Got a problem with son's TP SE Wagon... the washers occasionally start by themselves which makes the wipers run as well. Have to pull the fuse to stop them. Suspected the wiper / washer switch so down to the wreckers for another one. Changed it out still the same. Found that pulling the washer motor plug triggered the problem. Then found that shutting the bonnet set it off as well. So I'm looking at a wiring fault?

The dodgy manuals I've got aren't much help. Could be a short in the wiring between the switches and the wiper timer (one manual calls it a relay, one calls it a timer)?

Can anyone direct me to the wiper timer / relay so I can check the wiring? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Regards, David.

The relay is what triggers the wipers and pump, while the timer controls the duration of the wiping. I'm taking a wild guess here, as I have a KR, but all the relays are usually concentrated in the engine bay and cabin fuse boxes.

If you've replaced everything else, I'd the that the relay is the culprit.

Good luck in finding the problem, and welcome to AMC :D

you are lucky

you usually have to buy a very expensive car to get self activating wipers:badgrin:


its a TP they dont have wiring problems

wiper motor pump has probably earthed inside

get out and activate the wiper arms manually by hand so you can see :nuts:

doesnt rain much these days

If it's EFI I think it's behind the air intake, if it's carby it will be next to the battery.

Thanks, after a bit of poking & prodding the problem went away for a while, now it only happens 'sometimes'. I think I've got a spare washer pump so I'll see if that helps. (All the running on a dry windscreen loosened the driver's side crank, a few hits with the linear force amplifier tightened it up again......;) )

Re the relays etc - I've found the relay box under the bonnet and up under the dash but nothing's marked for the wiper system so none the wiser there. If anybody knows where the timer & relay are please let me know.

Thanks again,