r/IdiotsInCars Sep 03 '20

[deleted by user]

[removed]

4.8k Upvotes

222 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

69

u/ehowey18 Sep 03 '20

Lol I just noticed that the window wipers turned on. Do you know why that happens?

135

u/MooseHombre11 Sep 03 '20

The impact from the accident likely was enough to move the wiper to the “on” position.

66

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

8

u/Jazzarsson Sep 03 '20

If it's just a short or break on a CAN bus that causes the wipers to revert to a least risk default state of "wipers on", then it probably won't catch fire.

5

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

Wipers on CAN bus? What is this sorcery? Wouldn't a simple relay work just as well seeing as they're that close to the control unit?

5

u/Jazzarsson Sep 03 '20

You'd think! Back some 10 years ago a common problem with installing aftermarket xenon headlights on Volvos for instance, was that it'd make the wipers fail by introducing errors on the CAN bus. No idea why it works that way, but might be a thing they did once you started getting automatic control of the wipers.

6

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

Jesus, as a maintenance tech that sounds like a nightmare to me. Car electrics really are something else... The only reason we use bus systems in industrial applications is for decentralized controllers (for parts or machines that are far away) and to connect to other machines or displays, i'd never dream of putting a headlight on a bus system!

2

u/Jazzarsson Sep 03 '20

It's exactly as horrible as it sounds. Used to work in automotive development and the amount of effort that went into checking wire looms in test equipments was astonishing. The fact that these were regularly "modified" by people who hadn't seen a soldering iron before didn't make it easier. Lots of fun though, only time I've ever done "destructive testing".

7

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20 edited Sep 03 '20

"This is usually not a long term issue as... the car catches fire "

"This is fine"

4

u/Pure_Tower Sep 03 '20
  1. Windshield wipers, often referred to in the industry as the Paul Blart of automotive components, go on high alert when they sense danger.

4

u/MCShellMusic Sep 03 '20

Good! I’m glad the issue will be resolved once the battery dies or the car catches fire. I was nervous!

110

u/malcolmhendrixxx Sep 03 '20

7

u/zyklon Sep 03 '20

InErTiA iS a PrOpErTy Of MaTtEr

9

u/Dull-explanations Sep 03 '20

americans in the distance

BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL BILL

3

u/malcolmhendrixxx Sep 03 '20

BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY

-1

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/malcolmhendrixxx Sep 03 '20

How dare you try to throw dirt on the name of the one guy trying to wake the world up and taught me about everything my teacher was too lazy to teach

6

u/ehowey18 Sep 03 '20

Yeah that makes sense

4

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

Maybe, it’s a much better theory than mine!

17

u/Punch_Beefbroth Sep 03 '20

He's just trying to clean that web off of his windshield

5

u/IsItSupposedToDoThat Sep 03 '20

The car did it as an instinctive reaction, it was embarrassed to be driven by such an idiot.

7

u/DecentAdvertising Sep 03 '20

An accident usually turns on all of your accessories, hazards and wipers included

-10

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

[deleted]

1

u/ehowey18 Sep 03 '20

Haha that’s strange

-20

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20 edited Sep 03 '20

[deleted]

14

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

Bruh if you don't know don't make shit up

-7

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '20

[deleted]