Ford Transit Connect Wiper Problems

Hi Hope this is in the right forum, nothing really seemed to apply to my problem but guessed you guys would be knowledgeable about this::::: I recently had a bit of a school boy error due to being lazy. In the recent snow rather than clear the windscreen by hand in the morning, I tried to just wipe the snow off the screen using the wipers. The wipers didn't move probably due to the weight of the snow on the screen so like an idiot I pressed the stalk downwards a couple of times to try and push it again. After no joy from my lazy method I had to clear the windscreen by hand. Once I had cleared the screen the wipers wouldn't work. After some initial checks the fuse had blown so I just assumed the power drawn by the motor under load had popped the fuse. I have since replaced the wiper fuse but upon trying the wipers again the fuse blows instantly without any movement from the wipers at all. I have replaced the fuse again and the same happens straight away. Has anyone else being as daft as this and had a similar problem? I'm of the thinking the wiper motor has blown and is consequently blowing the fuse each time. Does anyone know the best way to test for this or any other problem which could be causing this?    Cheers James

Check that the fuse you replaced only controls the wipers (and may be the washers). If so here are the scenarios:- 1) Blown the motor, and there's a dead short in the motor = replacement. 2) The GEM needs re-programming Solutions:-. 1) There should be a wiring connection plug adjacent to the motor. Disconnect then replace the fuse and try the motor. If the fuse still blows there's a short in the loom, if not you definitely need to replace the motor. 2) Visit to someone, or a dealership with diagnostic equipment, to sort out the problem. P.S., that fuse SHOULD have blown before the motor was damaged. P.P.S. NEVER try and use the wipers to clear snow, that's why we install R/S units to get everything nice and warm before entering the vehicle and using these items.

EXCELLENT reply! Covers everything in order and succinctly. If wipers are seized, REMOVE the wiper fuse ASAP! (with Ignition off) Once turned on, wipers remain on until they re-park or their power (IGN+12V or ACC or +12V) is disconnected - only to be repowered again when +12V is applied unless they have re-parked. Hence the motor burns out if its fuse does not blow first. Often the motors burn before the fuse blows. [The fusing is for common shorts. It is usually too high for the current that heats and shorts windings etc - much like AC-arcs not blowing house fuses.) Wipers have a park position sensing switch. Only a small movement may be required to move off this switch, so even if the frozen wiper arms haven't moved, linkage flex & slop may be enough for the park switch to ground the motor (slow) winding to return the wipers to their start position despite the wiper switch being turned off. The wiper's internal park switch bypasses the wiper switch's off position. That was one of my first car electrical learnings - as a 10 year old - remove the wiper fuse if the wiper has seized! Though learned in the northern arctic, that has also since saved a few wipers in inland Australia.