Heads up folks, ws wiper delay and ws washers

[wymjym]

Like many of you out there I have had my problems with the ws wiper/washer not working properly.
Like most people I did the clean the contacts thing but my issue kept coming back.
I pulled my wiper motor and found a cracked trace on the circuit, fixed it and all was fine for a short time.
I even replaced the turn signal assembly with a new oem unit and the issue continued on and off.
I bought a used wiper motor and GEM module from Midnight, replaced the wiper motor and still had the issue.

Finally last month I decided to replace the GEM module. I checked my repair manual to determine the best approach for replacement…but stumbled onto a TSB called the GEM Wiggle Test
The symptoms mentioned were mine………….basically it is caused by either a bad plug/socket or damaged wires at one of the GEM plugs.
SO….I thought I would try this before replacing the unit. I pulled all of the plugs and cleaned them, reconnected them and everything has been working for the past three weeks. I have no doubt that this has been the root cause of my inconsistent wiper performance for the past several years.

I suggest that since this plug cleaning is so easy and quick to accomplish, that it should be part of the ‘first attempts’ to fix the ws washer/wiper issues.
wj

 

[Izzmo]

So, what was the problem you were encountering? Was it the problem where the wipers, when on, would just work at random intervals?

 

[slowshow]

Where is the GEM on our vehicles?

 

[LJRuddy]

This doesn't happen to also include the washer pump to not work when the button is pressed...? I don't look forward to having to replace that thing.

 

[wymjym]

some of my symptoms:
delay times varied greatly
delay didn't work
wipers didn't work
wipers only worked on high
wipers only worked at low, mid, high
wipers on longest delay varied from 15 sec to 3 minutes
washers didn't work
washers didn't work and wipers didn't sweep

it was so random that I thought the stars needed to be aligned for everything to operate properly


the GEM is directly behind the fuse box on the drivers side floor
the plugs are accessible by lifting the carpet at that fuse box

wj

 

[venom]

Where is the GEM on our vehicles?

Drivers footwell, on the backside of the fusebox.

I had to remove the GEM from the fusebox to get space for a clutch pedal - here is how.

http://www.venom.org/shofiles/project_rowboat/DSCN3209.JPG

GEM on the right, fusebox (fuses down) with the remnants of the GEM connector with the wires soldered in, then soldered into the GEM PCB.

This puts my GEM under the steering wheel.

Disassembled before mod here:
http://www.venom.org/shofiles/project_rowboat/DSCN3198.JPG

 

[Izzmo]

So Venom.. you are saying that that box is the culprit?

 

[wymjym]

So Venom.. you are saying that that box is the culprit?

?????????????????????

I read it as he had to relocate it because he needed room for the clutch pedal assembly

wj

 

[Izzmo]

Oh, doh. I didn't read that part.

 

[Eric VerValin]

This doesn't happen to also include the washer pump to not work when the button is pressed...? I don't look forward to having to replace that thing.

Thats like one of the easiest things ever to replace on a gen 2. I replaced mine in the parking lot 2 minuites after I bought it. 5 minuites later, I was driving down the road, cleaning my windsheild.

Is it buried in the fender or something on a gen 3 ?

 

[venom]

So Venom.. you are saying that that box is the culprit?

Not at all. Don't know what you have in play. I was jsut trying to show you what the GEM looks like, where it is located and give some details that I know about it.

 

[wymjym]

I pulled all of the plugs and cleaned them, reconnected them and everything has been working for the past three weeks. I have no doubt that this has been the root cause of my inconsistent wiper performance for the past several years.

I suggest that since this plug cleaning is so easy and quick to accomplish, that it should be part of the ‘first attempts’ to fix the ws washer/wiper issues.
wj

UPDATE!!!
The wipers/washers etc have been working perfectly since I made this posting...so it is now July, I am certain that this liuttle plug cleaning resolved my issues.
wj

 

[Izzmo]

Quick question, you were just talking about the connector on the back of the GEM right?

 

[wymjym]

the plug on the bottom of the gem
wj