This damage is usually from the connection itself going bad. Over time corrosion and the heating cycles cause the connection resistance to increase and then the motor current causes the heating damage. Also, these connections fail where the wire is crimped in the terminal. Peel back the insulation and you will see how the wires are oxidized and turned black or green. As for fuse protection fuses are there to protect the wiring from catching fire, not protect motors or light bulbs. This high resistance at the crimp connections is also responsible for many engine operating issues. Checking the ground connections are clean or tight does nothing if the connection is compromised at the crimp or in the wire itself. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Neil N
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 12:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Partially burned rear wiper electrical connector. Motor Heat Damaged it?

Hi all.

Can the rear wiper motor get hot enough to melt plastic?
Or, is this due to wear and tear? (power draw over time, heat )

Image of rear window wiper connector: http://tinyurl.com/jd2q4w3

It appears to be partially burned. Searched but didn't find anything in archives of this. Wiper works.

This Vanagon seems to have had body work done on it. Possibly a collision repair but I think that's limited to the driver side mid ship. Regardless, there's no signs of fire damage anywhere.

Neil.

--
Neil n

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