Windshield wipers & more

My daughter's '93 Chevy Suburban has developed several weird symptoms. The windshield wipers come on by themselves and can also be activated by turning on the heater fan or turn signals. My husband tried to find the problem today and ended up removing an added security device (not original equipment) and trailer brake lights wiring. While sitting in the driveway with the ignition switch on (but engine off), we could turn on the wipers with their switch, turn the switch to off position, turn on the left then right turn signals and the wipers would turn off. The gauges would move when we did this, which hubby said was wrong. And each time we turned on something, the radio would turn off and then turn back on. I drove the outfit and the wipers stayed on the whole time, except for a short while when I was stopped. When I would slow down to turn, the "check gauges" light would come on.

What would be the easiest thing (and cheapest) to start with in looking for the problem? My daughter has been pulling the fuse but with summer ending and rain starting, this won't be a good option.

My husband thought the problem might be a ground wire but there are a mass of wires and he couldn't tell what was what. Relay switch also crossed his mind but he didn't thing that would cause all the other weird activity.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy way to chase down electrical problems

Any non-factory electronics are suspect, as well as grounds and any and all involved wiring
Tough to check out w/o a wiring diagram

Slow and steady checking of any/all involved wiring, keeping notes, and with the assorted tools (multi meter-or the specialty fault/break finder) can be helpful

Perhaps in the meantime, someone more familiar with this model may know of a common problem specific to Suburbans and post up

 

Thanks for your input. I forgot to add the Suburban has an added stereo that I was wondering about. Duane was considering disconnecting it today after work. Not being our vehicle, we're not sure how these symptoms came on, if it was gradual or what. The kids bought it very well used from someone they knew and trusted. Duane thought he could get a schematic of the factory wiring at the library.

And yeah, if anyone else has any ideas, let me know!

 

Though they may not be the cause of the problem, any add-ons are highly suspect, even if professionally installed, and certainly worth looking at first

I'm not sure if they have your vehicle's wiring diagram, but it's worth a look over at www.autozone.com
You'll have to punch in some info as to your make and model, and look around a bit to see if they have them
But I wouldn't be surprised if they did

 

Duane found a loose ground as soon as he looked under the hood today. Amazing what a break from a project (and possibly some sleep) can do! Thanks much.

 

Did that loose ground cause the problems?

 

Yes, it was the cause of all the problems I described. My guess is when the previous owner had a new battery installed, they only finger tightened the nut and it gradually worked its way looser until the ground wire only made contact when they drove over a speed bump or something. (They had said that often got the windshield wipers started.) Hope this is helpful to you.