Before I get started on tracing out a short.

[scubachris]

Tomorrow I will be tackling the issue of a blown fuse for my windshield wiper and blower motor and it helps me to write things down.

One thing that has bothered me is that my windshield wipers and blower motor receive constant power. I don't even have to have the key in it. Is this normal for Fiats?

If so, it would seem that the short would be on the power side because the fuse blows as soon as I put it in and I should start on that side and if not go to the ground side.

If it isn't supposed to always receive power, I will just trace out the wires.

Thanks

[GeorgeT]

The wipers and heater blower should not be powered with the ignition off.

[spider2081]

The wire diagram I have shows the wipers and heater fan fuse connected to the "INT" position of the ignition switch. This terminal of the ignition switch is powered in "start & run" and not "hot" all the time. My first thought is do you have an original Fiat ( Sipea) ignition switch? I believe if you have a replacement switch made for a Lada the "INT" terminal is not used. The wire diagram shows that the "park" feature of the wipers is only powered with the ignition switch in the "ON" position.
The wire diagram shows 2 brown wires on the fuse. One is for the heater fan and one is for the wipers. I would disconnect both from the fuse and then use a test light to identify which one has the short. Then reconnect the other one to the fuse and check that circuit for proper operation. This cuts your troubleshooting area in half.

[scubachris]

The wipers and heater blower should not be powered with the ignition off.

Thanks

[scubachris]

The wire diagram I have shows the wipers and heater fan fuse connected to the "INT" position of the ignition switch. This terminal of the ignition switch is powered in "start & run" and not "hot" all the time. My first thought is do you have an original Fiat ( Sipea) ignition switch? I believe if you have a replacement switch made for a Lada the "INT" terminal is not used. The wire diagram shows that the "park" feature of the wipers is only powered with the ignition switch in the "ON" position.
The wire diagram shows 2 brown wires on the fuse. One is for the heater fan and one is for the wipers. I would disconnect both from the fuse and then use a test light to identify which one has the short. Then reconnect the other one to the fuse and check that circuit for proper operation. This cuts your troubleshooting area in half.

Thanks, that's what I thought. How do I use a test light to trace a short? Thanks

[spider2081]

Thanks, that's what I thought. How do I use a test light to trace a short? Thanks

connect one end of the test light to the wire terminal you removed from the fuse. Be sure you have a good fuse in the panel and connect the other end of the test light to t he fuse. Do this with both Brown wires you have removed from the fuse. The light should light brightest when the wire that has the short is tested. Then connecting the other wire back to the fuse lets you know which circuit is working, so the other circuit has the short. Then you can focus on that part of wiring. Do you have a wire diagram? If not join the Mirafiori site and check out their library of wire diagrams.

[scubachris]

Thanks, that's what I thought. How do I use a test light to trace a short? Thanks

connect one end of the test light to the wire terminal you removed from the fuse. Be sure you have a good fuse in the panel and connect the other end of the test light to t he fuse. Do this with both Brown wires you have removed from the fuse. The light should light brightest when the wire that has the short is tested. Then connecting the other wire back to the fuse lets you know which circuit is working, so the other circuit has the short. Then you can focus on that part of wiring. Do you have a wire diagram? If not join the Mirafiori site and check out their library of wire diagrams.

I have the wiring diagram off of Brad's sight. So, I just ran a test and one of them lit up and one didn't. Thanks, now i will trace it out.

Edit: It is the windshield wipers. Can I disconnect the windshield wiper motor and still check for a short? Sort of narrow it down?

[spider2081]

yes do the test exactly the same way with the windshield motor disconnected. If the light still lights the short is in the wiring before the motor. If the light does not light then you could reconnect the brown wire to the fuse and the fuse should no longer blow as t he wiper motor has the short.
I think you have another problem in that the fuse for the wipers and heater fan should not have power until the ignition switch is turned on.

[scubachris]

yes do the test exactly the same way with the windshield motor disconnected. If the light still lights the short is in the wiring before the motor. If the light does not light then you could reconnect the brown wire to the fuse and the fuse should no longer blow as t he wiper motor has the short.
I think you have another problem in that the fuse for the wipers and heater fan should not have power until the ignition switch is turned on.

Awesome, appreciate the help. I've had the car for about a year now and it has always had constant power.

[spider2081]

I would look at the wire feeding the fuse, it is the wire on the top of the fuse and see if it is blue with a red stripe. If it is then it should be going to the ignition switch terminal with the "int" next to it. Also is the name Sipea stamped in the shinny front of the switch or does it have roman numerals?

[scubachris]

I would look at the wire feeding the fuse, it is the wire on the top of the fuse and see if it is blue with a red stripe. If it is then it should be going to the ignition switch terminal with the "int" next to it. Also is the name Sipea stamped in the shinny front of the switch or does it have roman numerals?

I have Roman numerals on the ignition switch. Disconnected the wiper motor and tested again. The short is in the dash somewhere. Next weekend I will have to take the dash out and find the short. I didn't get a chance to see what color the wire was.

[spider2081]

If the face of your ignition switch has roman numerals on it chances are it is a Lada switch. It sounds to me it is improperly installed. I'm thinking the "INT" terminals have a wire on them and I'm pretty sure that is not correct for a Sipder. A couple people have posted the correct way to wire the switch with nice drawings. I'm not sure who did that but maybe someone could repost it for you. Maybe if the ignition switch wiring is corrected the short will be corrected also.

[scubachris]

I would look at the wire feeding the fuse, it is the wire on the top of the fuse and see if it is blue with a red stripe. If it is then it should be going to the ignition switch terminal with the "int" next to it. Also is the name Sipea stamped in the shinny front of the switch or does it have roman numerals?

So the blue with red strip wire is going to the fuse box. I guess that is my problem. I will try searching for the LADA diagram.

Thanks again.

[kmoses]

You might also check to see that your wiper linkage moves freely (remove the wiper motor and move the linkage by hand. Mine was blowing fuses because the wiper arm shafts were allmost frozen sending the motor amps way up.

[scubachris]

You might also check to see that your wiper linkage moves freely (remove the wiper motor and move the linkage by hand. Mine was blowing fuses because the wiper arm shafts were allmost frozen sending the motor amps way up.

Thanks, my wipers mover freely. It is defiantly a short.