Dodge Ram 3500: No Wipers

In this video I have a look at a Dodge ram 3500 Dually that has a customer complaint of, "the wipers only work sometimes." Seems easy right? As long as you stick to your diagnostic plan you will come to the right answer fast, every time.
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Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained

[@ranchdude4367]

Do not pick on the hired help, you might not get dinner when you get home, much less any desert.

[@Legendarysaiyan5]

How in the world do these videos have dislikes? This is grade A quality (and free) material. I think I learn more from your channel than I did in automotive school.

[@marty0715yt]

"That tricks old"! Didn't even flinch! You read her like a book.

[@GunfighterWyo]

Mrs. O knows how to get Mr. O back. Love the horn. She makes me laugh all of the time.

[@edwardmartinez199]

Always nice to see the lovely Mrs O.

[@davjociestanski5743]

Eric great explanation on how you go about to fix the problem and the bonus is the comments section thank you for your time and sharing you Knowledge

[@joe2mercs]

Eric you are keeping my wife happy. Her car had a failed rear wiper on her tail gate. I pulled the wiring diagram and after checking power, determined that there was electrical supply directly before the tail gate but non at wiper motor. I found a break in the harness at the hinge, resoldered the wire and the result is as good as new and my wife is happy.

[@davidmeyers3549]

It amazes me how you view an 01 as long since retired. I guess that is what salt does. Plenty of older ones here in southeastern VA. Love your approach to problems

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Eric thanks for explaining the wire schematic side of your troubleshooting process. extremely helpful to see and hear you explain your reasoning. I know it takes a lot of your time but that's my reason for helping to support your channel through your store, mugs, and T-shirts. thanks much I would change my clothes after getting out Poor Mrs. O. ❤️️

[@kellyrjohnson7693]

Awesome - new SMA to help make a Sunday morning at the office go by.

[@mechanicmike1236]

One of the greatest things I've learned from your channel is to make sure the circuit can carry the load, ie the headlight circuit tester, thanks for everything that you do and I have learned alot from you!!

[@HoppysBronco]

You and your family are the best. What a team.

[@josephbelmaresiii7682]

I like you train of thought and your theory teachings

[@aleblanc3547]

I've never felt a "I don't think I can" attitude from you and I doubt I ever will. Thanks Eric!!

[@2500mike]

2nd gen 3500 360 V8. Love those things. In the past I had an 04 and 08 3500 dually with the 5.7 Hemi. Outstanding work trucks.

[@billmaxfield7831]

Great lesson Eric, Wonderful explanation of the proper use of the sometimes confusing wiring diagram.. I like to use a highlighter marker to isolate the path for my old eyes!!

[@-hbwink-6340]

Thanks for your wiper repair diagnostic video using the schematic; also your load 4 amp test of the ground using the light was a good reminder to use sufficient amp draw for valid load test.

[@allanandrowey5219]

Love your processes. Inspired daily to go to work, makes me wish daily for tricky trouble shooting jobs to come in.

[@klystron1]

Horn trick again. Lol. Thanks Mrs O. Top work Doc. O.

[@pokerdude836]

I'm jealous of your knowledge and ability to track down electrical problems without doubt. You are by far the best teacher on auto repair on the internet today. Slowly but surely my ignorance is being cured from watching these videos.

[@michaelb.5345]

Parts cannon.... I love it...Thank you Dr. E. O.. for another great video.

[@ranchdude4367]

Even all the way from over here in TEXAS, even I could see that you had to take the washer hoses off first but keep up the GOOD work. !!!

[@craigdreisbach5956]

Another great video Eric. Many teachable moments. My favorite as a naive mechanic was that a suddenly activated wiper assembly could result in loss of fingers. Thanks for the heads up to which now appears intuitve but I didn't appreciate beforehand. Thank you

[@aaa000777]

Awesome, a Sunday treat from Eric O.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@enceladusfox2247]

Good call, thanks for the video as always !

[@garyprice5375]

Excellent diagnosis great thanks gerbilly.

[@baxrok2.]

Excellent lesson sir. Gotta have a plan. Thanks Dr. O!

[@nelsonnarciso1791]

Awesome. Appreciate the knowledge you share with us on how to diagnose and keeping it simple. Gosh dang keep it up. MR O

[@chrisholmes6311]

The horn trick never gets old Mrs O. Made me laugh again. Great vid Mr O

[@kentsimon2152]

yea one of the things that makes you great is that you follow a very clear and consistent process to diagnose these electrical issues. I have to diagnose the blower motor on my car and I know exactly what order to check things in.

[@purelyinlove90]

Love your videos, very informative

[@BOBHANNA01]

Great video, this is why I love my power probe, I know your a test light guy but either will get you a quick solution, rather than pulling the column apart to verify power. Can't skip the basics you'll get burnt. I've bought to many non returnable patrs.

[@auroraboy95]

Love your videos Mr. O making me miss working on cars

[@normangallant9879]

Like the way to diagnose this problem.Good work

[@alanhanniffy8177]

Well there’s your problem ! Love it Eric keep up the great content. Ireland’s too far away to book a service but for sure if I was in NY I’d look you up

[@CrazyPetez]

Excellent troubleshooting.

[@lineartechbd1600]

I know how you feel. I asked somebody to press the brake pedal while I bled the brakes but no fluid was coming out. I was scratching my head but then realized this person was pumping the gas pedal.

[@zx8401ztv]

lol classic :-D, so much confusion created by a dork.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Jesus, hope they dont drive like that and press the accelerator when they need to brake!

[@mikesecor6074]

Bahahahahahaha

[@ktcgarage8572]

I just did a video of installing a new wiper motor on my Trooper and I used a reman. Kinda worried if it will last but I Can’t run down to the corner Isuzu dealer 😂 great video Eric o

[@andrewparry6106]

Mr O, you make great videos. Dont change a thing

[@shaffere33]

Awesome video as always!

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the videos.

[@Paul1958R]

Eric, Great video / diagnosis! I'd love to see the new motor install if you can. SMA#1 God bless Paul

[@TheBuddy1939]

No simpleness about. Your the man! with the know how

[@neverstoplearning382]

And this is how I am learning from the best. Regards friend.

[@donnierobertson3088]

Great job like always A+

[@mattbickford2640]

12:30 and what happens afterward.. especially 12:50 - sounds like me and my wife when im trying to figure out a problem on a car at home lolz, great video! thanks for the great content!

[@Mikheno]

Glad I found this one. My wipers work fine but I have some mouse crud under that cowling. I was avoiding it but now see it comes right off. BTW...I too knew Mrs. "O" was going to hit that horn.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video Eric O

[@wyattoneable]

Excellent video on how you figure things out. Hello Vanessa.

[@JamesThompson-ol3eu]

Excellent video - should help me do this on my 2000 Dodge.

[@Yawwee]

Before any criticism, let's look at the roles of the participants - Eric is the worker - doer - troubleshooter - fixer - replacer - laborer employee !!!! Vanessa is the office worker - phone answerer - customer complaint taker - work order writer - billing person - money collector - administrative person - lunch maker - notifier of job complete, come pick it up - Vanessa is NOT a shop mechanic and should not be expected to know off-on of the key switch, component switches, pedals, gear shift positions, instrument readings, tire pressures, brake lights or tail lights differences !!!!! If you use the highly experienced office help for the lowly laborer work ... then you get frivolous and erroneous readings some of the time ..... just telling it like it is !!!! On another note ... good way to tackle the wiper problem, by checking the obvious power things first, then you can speculate wherein the problem lies and confirm it !!! NEVER EVER EVER chastise the office worker - or you will find out very soon that lunch is not ready, and supper may be nonexistent, as well as the cold shoulder !!!!! Honey gets you more sweetness than vinegar !!!!

[@edwardmartinez199]

We said!

[@heyitschinoable]

Yawwee Shalimar agree

[@RickeyDG]

had to order me one of those topside creepers, it looks real handy

[@waltershulas623]

great video

[@jondwyer3117]

You Mr O would make/ are an exelant teacher. Infact from now on im going to call you `Sir Eric of SMA`

[@edwardmartinez199]

I'll second that.

[@MrRodnick1955]

You have the nicest tool girl in the tube❤️

[@lucyandjumper7558]

Luv the horn beep Mrs O!

[@thesoulxsociety5068]

Wish I could use my noggin as well as you. Thanks a lot on your ways of teaching!

[@archstanton2729]

Your catchphrases are spreading, I was watching the episode of ‘misfit garage’ with the Morris Minor build and one the fellas said “toyt like a tiger”

[@georgeburns7344]

Cool Creeper for working back in the back of the engine room.

[@megamonkey56]

TOPSIDE CREEPER!!!! OMG I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU ALL MY LIFE!!!!!!!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

It must be Dodge week - I've got a '98 Ram 2500 & a '02 1500 I'm working on right now. The '02 got a brake overhaul, including e-brake shoes & hardware, plus axle seals, thanks to that wonderful design. The '98 is getting 2 new hub bearings in the Dana 60 front end, along with axle seals, swaybar end links, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, steering stabilizer, and a mystery plow wired up (plow isn't with truck, but I have the harness and switches - I'll figure out what it's for as I go I suppose, lol), plus I have to diag. the intermittent low speed function and failure to park on the wipers - glad you posted this one! Just in time. :) HA! Sounds like all plow trucks smell the same. I've got a mouse motel in the '94 S10 plow truck. Turn on the heat, and it'll make your nose bleed with mouse pee stench. My wife was gagging and I had to let her out last year while I was plowing, HAHAHA! She couldn't handle the ... odoriferous emanation ... 😁

[@spyder1721]

Smitty Smithsonite isn't it always dodge week? Chrysler product week even

[@SmittySmithsonite]

@@spyder1721 - Yeah, they sure keep the shop busy! 😂

[@spyder1721]

@@SmittySmithsonite I am but a wee parts-slinger but have noticed the abundance of Chrysler products coming in.

[@mr.nobody9630]

Excellent troubleshooting procedure. A+ for the video however not everyone has access to wire diagrams at all time like in the SMA Shop.

[@Blazer02LS]

BBB industries - OEM wiring diagrams for FREE. No excuses now...

[@workingshlub8861]

i was betting on bad ground in that set of 67 grounds that dodge puts in one eyelet under one stud..my ram 1500 washer motor did that to me...nice job eric.

[@scuba422123]

ahhh yes always thinking eric well then the wiggle check and drag test on the connector...but a diagram IS key to any diag I just try to save time

[@DependableAutoTruck]

now i know how to easily test wipers never had to but if don't forget thanks

[@mad618]

lol Mrs. O trying to pull a fast one on you! I enjoy the back and forth between you and Mrs. O, cracks me up

[@richardcranium5839]

used to be you could get a low milage plow truck. cable driven speedometers wouldn't add milage backing up now with electronic ones the speedo doesnt know if its going foreward or reverse it just counts pulses.

[@emporium597]

Excellent vid as usual Mr. O. I'm never jealous of you until you give your wife screen time. Please know you're a lucky man.

[@coollasice4175]

_Brah, I'm still thinking it might be the wiper control module._ Good vid btw.

[@josephlanguemi]

Thanks

[@shaneharrison4775]

Usually with wipers I check ground and fuses before getting into the cowl and yes often check the washer if its attached to the wipers I have worked on some that the washer was separate or just a squeeze bulb type on the floor and be careful with those they have a pressure regulator on them and they often rupture when extreme pressure is applied

[@snappybonesify]

Had the same issue out of my 01. Sat for two years, worked when i parked it. Now 2 weeks later i think it spun the timing chain at 154,000 miles.

[@upallnight888]

Power and Ground and most likely a Dorman replacement motor in 2008. So 10 years of service is not bad. Moth balls in the cab will prevent the little critters from using the Dodge as their private bathroom.

[@suburban404]

Moth balls are a health risk. Check out an MSDS.

[@doug12382]

On my 95 blazer i had wipers that turned on and never turned off unless i turned the key off i pulled a circuit board of the back of the wiper motor and found cracked solder joints resoldered them and its been working great ever since

[@JoshBryan]

Douglas Bigblock Interesting. I had a 98 blazer and the wipers would work on their own, randomly. I wish I had been more mechanically inclined at 24 to try and fix it. I traded it in 2001 for a used Tundra and I'm currently driving my second one.

[@reecenewton3097]

95 Lumina (hated that car!) the speedo and odo went intermittent. Yanked out the dash instrument board and resoldered connections on the printed circuit. Fixed for no $$.

[@UNEEK_LOGIK]

FlowCharts!!. Best way to diagnose You should try it sometime What you do is go all the way to the bottom and see what they want you to replace .. BOOM done @ shipped down the road lol

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Another Sunday morning with the family O. Now I get to go out and do the rear drum brakes on my wife's car. Eric said that if he can do it I can do it...now we find out if that's true. :)

[@hugglescake]

3 wires to the stud? You're the only stud.

[@rwalk9306]

love it

[@FrankPerkins]

Thanks for the video Eric. Is there a way to troubleshoot by removing the wiper motor and applying voltage directly to test to see if it would actuate?

[@ouarkie]

You must be happy to have your Topside Creeper back. That would make that job a lot more comfortable.

[@dougparedes1911]

Great Video Erik, just a quick question, can you share the model and brand of the flashlight you used here, i will appreciate thanks

[@bob2906]

Good explanation what to look for and diagnostic .you could be a teacher and show students your techniques i would be in line for that sign me up. great video by the way.

[@ryguy57106]

That was a good process, just make sure your assistant has the key on. Ha ha

[@ranchdude4367]

When in dought, ( can't spell) turn the KEY off first. Love your show. 1st. class

[@Jayen4]

Richard .... it's 'doubt' ...

[@ranchdude4367]

@@Jayen4 Thank you.

[@tommyj19751]

Topside creeper. I need to get one of those.😁

[@andersonautohelp1563]

I been looking for one....can not find one.

[@BigMac2222]

@@andersonautohelp1563 napas website for pick up in store but way cheaper even with shipping on amazon.

[@kiddbrother3]

great job!!! what happened to the Saving Mrs.O's Sister... Cave Man Style video??

[@edwardmartinez199]

Yes uncle Eric.

[@uncoiledmarrow]

I should film myself working on my truck, maybe I would sware less and stay calm like you lol

[@joshua4620]

I would watch you if you did

[@brianreinhardt4050]

I've been watching Eric for a long time and the first time I actually heard him swear was in his last video...he said the "s-word". lol

[@opl500]

The wiper motor says DORMAN PRODUCTS

[@zx8401ztv]

You mean Dorkman :)

[@edwardmartinez199]

@@zx8401ztv There no so bad.

[@opl500]

Basically being able to read a wiring diagram saves you time.

[@phatkatracing]

Yes.

[@TheWaterman1000]

Had exact same problem with my 94 ram 2500. Think I did a vid on it. any way the intermittent was bad and wired it for hi and low with wiper spd. Found out the motor was still good when I applied direct power and ground to the motor circuit. Still swapped out the motor since it was new and had access to it. The ground was bad for the motor, ck all contact ares and and extra grounding wires for the motor. These had corrosion.

[@billyyoder8171]

Fourth. Thank you Eric O. Have a good day.

[@billyyoder8171]

Another thumbs up for Mrs O braving the scented cab.

[@magnumgamer2270]

Hey Eric O. My 99 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 doesn’t have cruise control. The light well come on but when u turn the wheel the light goes out and well not come back on until you turn the truck off and back on. We shot a cruise control servo at it and check for vacuum leaks and there was none can u please help me trying to figure out where the problem is

[@delta999999]

Hi Eric!

[@dratter24]

I am intrigued with the flashlight that you use. I looked on your Amazon store, but to no avail. Could you give us some information about it and what you like or don't like about it?

[@Scruit]

"I did turn the key of so I don't lose any digits..." I was doing similar work on an old Saturn - turned the wipers off and started working. Well, turns out I turned them to 'intermittent' instead of off... I still have all of my fingers, but now I know what my finger bones look like.

[@TheNickLavender]

I know exactly the smell you are referring to. I used to drive a dodge 15 passenger van for a school that sat a lot. It developed a smell that was like a petting zoo gone bad. Kids used to refer to it as the "camel van" lol.

[@mashiachHomestead]

i’m watching this and can’t help but to think i had this same issue with out 03 EXT V8 Trailblazer, we got a reman wiper motor from NAPA and after installed was soooo freaking loud when it was running.. i wound up getting an OEM Original GM assembly .. sometimes after market part stink..

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

03 Envoy XL with V8. We represent the very minority of 03 V8 owners since these are so rare nowadays!

[@mashiachHomestead]

ChillCosmos thats fine by me 😂 and personally i dont like the smaller Trailblazers.. the one we have is not only a work horse when needed pulling trailers with its 5.3l, it also has that touch of class when driving. 👍

[@FortyTwoAnswerToEverything]

@@mashiachHomestead I know what you mean!! The Envoy short wheel base is ugly in the back, but the XL has a whole different styling in the rear windows. Also, I removed the V8 badges so I can be a sleeper. There is a turbo kit for the Trailblazer SS but I would think it'd fit just fine in our trucks too since there really isn't anything different physically.. the electronics on the other hand may be different since they use a truck computer instead of the generation 4 computers found in 06+ V8's. Anyway, I love it! Anything done to yours? All I have are some nice 20" "Sierra" replicas that look fantastic.

[@throttlebottle5906]

I was waiting for a tail like "grandma taught me, that plow trucks eat wiper motors, because they're often running for 10 to 24+ hours straight" or something like that ;)

[@raybrensike42]

My guess is that strong smelling air fresheners for cars are not for our sense of smell, but for rodent control. Maybe I will get some for my cab, even though I don't like the smell.

[@twatson6252]

My ram 2500 has no windshield wipers and no brake lights at same time fuses are good. I am suspecting a bad combo switch. Weird thing is I have a trailer brake controller and it still lights up when I step on the brake but it doesn't send power to the trailer brakes or tail lights either, unless I slide the brake switch on it then the trailer brakes and the brake lights on the truck and trailer all work.