Electrical Gremlin

svxcess · #1 06-23-2005, 07:21 PM

My 96 LSi has had an electrical system which was operating FLAWLESSLY. Every bulb works, all switches operate as designed, alternator cranks out 14 V and I never had an electrical problem of any sort.

Last week I took my car to the Subaru dealer. I had a "check engine" light and it turned out to be Knock Sensor #1. I know the tech had to pull the alternator to get to it and whetever else was in the way. He replaced it, cleared the codes and all seemed to be well...

BUT

About 2 hours later I tried to use the front wipers and they didn't work. I figured somehow I blew a fuse and replaced it. Every time I put a 15amp fuse in the #2 slot (front wiper) in the fuse panel under the dash and turn on the ignition, it blows. I have no idea if there is a relationship between this and whatever the dealer did. I also have no idea where to start in trying to diagnose this problem. Currently, my rear wiper/washer and front wipers/washer don't work.

As I said earlier, I never had an electrical problem ever. My wipers, front and rear, always worked perfectly. It wasn't until I tried to use the washer that I discovered the problem.

Any help, insight or suggestions are truly appreciated.

svxxx26 · #2 06-26-2005, 05:46 PM

Any luck finding your electrical gremlins?

thundering02 · #3 06-26-2005, 07:18 PM

Take it back and make the dealer fix it cause they did it. And did you figure it out?

svxcess · #4 06-26-2005, 07:48 PM

I just cannot figure out what they did that would cause ONLY that one circuit to fail. Every other switch and light works normally. I thought that if they caused the problem I would have a lot more going on.

I don't think that switches normally fail, so I don't think it is in my wiper switch. Plus the wiper fuse blows when I turn the ignition switch to the on position (I see it arc in the fuse panel) This is when the wiper switch on the column is turned off.

Its going in tomorrow so we shall see. I thought someone here might have insight on what to check.

SubaSteevo · #5 06-26-2005, 08:09 PM

Did you feed the car after midnight?

oab_au · #6 06-26-2005, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxcess

I just cannot figure out what they did that would cause ONLY that one circuit to fail. Every other switch and light works normally. I thought that if they caused the problem I would have a lot more going on.

I don't think that switches normally fail, so I don't think it is in my wiper switch. Plus the wiper fuse blows when I turn the ignition switch to the on position (I see it arc in the fuse panel) This is when the wiper switch on the column is turned off.

Its going in tomorrow so we shall see. I thought someone here might have insight on what to check.

Bit of a curly one John. The only thing that I can see, is the rear wiper relay, it has a diode in it, across the winding. If it was shorted it would cause a short to blow the fuse. Pull the relay, see if it still blows the fuse. Can't see anything else, see what the Dealer finds.

Harvey.

lee · #7 06-26-2005, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

Bit of a curly one John. The only thing that I can see, is the rear wiper relay, it has a diode in it, across the winding. If it was shorted it would cause a short to blow the fuse. Pull the relay, see if it still blows the fuse. Can't see anything else, see what the Dealer finds.

Harvey.

to add to Harvey's idea, you might try unplugging the rear wiper/wash pump motor - according to the wiring diagram I have only two things are hooked to #2, the relay and the pump.