Wipers Come on out of nowhere - Won't turn off.

[BMWfiend]

Lately my windshield wipers have been coming on out of nowhere - in the off position of course. They won't turn off no matter what I do, i restart the car and nothing.

Only way to turn them off is to go into the fuse box and unplug the fuse.

The only thing is - the same fuse controls my cd player. Just my luck right?

Anyway - I was wondering what could be the problem, if I need a new wiper relay, wiper control module, or new car, har har.

But pretty much - ill be driving and they come on out of nowhere... I look like an idiot with my wipers on in the middle of the day.

They won't turn off - so I have to unplug the fuse.

Anyhelp would be appreciated. Take care!

[Hamfisted]

It's probably the switch in the steering column. Try unplugging it for a few days and see if it stops. You have to pull the steering wheel to replace it though. They're about $100.








Mike

[BMWfiend]

can i get a second opinion before i do this?

any tutorial on taking apart your steering wheel?

[Dudesky_E36]

If it's not the switch at the steering wheel, it may be one of the relays. Remove the driver side lower panel and knee bolster. Behind there, you see a bank of 3 relays towards the left side. #2 is the wiper relay, and #3 is the wiper motor relay.

[BMWfiend]

Originally Posted by Dudesky_E36

If it's not the switch at the steering wheel, it may be one of the relays. Remove the driver side lower panel and knee bolster. Behind there, you see a bank of 3 relays towards the left side. #2 is the wiper relay, and #3 is the wiper motor relay.

Sorry - I really don't know much about electrical....

after I get to the relays how would I test it to see if the relay is the problem?

Take them out?

[The Shrew]

I have this EXACT same problem... Mine goes off after a few seconds though. It's been happening more and more lately though and the time they stay on is getting longer. I find that if I put my wipers on the quickest mode or shut my car off and restart it, the problem seems to go away for a while. Anyway, looks like I'll be shopping for a switch...

[kestrel325is]

I had this problem occur on a different car (87 nissan sentra coupe) and it was the wiper stalk on the steering column. I'd check that first.