A few questions about my '87 Civic Hatchback

I would check the reservoir once more and even add an ounce or so of
fresh brake fluid to see if the problem goes away. The most common
reason for sinking fluid level is the normal wear on pads and shoes, so
have a look at your brake linings as well just to be sure you have
enough left.

As for the rear wiper, there really isn't much that can go wrong. The
rear wiper is on the same fuse as the front wiper, so seems like the
fuse is fine. There are no relays in the circuit. For some further
diagnosis, unplug the connector from the wiper motor. Measure continuity
between body ground and the black wire. There should be continuity
unless there is a break in the wire somewhere. Then measure voltage
between the black wire and the green/black wire with the ignition on.
There should be battery voltage unless there is a break in the wire
somewhere. Then turn off the ignition and turn on the switch for the
rear wiper. Measure continuity between the green wire and body ground.
There should be continuity. If not, you either have a bad switch or a
break in the wire.

A likely place for wires to break is where it goes from the car body
into the rear hatch. 17 years of opening and closing etc. Wouldn't
surprise me it the switch has given up either. Let me know if you want
scans from the service manual.

"Jon N." wrote:
 >
 > Vehicle is an '87 Civic Hatchback with around 85,000 miles.
 >
 > 1) Brake light indicator on the dash started to light only when I took a
 > hard right turn, but now stays on pretty much all the time. Brake fluid
 > levels are fine. Any other ideas?
 >
 > 2) Back windshield wiper doesn't work (hasn't since I bought the car a year
 > ago). Might this be something easy or more likely a major problem. Also,
 > weirdly, the windshield wiper fluid squirts out onto the rear windshield
 > when I accelerate hard out of first gear (maybe it's just excited?).
 >
 > Thanks!
 >
 > Jon
 >> Stay informed about: A few questions about my '87 Civic Hatchback 

On 3/14/04 8:23 PM, in article 1059q87leh6kldb DeleteThis @corp.supernews.com, "Jon N."
wrote:

 > Vehicle is an '87 Civic Hatchback with around 85,000 miles.
 >
 > 1) Brake light indicator on the dash started to light only when I took a
 > hard right turn, but now stays on pretty much all the time. Brake fluid
 > levels are fine. Any other ideas?
 >

The brake light is connected to two things: fluid level in the master
cylinder and the parking brake.

If you are sure the fluid level is OK, check the float in the master
cylinder (its connected to the lid). Make sure it moves freely and the
wires are not pinched under the lid.

If the low fluid level sensor checks out, then check the parking brake. The
most likely cause for an errant brake light is the parking/emergency brake
lever is not all the way down. Is it in adjustment? Does the light flicker
or go out when the lever is put all the way down? Check that the switch
works (its usually somewhere around the base of the handle).


 > 2) Back windshield wiper doesn't work (hasn't since I bought the car a year
 > ago). Might this be something easy or more likely a major problem. Also,
 > weirdly, the windshield wiper fluid squirts out onto the rear windshield
 > when I accelerate hard out of first gear (maybe it's just excited?).
 >

Pull off the electrical connector on the rear wiper motor and check that 12V
is present when the switch is turned on. If it is, then the wiper motor is
bad. It no voltage is present, then you either have a blown fuse/ popped
relay, or the wiring is damaged somewhere between the wiper motor and the
switch in the cockpit. The most likely place for wire damage is where it
runs between the rear hatch and the car body.
 >> Stay informed about: A few questions about my '87 Civic Hatchback 

"E. Meyer" wrote in message

 >
 > Pull off the electrical connector on the rear wiper motor and check that
12V
 > is present when the switch is turned on. If it is, then the wiper motor
is
 > bad. It no voltage is present, then you either have a blown fuse/ popped
 > relay, or the wiring is damaged somewhere between the wiper motor and the
 > switch in the cockpit. The most likely place for wire damage is where it
 > runs between the rear hatch and the car body.

Before I would say the wiper motor is bad, I would check all of the contacts
in the male and female connection plugs (it's a lot more affordable than a
new motor) <g>.

--
Brian
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.accesswave.ca/~orion" target="_blank">www.accesswave.ca/~orion</a>
 >> Stay informed about: A few questions about my '87 Civic Hatchback