Ford Freestar, Erratic Wiper Operation, Radio Stuck On (Part 2)

[@grohaaron]

Wow thank you so much for making this video. I have 04 freestar same issues radio wouldn’t turn off;passenger window kept working with key out and wipers would turn on high speed and wouldn’t stop. I spent hours looking into this issue. This video saved me tons of money. I appreciate you posting this.

[@ThePineapple60]

Thanks on my 2004 freestar wipers stopped working. Saw your vid. And found corrosion at plug. All parts ordered, and new wiper motor, Thanks for the great diagnosis.

[@nicknicu1787]

What a great case study!!! 👍👍👍

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Interesting one huh?

[@nicknicu1787]

Triangle Diagnostics I'm really glad you went the direction you did with the diagnostic! That way we've learned in detail how the system works. If you had gone straight for the wiper motor,you would've found the problem much sooner,but the information wouldn't have been just as great.

[@baxrok2.]

Fantastic case study. Watching you diagnose this was very enjoyable and certainly educational. I appreciate the time and effort that you put into making the videos. Well done sir. Thanks!

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Thanks for your support!

[@picoboo5048]

That's pretty crazy! Water can cause all kinds of havoc in electrical systems. Reminds me of the gm trucks that get water in the Ubec and all kinds of foolishness​ will happen. Last one I had kept the hi beam headlights on all the time. Whoever replaced that connector shouldnt be touching electrical😱. Keep up the great work

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Corrosion is always fun to deal with, but generally it just effects the system it's in. This one was pretty nuts in the way this circuit was being affected. As for the wiring "repair", yeah. Absolutely terrible, (and dangerous).

[@picoboo5048]

Triangle Diagnostics what happened to the video you uploaded last night? I was in the middle of watching it and it disappeared?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I'm super sorry friend, I realized one of my explanations during the video was way off, and I want to make sure I was giving out correct info so I removed it. I'll be re-uploading tonight.

[@stuzman52]

Great work on figuring out what was happening with this vehicle Joe. The 2.8V was probably coming from the copper sulfate (salts) bridging across the pins in the wiper motor assembly since after a few times of plugging and unplugging, it removed the stray voltage. But definitely the wiper motor assembly needed replacement. I'm glad you hung in there where your gut feeling was talking to you about that 2.8V and not making a call on the GEM. Great thinking process Joe! Oh. I saw from a comment that you're in Henderson, NC. I grew up close around your area living in Littleton. Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount and Enfield. Today, I'm living near High Point, NC. Have a good one Joe!

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

That's awesome man. I like knowing some of my viewers are relatively nearby. I actually live in Durham., and work in Henderson.

[@stuzman52]

How about that Joe! You're only about an hour from me :)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Ahhh the green crusties strike again! Great work, Joe! I was laughing in Part 1 when the wipers were stuck on HIGH haha I figured you would chase that problem first. But your approach was very educational in tracing that weird 2.8V on the accessory relay...thanks for the vid!

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I figured the radio staying on would make for a better video, otherwise I may have went that direction first. It's still pretty amusing how all of these issues were tied together like this lol. That 2.8v initially threw me through a bit of a loop, as I didn't think that was really sufficient enough to do anything with this module. Big lesson learned here on attention to detail on these switch inputs, just because it is designed to receive battery voltage doesn't necessarily mean a lower voltage can't meet threshold requirements.

[@bennie1634]

Like your determination to find out where the odd 2.9 volts came from and not choose the easy way and order a new GEM . Great diagnosis !

[@wtfman5313]

Another sweet diagnostic video. Thank you for bringing us along!

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@DaveP1101]

Thank you for this. My Freestar is a 2004 and basically had the same problems. My radio would stay on with the engine off and key out of the ignition, draining the battery within a day or two. The fast wiper was all that would work regarding the wipers. Replaced the motor and the wipers worked perfect, radio shuts off with the engine off and key out of the ignition. The connection of the wiper motor to electoral systems staying active with the vehicle off doesn't seem logical, but it is what happened.

[@22kpar1xcyberdyne9]

Same problem on 2004 freestar. Came in shop with bad starter relay under hood. Didn't know what caused it. Replaced it, ran fine, noticed radio didn't work. Next morning battery was dead. Jumped it, now radio wouldn't shut off. Thanks for video. Another common problem with these is tiny splines inside torque convertor strips out. Ford recall or just swap the torque convertor then sell it quickly! 😂🤣

[@jimmacris615]

Great channel. This was a great video and case study. Other then pulling codes with the versus, all that was needed was a few basic tools.

[@markferraro5250]

great video 2nd time watching

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Glad you enjoyed Mark. I'm trying to get some new content out soon.

[@harrytallman7658]

Good job! I like the in depth troubleshooting technique. Sometimes it's tough to make a call without checking all the possibilities. I'm glad you revisited that wire from the previous night. When you pulled that 2.8 volts to ground with the test light and it worked, I suspected that might be where the problem lies.

[@nicholascorrado55]

Thanks for the information. Almost bought a new sjb, but it isn't available anymore for the Freestar, nor can I find anyplace to repair it. Turned out to be bad wire connectors to the signal light. Now I have to figure out why the windshield washer pump stays on. Thanks to your video, I'm optimistic it's the washer pumps, cause a new washer wiper signal switch assembly isn't available either.

[@RJC3po]

Nice job. A big glob of dielectric grease in the wiper motor connector would go a long way in keeping that connector from corroding up again.

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I'm in complete agreement there. This baby's getting packed full.

[@MrBorntoroll]

Thanks. Nice video. Great work!

[@tomswifty7080]

Hi Joe. Great channel. If you had decided to attack this problem strictly as a parasitic draw by pulling fuses while monitoring the draw, might it have led you to the crappy wiper motor sooner?

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Potentially yes. I may have started in the engine compartment fuse box first and yanked the main wiper fuse out, and that would have definitely pointed us in that direction first for sure. I went the path I did simply because we knew the radio was staying on, in an attempt to save time yanking fuses or testing voltage drop across them. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Potentially yes. I may have started in the engine compartment fuse box first and yanked the main wiper fuse out, and that would have definitely pointed us in that direction first for sure. I went the path I did simply because we knew the radio was staying on, in an attempt to save time yanking fuses or testing voltage drop across them. Hindsight is always 20/20.

[@tomswifty7080]

Only been subbed for 2 days and watched all your vids. Let me say that in hindsight I could not be happier to have found your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@hbenred1384]

very good case study. im new subscriber thanks for all

[@mikest.romain2644]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

[@philh9238]

AWESOME. your the next scannerdanner

[@PearComputingDevices]

I have a 2004 of similar situation. I love the size of this van, I love most of the features too. But my god is this thing a mess. When we first bought it, it had 104k. Right away I install new plugs, air filter, oil. Normal stuff one might do to a used car. Ran well. Except when it was cold or wet. Had a hard rain one night at work. It didn't want to run. Had it towed and checked. It needed a computer and coils were cracked. $1650 to fix. But, all was well. 3 months later another hard rain, same situation. This time I refused to pay for all this work again. Had it towed to my house, did some research, found the problem. Totally replaced computer, idle motor and coil for good measure for less then half. Sealed up that bad boy good. All was well for two years and my alt gave out. Replaced it. Now when it's cold the battery light comes on for a bit and the wiper motor seems to have stopped working correctly, and the computer can't seem to pin point errors it finds randomly. Our techs are baffled. Basically st this point I am just driving it until something expensive blows. There's not a part that hasn't been replaced or cleaned, it's been nothing but an expensive mess. But in it's defense, I must say it's fairly reliable given the problems it thinks it has!

[@piotrk5308]

GREAT JOB!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

[@chekelley6861]

Awesome case

[@kennethbrown7033]

Triangle Diagnostics Thank you for your vids. Just curious if there's a logical sequence as to where to start when it seems to be a power/ground type issue with so many components affected? If by chance you had decided to begin the diagnosis at the wipers and found that mess first, I'm thinking you would have had your "well there's your problem lady!" moment for sure. Should we start with the issue that perhaps uses the higher volt/amps first or the lower volts/amps? Or is it just a gut decision? I thought you did a great job either way.

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I think for the most part it is a gut decision. Typically I will start on whatever path offers the easiest access in terms of test locations. There really isn't a right or wrong way to go about it in my opinion. Thanks for supporting my channel friend.

[@doeloriol4444]

Triangle Diagnostics .

[@tazzi6269]

Recently, my 2004 Freestar is behaving in a similar same way. I've noticed when unlocking the vehicle my radio would play, but didn't notice clock was still on. The battery has been dead 4 times so I replaced the battery. Yesterday, I used the wipers on intermittently then suddenly they began going on high. I attempted to shut them off and nothing worked unless I turned the vehicle off. While the vehicle was running, if I had the following on: wipers, my headlights (dashlights) on auto, and the radio, wipers would go from on to high to stopping midway. The headlights and the dash lights would flicker off and on. The radio was on and not effected. I shut off the engine and took the key out and the wipers would still go on high as well as the radio would still be on. So I'm going to check to see if the windows are effected as well. Then take it into my local garage to confirm it is the wiper motor and connector and to verify of the drain is clogged. We've had a harsh winter so I'm wondering of ice didn't clog the drain over the winter. Long explanation short, I want to thank you SO much for your detailed explanation on this issue. I can't afford taking it into the garage and having them say it will cost thousands of dollars to replace items that don't need to be. Thank you so much agan!!!

[@jasonkendrick1759]

Same problem minus the wiper issue. I still do not have the skills to fix myself so how much would this cost in a shop?

[@Randomgearhead]

i always take apart stuff first ask questions later, could have saved alot of time on this one after seeing that half assed wiring repair! no meters or testing required, but my diag skills are lacking. good videos pal !

[@mattfortin3612]

I have an 06 Freestar took it to the mechanic for the same problem, they replaced the wiper switch and it stopped, fast forward 2 years, we had heavy rains for the past 2 days and now it's doing it again

[@markferraro5250]

thanks joe excellent

[@bassanglerxxx8444]

My wife has the exact same van color year and all,I'm in currently in a holacost with it now, battery died overnight once charge it up it fired up, weeks later same thing but battery was full of fire, tried to crank it but just a loud tick from the starter,and wipers sounds like they were trying to come on, checked the fuse box under the hood and the starter relay was blown (30 pink long fuse looking thing) swapped out with another but still no fire....so I have removed the starter itself to be replace it tomorrow,but it has a lot leaking hose and was wet and rusty looking on the entire right side the battery and thermostat area,it is giving me a headache

[@mmocken]

great job, thank you

[@dezblyan5125]

nice work you'll do well on your channel

[@BrandonSmith-pk3kt]

My van is doing this exact same thing.. no wiper problem though.. radio comes on even when van is off.. it's killing my wife's battery every night.. I had to remove the fuses.. someone help here plz

[@JVerschueren]

For future reference, digital logic will interpret anything under 1.2V as zero and anything above 1.6V as one, so, yeah, 2.8V is plenty for the unit to assume power is present and command the relay on. Unless an A/D conversion is done, a logic circuit cannot determine how much voltage is present on an input and car manufacturers aren't going to put in an A/D converter (or use one of the processor's built-in A/D converters) just to test for the presence of a supposedly fixed voltage.

[@ventureelect]

guys , guys ,guys, guys. Great videos, just get rid of the guys thingy , please

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

Check my newer videos, they don't disappoint!

[@MrWrenchworks]

Updated cowling drain tsb...Ford guy on youtube covers this(ford mecado?)

[@guayaco-dm3vu]

Excellent nothing but excellent.. A dealer would have put a gem before the tech figure out the issue or ship the job to someone else..Ask me how I know.....LOL Yea terrible job on the wiper connector repair.and by the way that a ford heat tubing with butt connector supply in the repair kit.But whoever worked on it,Butchered..

[@pinpointautomotiverepair1592]

I kind of figured they were supplied with the connector. I like to try and believe the dealership would have made the right call on this, but definitely no way of knowing without letting them try haha. Thanks for the support friend.

[@ajbrown2013]

You did what’s to what where when what