When I bought my 90 westy, the rear wiper motor was toast, i.e. plastic
parts inside were melted away.  You just gave me insight into what happened.
I had always assumed it had been shorted by a water leak.....
Good to know.
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: Markus Benne <markus@CEYBA.COM>
> Reply-To: Markus Benne <markus@CEYBA.COM>
> Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2002 08:08:09 -0400
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Oops!  Almost blew a wiper motor.
>
> We had a freak snow here, and it was the major wet heavy stuff.
>
> I didn't properly clean my back window before driving off.  Turns out
> the wiper couldn't handle it.
>
> A few minutes after driving, I had the unmistakable smell of electrical
> stuff burning.
>
> I pulled over and (fortunately I don't have the hatch interior panel in
> right now...) and that motor was HOT.
>
> I cleaned off the snow and the motor still works.
>
> Shouldn't a fuse have blown?
>
> Any idea how to get the smell out of my van?  The window has been open
> for two days...
>
> Thanks,
> ...Markus
>