07 Sierra. Windshield Washer Went Crazy.

dan1973ct · January 26, 2009

I was sitting in my 07 Sierra 1500(Not Classic) and my windshield washer went crazy and started running in it it's own. I had to pull the fuse to get it to stop. What could cause this?

Supertech64 · January 26, 2009

Could be a short in the heated washer fluid module, but you would really have to watch it on the Tech2 to know that for sure. There was also a TSB on people accidently hitting the heated washer fluid button, but that would have shut off after four cycles(I think its up to 40 seconds for the first cycle then 20 seconds more for each of the remaining).

2007 should still be under waranty though.

Edit: After looking at TSB's there is one about a leak at o-ring connector at the windshield washer solvent heater pigtail that allows washer solvent to wick down the harness that could also be your problem(which would require replaceing the windshield wiper heater module with an updated part).

grosss · January 27, 2009

Yea, same happened to me once when I was driving one of the trucks we had at work (used to work for a rental company) It went wacky on me while I was driving and the wipers and jets came on for a good couple of cycles... it happened right after the low washer fluid light came on... I figured it was some weird new thing the truck did when it was low on fluid... even though it almost caused an accident because I couldn't see while merging onto the highway!

Glad to know it's not normal... it was a scary experience.

dan1973ct · January 28, 2009

Where is the heated washer module located? Does anyone have a part number for it? My truck has 83000 miles and my warranty is expired. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

grosss · January 28, 2009

Where is the heated washer module located? Does anyone have a part number for it? My truck has 83000 miles and my warranty is expired. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm pretty sure GM did a huge recall on the heated washer module for the trucks recently.. yup, here's off of a quick google search:

08/29/08 GM is recalling 944,000 trucks, cars and SUVs equipped with the automaker's heated washer fluid system. A short on the circuit board that controls the heater may overheat the circuit ground wire and cause electrical components to malfunction, creating an odor, smoke or a possible fire. GM will correct the washer system by having its dealers install a wiring harness equipped with an inline fuse. If the system experiences a short circuit, the fuse will blow, shutting off power to the faulty area.

I'd say your system might fall under the "malfunctioning" category. Wouldn't hurt to go in and ask the dealer if it's causing your issue, because then it's a free fix!

Supertech64 · January 29, 2009

If you are elegible for that recall and it has not been installed, it may be your problem, and you may be able to get it fixed for free by a dealer.

...care to PM me the last 8 of your vin so I can see if you have the recall?

dan1973ct · January 29, 2009

I did have the recall done this week to see if it would fix the problem. All they did was plug a new harness under the hood. I still have the problem. I will PM you the last eight of my VIN. Thanks for the help.

CHEVIN · January 29, 2009

call the chevy comp. tell them your vin number they will ask you to brin it i and they will fix it. i have had three cars and trucks i know that had new ones put in

Supertech64 · January 29, 2009

PM replyed to.

Just a note though(and kind of repeating info in PM for the general public), the recall is not a fix, it is a preventative(in this case adding a fuse to stop circuit damage). Since you already had the problem it did nothing for you. Im really surprised they let it go out the door without function testing it and seeing that it was messed up.

I would have told them about the problem and that I had heard of a recall when I went to the service counter, they would not have much choice but to diag it then.

I would go back to the dealer and see if they can help you out. (Looking at the diag page, besides the module it could be the fuse block or the BCM bad, but they are alot less likely...and I would hate to see you throw money away if GM can help you)

You do have RPO XA7(and was built 11/17/2006 before the 2/12/07 production fix) listed in the document about the fluid leaking past the o-ring and messing up the module(needing an updated module) and corroding the wireing(you need to pay attention to the terminals when you unplug it to check that) I was talking about in my first post. Its not a recall, but its a good pointer to what is wrong with it.

Updated Windshield Wiper Heater Module P/N 15897902. From what I see online the price range is $139.86 to $243.25. http://www.gmpartsdepartment.com seem to be the cheapest, your definately going to pay on the high end at a dealer.