figure out where everything is you mentioned. I'd love to avoid a dealership cost or at least them spending a lot of time trying to locate the problem. (I had a problem with the A/C randomly not working at 30K miles ago and it took them 2 weeks to find and fix it - I can imagine the cost if that wasn't under warranty.)

Crmzendrgone, I don't think it's a wet wiper module - it's been doing it for about two weeks now - unless you're saying it may have shorted something?

hotrodpc, nope the wipers aren't the fancy auto sensor type.

I'll let you know what I find out.

John

[Crmzendrgone]

Good to know.

[Ninja_Lawn_Guy]

I had something similar happen with mine, it turned out to be a broken weld attached to the wiper board so I banged my fist on the little box under the wipers and tah dah...just saying...

[Crmzendrgone]

Originally Posted by no dogma

Crmzendrgone, I don't think it's a wet wiper module - it's been doing it for about two weeks now - unless you're saying it may have shorted something?
John

Ya thats what I was thinking or just cause of a funkiness I got mine wet like said and they were coming on when they wanted to and didn't shut off when I shut them off or the speed was irratic until (I assume) it dried out. I haven't got it wet again and haven't had that issue sense. This was all in a matter of minutes from the initial wetting.

[hotrodpc]

I know 94 models its common to have them work then not work. Its the circuit board I am reffering to. Hopefully, Colorado/Canyon don't have the same issue. But may be worth checking to see. See if you have a small circuit board on the wiper motor somewhere.