Ok, I need help. I have a 1983 LE. When I turn on the radio, it comes on, and so do the windshield wipers. If I leave the radio off and just turn on the wipers, the wipers work as they should and the radio stays off.

I have checked all the fuses, they are ok, that is about the limit of my electrical knowledge.
I did find two plugs under the front left side of the console, I think both had eight compartments. One had a cap with a wire that connected two of the brass conections, the other plug had no cap. I tried switching the cap to the other plug, the wipers worked but no power at all to the radio, so I switched it back. Any suggestions.

I recently had a body shop install a dash cover to hide the split on the original, but they claim they didn’t move any wires and everything worked as it should when it left their shop.

Thanks in advance

 

Is it an aftermarket or factory radio?

 

[QUOTE=KansasCityREPU;12478357]Is it an aftermarket or factory radio?[/QUOTE

it is the original factory radio

 

Of course they said that. Hmmm, might have to get out the wiring diagram to see whats up. When you say dash cover do you mean they had to replace the old one or just cover it with a shell? If they replaced the old one they would have to pull apart things to get it done and could have easily pinched or otherwise hit some wires.

 

I had this problem, what a pain.

For a long time I just removed the fuse for the wipers so I could use the radio (1983 LE).

Then, if I ran into some wet weather, I put the fuse back in.

I got pretty good at this, could install the fuse while driving without looking at the box.

But it was a pain, so eventually I figured it out.

Turns out when I installed an aftermarket power antenna according to Jim Rothe's tutorial I didn't get the wiring quite right.

I changed some wires around, problem fixed, turning the radio on powers up the antenna but not the wipers.

 

Ray to the rescue!
:-)

 

I bet Ray has been waiting for years for someone to have that problem so he could share the fix!
OGTA to the rescue!

 

Man, I felt so lonely. Now I've got a friend with the same problem.

In an 83 LE, no less. I'll bet it's chateau silver.

Robert, you remember me having to pull over when it started raining on that mountain trip a few years ago?

That was before I learned how to insert the wiper fuse while driving.

runner83, just pull the fuse for now, put it in when it rains.

That will give you an idea whether it's worth fixing or not.

 

yes it is Silver, I did change the antenna, but that was years ago.
I have it in a local shop, I will report back on any progress.
tnank you to everyone who took the time to respond, I appreciate it.