2008 4runner windshield wiper question

[swegen]

We had a freak snow storm recently. the snow was heavy and good for snowballs but also packed up under the wipers to the extent the wipers could not "PARK". So on the return stroke they were stopped by the packed snow and nothing would stop them from trying to get to the park position. I thought I could smell that hot electrical smell so I parked and cleared the snow. That allowed the wipers to function normally. Everything all good now BUT why did the wipers have NO safety o'load? Something broke? missing? failed? How to find out what the system is and how it functions?

 

[techno]

Here's the wiring diagram and operation description, if this helps...
4runnerclub.com/i/4r_files/fsm/ToyManuals-2007-4Runner/toyfsrm/07toyewd/07toypdf/ewdsrc/2007/4runner/h/em03m23.pdf

 

[mwebster22]

Same issue but worse from my daughter in Denver. Here were stuck with packed snow too. Now she says they won’t work on “intermittent “ or whatever it’s called, and says that whenever she uses then turns them off they stop at that position without returning to park. Advice?

 

[_chassis_]

Partial functioning after overload usually means it's time for a new motor.

Electrical smell means something went over current. None of the fuses blew, so either the fuses installed are the wrong (too high) amperage or the motor was on its way out anyway, and the heavy snow was the coupe de grace. Sounds also like time for a new motor.

 

[mwebster22]

Thanks for replying. What has me thinking that it’s something other than the motor is that they work fine on low and high, just not on intermittent nor will they return to the park position when switched off.

And that wiring diagram is cool, but I’m not smart enough to figure it out...