Newbie Question - HELP!!! (1 Viewer)

[SEWhelan]

I have a '97 FZJ80 with 125k miles that is new to me. I am the 2nd owner and from what I can tell so far, the PO was not a big fan of doing PM. Time to give my TLC some TLC.

The main problem that has me a bit baffled is what apprears to be an electrical gremlin in the rear hatch. The rear wiper motor does not work. It just clicks. If I put some pressure on the wiper arm it will work,-barely. I thought maybe it was the motor, so I replaced it, and same thing.

The rear defroster does not work and when I open the rear hatch window, the rear dome light will just barely come on. When I open either of the rear doors the back dome light works fine.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas on the best way to troubleshoot the cause?

Thanks for your input. You guys have been great and I am doing more and more work on my new baby to get her back into shape. Next up is a birf rebuild and probably an EGR replacement since the CEL came on tonight and the code says EGR flow insufficient. I will post some pics as soon as I figure out how to do that.

 

[Bear80]

well don't jump to change that EGR valve, it is not the problem. Search for PO401

 

[Romer]

Maybe there is not enough current getting to the wiper or the wiper arm itself is not on tight.

Check the FAQ on P0401 codes. I had it and it was an O2 sensor

 

[Beowulf]

Sounds like a grounding problem to me. Search and educate yourself on the P0401 before you start buying and replacing random parts. Many have gone before you on this one so read and learn. Correct me if I am wrong, but I do not recall anyone that permanently fixed their P0401 by replacing the EGR valve.

-B-

 

[Riley]

I second the ground problem in the rear. When the access is open to the wiper motor, I suggest you try to run an extra ground wire (just lying open) to a good ground spot on the main truck area (frame?). If that works then it proves the ground connection is poor to the rear hatch. You would then need to figure out how the ground is effected and improve it.

 

[RavenTai]

The main problem that has me a bit baffled is what apprears to be an electrical gremlin in the rear hatch. The rear wiper motor does not work. It just clicks. If I put some pressure on the wiper arm it will work,-barely. I thought maybe it was the motor, so I replaced it, and same thing.

The rear defroster does not work and when I open the rear hatch window, the rear dome light will just barely come on. When I open either of the rear doors the back dome light works fine.

On a 96 LX (witch should be similar or the same as you 97 LC) those three items and nothing else splice together into a single ground wire at splice point "B25" , that common single ground wire then passes through plug "BX2" then on the splice point B24 where the back lock detection switch and the "center high mounted stop light" (actually learned something in chat) splice in and head for a ground point picking up most everything in the back of the truck on the way. Check your stop light assuming it is bright your problem is most likely at B25, BX2, the wires in-between and less likely at B24

The diagrams for that area are kind of cluttered but it looks like B25 and BX2 are located close to each other in the lower left hand corner of the lift gate, B24 looks like it is in the top of the left "D" pillar or above the headliner near there.

I would pull the inside handle and then the trim off the inside of the lift gate and take a look for these wires, you should be able to trace the white and black wires from each device and then find the splice and plug, look for loose pins or corroded pins and wires and especially the source of most 80 electrical problems: badly executed previous work, someone installing an alarm might have tied into the lift gate wiring.

HTH and Welcome



Dam -B- and Riley beat me to it, need to lean how to type faster

 

[Beowulf]

We may have beat you to a quickie guess but you took the time to do some true analysis of the circuits in that area and pose some potential solutions to the guy. We don't have nearly as much free time as you do.

-B-

 

[Riley]

Dam -B- and Riley beat me to it, need to lean how to type faster

Well we might have beat you to it but your quality and detail were second to none. One of these days I think I had better get my wiring diagram.

 

[RavenTai]

We don't have nearly as much free time as you do.

-B-

LOL, that would be it.

One of these days I think I had better get my wiring diagram.

Definatly get the EWD, nice to have. I assume Dan can get it for the LC owners? you could asle get the electronic copy woudl not take long to DL that one alone.