Expert: Roland Finston - 6/18/2011

Question
The control lights for my windshield wipers have been blinking for YEARS.  Within the last week the engine fan continued to run after shutting the van off.  Then a few days later, the engine overheated while sitting in traffic and again a few days later.  Last night, I went to start the van and the brake pedal froze and would not move.  I made an appointment with the garage as soon as I had the overheating issues, I assumed it was A/C or engine fan related but a friend said it may be body control module issues.  What do you think?

Answer
Hi Karen,
The flashing of the wiper lights is an indication that the heater/ac unit thinks that the calibration of the various internal control doors needs attention. You can initiate a new calibration by: starting and idling the engine, set the blower on high, set the mode of air distribution to be the Panel, open all the AC outlets, set temp controls to cold, then depress the wash and reat wiper buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds until all LED's light. While the calibration is running for about 2 minutes first the rear wiper and intermittent will alternatively flash, then the AC and recirc lights will alternatively flash. Finally if the calibration is successfully completed only the rear wipe will flash and you can press that to stop the flashing. If after all the flashing stops (and about 2 minutes of time) tell me what lights continue to flash and whether simultaneously or alternatively as these are codes as to any problems.
The problem with the fan continuing to run and then the overheating probably is a failure of the fan relay, first to shut off, and then a later failture to run the fan at all. There was a factory recall of this radiator fan solid-state relay in the latter 90's so you might be able to get that replaced free of charge if it wasn't done in the past. The factory will have a record of this history which the dealership can check out on-line. It is not too difficult to change out but does require removal and replacement and securing to the frame rail on the left side. You remove the marker lamp on the left side and look up inside to see it.
The brake pedal may simply be binding in its mounting bracket that would be relieved by lubricating the bushings about which it rotates with oil. Or one of the brake pads/shoes may be failing to release after applying the brakes. So check out those two possibilities.
Roland
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Thank you

Roland