The Ghost Motor

[Bullhead]

Well got a few relay's in and the wiper motor is still trying to run all the time with the engine and key off. Did a troubleshoot and it looks fine according to manual. I guess I'm going to have to buy a new relay but I don't see 3 relays being bad.

[Navarone]

The Ghost Motor

Yup, I think there's a problem between the stalk and the relay, somehow there's constant 12v getting to the switch line. I'm guessing something is broken in or under the steering column. Test for voltage everywhere, there shouldn't even be voltage at the fuse up top when the key is off.

[Bullhead]

Well I just discovered my radio can be turned on with the key off as well. I may have a faulty ignition switch, the wiper controller on the steering column will change the wipers from fast to slow but the intermediate does not work. The check engine warning screen at the top of the windshield is also staying on. The fuel pump seems to be off, man I'm stumped, I am not a wiring guru, just an engine and suspension guru by choice. I will try to learn though. Thanks as always for the info it is much appreciated.

[Bullhead]

Also there is power to the wiper relay at all times, is their an ignition switch relay besides the key switch?

[Navarone]

The Ghost Motor

The ignition should switch on a main relay that sends power to the fuse box. It could be a stuck relay or bad ignition switch. Sadly I can't find wiring schematics for the fuse box past the fuses to any type of main relay. There is what's called a main relay in the 325 cars on a bracket near the air box with two other relays for fuel and something, but the 318 doesn't seem to have it so I can't go tickle my car and tell you what to test.

I'll keep looking :/

[Bullhead]

What is the little clear box with the knob on it beside the fuse box under the hood? I want to turn it so bad I can't stand it lol, like the red button. I will look for the relay you are talking about, I bet it is stuck open. I have to turn my key switch on for my ac/heat and windows to work though so that part is working properly.

[Navarone]

Yeah I think I'm mistaken but I can't find a schematic to double check. I'm reading the manuals now, I think the main relay between the shock tower and the throttle body on the bracket with two other relays only sends power to the fuel pumps and the ecu. Maybe it doesn't send power to the fuse box for accessories.

If your other accessories are working as they should then I don't think the ignition switch is bad. If I could only poke around or find a schematic I'd be able to find the problem pretty quickly!

You'll have to post a pic, I have no idea.

[Bullhead]

Yeah I think I'm mistaken but I can't find a schematic to double check. I'm reading the manuals now, I think the main relay between the shock tower and the throttle body on the bracket with two other relays only sends power to the fuel pumps and the ecu. Maybe it doesn't send power to the fuse box for accessories.

If your other accessories are working as they should then I don't think the ignition switch is bad. If I could only poke around or find a schematic I'd be able to find the problem pretty quickly!

You'll have to post a pic, I have no idea.

Roger that, I wish I was electronically sound as you are. I will get some pics of the engine bay and get them up here in 10 minutes or sooner.

[Bullhead]

Here are some pics of the relay and fuse boxes (2) that I have, the small black box has been uncovered.

[Navarone]

The Ghost Motor

I think that's a thumb screw and there's a fuse inside the cover.

[Bullhead]

I think that's a thumb screw and there's a fuse inside the cover.

Right on, I haven't messed with it.

[Bullhead]

Well I just opened the 5 pin silver relay that was in the small relay box up, and some plastic fell out. This may have been some kind of sealant or epoxy for the case. The relay is not stuck closed but it does look weak. Can I test this with a 9v battery from a big flash light to see if it closes properly?

[Navarone]

A large flashlight battery is only 6v so the relay might not work with low voltage.

Rope and bungee cords doesn't look promising for quality electronic repairs.

I found a better book, I was wrong about the main relay so ignore that, the wiper control gets power through fuse 5 that goes right through the ignition switch while in acc, run start.

If only the ignition switch is bad then the wiper stalk should still work to turn wipers off.
If only the wiper stalk is bad then the key in off should turn the wipers off.
If both are bad then even with the key off there is still power going to fuse 5 through the key, and the stalk is still telling the control unit to turn on the wipers through a fault in the stalk itself.
If both are good then you have 12v spliced in somewhere wrong.

If you did the wiper control box test in the scanned page I posted a while ago and the only 12v you find is at fuse 5, pin 15 and pin 85 then the ignition switch is bad or constant 12v has bypassed the ignition switch and been shorted or spliced into a wire somewhere, but wipers should still turn off with stalk.

With the key and stalk off, check if there is power on any of the other pins where the wiper control unit plugs in to, please let me know which pin and we can go from there.

Try pulling fuse 12 and see if any of the problems go away, tell me everything that changes. Fuse 12 is hot in acc, run, start for radio and instrument cluster.

[Bullhead]

Roger that, the bungee and rope are helping me hold stuff out of the way for the tranny swap lol.

[Navarone]

Oh ok, thought they were repairs from the previous owner