2005 Liberty CRD Front Wipers Not Working

litadata · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:23 pm

My 2005 Liberty CRD's front wipers are not working. The rear wiper and switch are working, but the is not working in any position on the switch. I checked the fuse under dash at driver side door. I checked the relays under hood by using the starter relay as a tester. I tried to replace the combo headlight and wiper switch with a new unit and still did not work. I then tried a new re-manned wiper motor and the wipers are still not working.

Has anyone had this problem? I searched the forum and have not found anything. Any help would be appreciated, the rain and snow are still coming.

Hexus · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 12:16 am

You're probably going to have to replace the switch on the steering column. The whole thing.

litadata · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 12:23 am

I replace the whole switch and it did not fix the problem.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 11:35 am

Looks like you replaced all the possible parts.
All that's left now is to check the wiring.
Look for loose connectors, bad ground connections, corroded connections, and broken or damaged wires.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 12:12 pm

Time to start with the basics, break out a volt meter if you got one, if not go buy one at a parts store or home repair store, hardware store, etc...
Start at the relay and check for voltage at each location connection and check for good ground and continuity at all points possible. As flash advised, check every connection point, and especially all ground points. Since you have replaced all the major components to no avail, my guess is either a broken wire, bad ground, or bad connector or connection somewhere along on the harness...
Wiring diagrams are available if you need to see how the whole system is wired....
Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find; never know who else might need draw from your experience in the future.... :wink:

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 12:53 pm

One rather obvious part has not been mentioned. That's the wiper motor itself. For the system to work the following items must function a) the steering column switch; b) 2 fuses inside the cabin; c) 2 relays in the power distribution center; d) all the associated wiring; and e) the wiper motor and arms from it to the wiper blade base.

I cannot tell for sure but the parts fiche suggests the wiper motor is under the cowl below the wipers. If so you can pull the wiper blade arms (might need a small gear puller as the arms are a press fit to the shaft); carefully pry up the pins holding the cowl retaining clips so they can be reused; and remove cowl (may have to jigger washer hoses). If that get's you access to the motor it should be relatively easy to check for jammed linkage and you can probably use a 12v battery charger to directly power the motor to see if it works and a volt/ohm meter to see if the motor is getting power. If the motor does not work with direct power there is your problem. If it's not getting power then work "upstream" to see where the issue.

PS you cannot always tell if a fuse is good by a visual inspection; check for continuity.

Could also the "clock" spring in steering column.

litadata · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 2:04 pm

I appreciate everyone's response so far. I need a good wiring diagram, so if anyone has a link please post.

In my original post I was trying to be more direct and to the point instead of dragging on (the way my conversations usually go). Again here is what I have done already.

1. Originally checked both fuses under dash. Today I checked with voltmeter and they are getting 12+ volts. I also swapped in new fuses. No Go!
2. Originally checked relays under hood. Swapped out with other relays. No Go! Today I tested with voltmeter and I could not find any voltage at the relay outlets (with key and wiper switch on). This will be my next starting point to trace wire connections, etc.
3. Originally I took off wiper arms and cowling to get to wiper motor and plugged in new motor. New motor was not connected to wiper transmission assembly and then I tested the new motor. No Go! Wiper transmission assembly arms were lubed and moved freely and not jammed.
4. Today I left key and wiper switch on and started jiggling wires to see I could find the short or grounded wire. Nothing look out of place. No Go!

In my Google search there was some mention on another site about Circuit Breakers. These are the silver colored metal ones under the dash and behind the fuse panel, correct? My understanding is that these are self re-setting after it cools down. Also I understand that these are caused to trip when wiring is faulting somewhere down the line. These are only about $3 at parts store. I need to pickup a few to swap out incase they are toasted.

Wiring problems are so much fun! :banghead:

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 2:31 pm

My bad, I missed that you had tried a new/reman motor. Obviously power is not getting to the motor. Go to http://colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/ and download the FSM (Note 05 has illustration keys but no diagnostics or diesel cooling system info - 06 is the reverse) for wiring diagrams.

I have no clue about wire routing but if you have an 06 there is a known issue with wire chaffing in the bundle behind the fuel filter head bracket.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Feb 28, 2016 4:37 pm

Hope this helps?
pm me with your email addy and I can send you the parts of the service manual wiring you might need...
from the service manual:

ISO Micro Relay
30 - COMMON FEED
85 - COIL GROUND
86 - COIL BATTERY
87 - NORMALLY OPEN
87A - NORMALLY CLOSED

The wiper high/low relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) in the engine compartment near the battery. The wiper high/low relay is a conventional International Standards Organization (ISO) micro relay (Fig. 39). Relays conforming to the ISO specifications have common physical dimensions, current capacities, terminal patterns, and terminal functions. The relay is contained within a small, rectangular, molded plastic housing and is connected to all of the required inputs and outputs by five integral male spade-type terminals that extend from the bottom of the relay base. The wiper high/low relay cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The wiper high/low relay is an electromechanical switch that uses a low current input from the Body Control Module (BCM) to control a high current output to the front wiper motor. The movable common feed contact point is held against the fixed normally closed contact point by spring pressure. When the relay coil is energized, an electromagnetic field is produced by the coil windings. This electromagnetic field draws the movable relay contact point away from the fixed normally closed contact point, and holds it against the fixed normally open contact point. When the relay coil is de-energized, spring pressure returns the movable contact point back against the fixed normally closed contact point. A resistor is connected in parallel with the relay coil in the relay, and helps to dissipate voltage spikes and electromagnetic interference that can be generated as the electromagnetic field of the relay coil collapses. The wiper high/low relay terminals are connected to the vehicle electrical system through a connector receptacle in the Power Distribution Center (PDC). The inputs and outputs of the wiper high/low relay include:

litadata · **Posted:** Mon Feb 29, 2016 10:44 pm

Thank you Papaindigo and WWDiesel for the link to the manual and schematic drawings. Unfortunately I still don't have front wipers. I stopped and got a 20A Circuit Breaker. The parts store computer show there are three Circuit Breaker for the vehicle. One 25A Circuit Breaker under the hood for Trailer Wiring. Two are in the passenger compartment; One 25A Circuit Breaker for power seat, and one more 20A Circuit Breaker for the Wiper/Washer. I located them on the back side of the fuse panel under the steering column access panel. I switched out the circuit breaker and still a No Go for front wipers. With voltmeter there was 12 volts coming from the plug with ignition on.

Now I believe I just need to trace wires from the relay area under hood. My problem is trying to figure out in what direction. Relay to Motor or Relay to Switch? It appears that I have no power to the relays under the hood.

Thoughts?????

Billwill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 01, 2016 2:48 am

Use the link to the manuals that papaindigo gave you.
Go to the wiring section, Wipers, pages 8W-53-4/5

Circuit breaker number 3 is on the reverse of the Junction Block ie. the internal fuse panel. This is for anything jamming the wiper motor or blades or a burnt-out motor.

The wiring diagram will show the breaker's location...it may need re-setting.
The wiring diagram will also show where relays "Wipers On/Off" and "Wipers High/Low" are located on the rear of the Junction Block...swap these with identical relays nearby.

Then check the ground point, G111, is good. Using the Wiring Diagram there is a section called "Locations"....this shows you where the Ground points, Connectors, Splices etc. are located. You can temporaly splice a piece of wire into the Black wire at the motor and connect it to a clean chassis point to get an extra ground.

You will need to trace the wiring all the way from the BCM, Multi-function Switch to the motor or the other way round...after 34 years in the computer/robotics industry I can assure you whichever route you take will be the longest one! :shock:

You may find a dirty pin in one of the connectors on route...best way to test for voltage is to have the negative lead of the DC meter on chassis and strap a small sewing needle or pin to the Red positive meter lead...piece the insulation of the wires with this needle to check for voltage...the small holes in the insulation can be filled with glue later.

Have fun! :wink:

litadata · **Posted:** Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:51 pm

Problem Fixed!!

As I suspected it was in the Power Distribution Center (PDC), the fuse box under the hood. In my test with a voltmeter, I was not getting power to the relays at that junction. I was banging my head against the wall, so I gave up and took it to a mechanic. He used to be a Jeep/Chrysler mechanic for many years and was familiar with the system. He diagnosed it the same day I dropped it off. He said it could be fixed by replacing the PDC or as he called it the TIPM. It had a short in what he explained as a circuit board that vibrations can cause a short. He said it was only available through the dealership. He quoted me $700 with parts and labor. When he went to get just the box it was no longer available in that form. It was only available in a complete wiring harness. He was able to work his magic and talk the dealership down to what he quoted me. Good for me

. So I came out of the deal with a complete new wiring harness, with all new fuses and relays included for $750. Sound like a big chunk of $$, but it was a lot of work and looks great. Most importantly I have working wipers again.

The most expensive windshield wipers ever!!

wilco549 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 06, 2016 7:02 am

You may want to look for a used one in bone yard or ebay. A gasser will probably fit but do your homework to be sure.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=fu ... +&_sacat=0

2005 Liberty CRD Front Wipers Not Working

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