Wipers and washers not working

[tuglet]

Hi All

My wipers and washers have decided to pack in. All other electrics seem to be fine. I'm hoping it's just a fuse. I've located the fuse box under the dash, but it is not labelled at all; doesn't even have a cover. Does anyone know which fuse is for the wipers? There's only one 20A fuse so am I safe to assume that's it?

Cheers
tuglet

[HRG]

http://tinyurl.com/626p5j

[tuglet]

HRG said:

http://tinyurl.com/626p5j

I always try Google before posting here. I couldn't find any thing that looks like the fuse box under my dash. Here's a pic of it. Lots of 10A, 15A and 30A fuses, but only one 20A. It's the fuse that looks yellow in the pic; second from the left in the middle row.

[HRG]

http://www.mx5club.co.nz/maintenance/fuses/

If in doubt, pull them one at a time starting with the last one that you'd think to test and test this first as it will always be the last one

[tuglet]

HRG said:

http://www.mx5club.co.nz/maintenance/fuses/

If in doubt, pull them one at a time starting with the last one that you'd think to test and test this first as it will always be the last one

Hi HRG

I had found that link, but the diagram doesn't look the same as my fuse box. I've just finished an oil change, so I'm gonna go buy a selection of new fuses and try replacing each in turn, starting with the 20A.

Cheers
tuglet

[MX-5 Lazza]

It should be very seay to see which one is burnt out. Just take each one out in turn and put it back if it looks fine. When you find the burnt out one, replace it.

[tuglet]

Well, found the faulty fuse using a cheap probe from MachineMart. I replaced it with a spare from Maplin and the washers and wipers worked for a few seconds before the fuse blew again.

I'm gonna try disconnecting the washer and wiper motor harnesses and see if the fuse blows. If it does, points to a wiring problem. If not, I guess it could be the motor(s).

I washed the car on Sunday for the first time in ages. Could I have gotten water somewhere it shouldn't be?

Edited by tuglet on Monday 15th December 18:38

[tuglet]

Well, I spent 2 hours this morning chasing around every electrical shop I could think of buying up supplies of 20A mini blades fuses to use for "troubleshooting". Got home, had a cup of tea, and rolled my sleeves up for a long afternoon of blown fuses and blue air.

Put in the first fuse - everything fine. Turned on ignition - still fine. Started engine - still fine. Wipers to intermittent - fine. Wipes on slow - fine. Wipers on fast - fine. Pull stalk to wash - fine. Tried all combinations with a/c off and on. With lights off and on. Couldn't get the fuse to blow.

Oh well. Musn't grumble. But I'm fully expecting the bugger to blow again, probably on the motorway in torrential rain. The glovebox if full of fuses just in case...

[tuglet]

Well, as expected the fuse blew again after a couple of days driving. So it's time to roll the sleeves up and try to get to the bottom of the problem, and hopefully learn plenty along the way. I have borrowed a multimeter, invested in a copy of Rod's Enthusiast Workshop Manual, and downloaded a wiring schematic for a Mk1 1997 Eunos Roadster.

Rod's says "If the fuse burns out again, check the wiper system wiring for shorts, open circuits and bad connections: repair or rewire as necessary". Unfortunatley, Rod assumes that I know how to do this. Does anyone have a link to a step-by-step guide to troubleshooting wiring problems, or can recommend a good book?