2005 Ford Focus ZX5
So I have had a very interesting electrical issue (assuming it is given certain signs). It started with my SRS light was very inconsistently illuminating (would come on for one drive then not come on for a week). Now it's on all the time, I can't open my trunk with the button (which you can hear it activate so I know it at least still functions), but it will open only with activating the rear windshield wiper. Any thoughts to where I should look specifically? I have not had one good lead on any form out there so any help would be great!

Thanks!

 

I don't know about any good lead, but There may be a wiring problem in the wiring that flexes every time you open the hatch . Pretty sure the wiring for the rear wiper is in there too.
The hatch may be using the rear wiper wiring for a ground.. This can take some time to isolate and pin down because all wiring is neatly packed into a nice harness.

A good shop should be able to find the spot and correct the connection/problem. Most times a ground wire is usually BLACK. Most times,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,...

 

It just seems odd that it would progressively get worse over time. I don't remember if I ever did mention it progressively got worse over time. Like some times my wiper would open it, and other times the button on both the car and key fob would activate the wiper without the key even in the ignition. Also, it seems too coincidental that my SRS light would gradually come on more and now it's just on the whole time. For all I know it may be the ground in the rear, but now that I think about it, it could also be up in the front, but I'm not the electrical person.

I'm also not willing to spend the high amount of money at a shop just because collage, but i may have to. Thanks for the help though! It at least gives me an idea of where to look!

 

From the info you provided earlier, and the possible conclusion you came to, would love to know where you plan to start looking.

A lot of times those ground places are hidden and you have to open up unbelievable places to find them.

 

Ok so I had a scan done on my whole car including the SRS system since it was displaying a light, and no codes whatsoever. Either it is a ground somewhere that's causing that whole system to freak out, or a wire or a few on the harness to the front and whatnot. I'll probably have to dig for grounds. I did check the grounds in the back near the wiper and whatnot, which visually seemed fine, but may not be.

 

I think I figured out the windshield wiper issue. Upon further inspection, I noticed the black/red and black/blue wires are both completely torn. Not sure if it's the root cause of it all, but I won't know unless I get it fixed, considering my rear wiper is barely moving now as well

 

I can confirm it was the issue (rear wiper and trunk). Another wire or 2 broke and now the rear wiper won't move at all. Guess I gotta fix it eventually.

As for the SRS light, I replaced the clock spring shortly after making the initial post, it went away for about a year, came back, dielectric greased the connectors, went away for another few months, and now it's been back on ever since again so it may need to be replaced again. I don't have the means to replace it right now as I have a few other repairs and maintenance that need to be done.

 

Clock springs give very little trouble and it is unusual that it needs to be replaced so often.

If the front wheels are not perfectly centered and the clock spring in it's central position of travel when installed might have some bearing on why the repeat problem.

There are several inputs that are involved with the SRS and each should be verified functioning correctly before replacing a possibly good clockspring.