I took an intermittent wiper from a truck I parted out and installed it in my daughters truck. When I started the truck, I felt some slight electrical tingling. The wiper barely worked and then I realized there must be a short in the unit. Is it junk? I imagine the problem is in the box. is there a fuse?

 

The only fuse is the one in the fuse panel, there isn't a separate fuse for the delay box.
If there is a problem with the wiper governor (the box) then you'll need to replace it. AFAIK they aren't repairable.

 

You're going to have to be more descriptive. Specifically:

What's included in "intermittent wiper?" The switch and governor?

What does that mean specifically? You got shocked? Where were both of your hands when this happened? What was the position of the key?

What specifically does "barely work" mean? Not fast enough? Some switch positions don't work? Please speak in black and white terms. If any part of the system had what I would consider to be a "short" then the sole fuse responsible for the wiper system should have blown (note the washer is a separate fuse).

 

I removed a switch and governor from another truck

I plugged it in on the truck and wanted to do a test before I installed it for good.

I then started the truck and held the ground wire to a good ground. I can't remember my exact position, but i think one foot on the ground and the other in the cab. I think IO first felt the shock against the seat hinge, then my leg at the rocker panel.

During this time I had maybe two successful wipes from the wiper while I changed the speed.

I also heard some noises coming from the governor that sounded like something loose.

I reinstalled the old one and called it a day.

 

Sounds like a moot point since you got rid of it, but in general, holding a ground in place yourself should be avoided. This is especially true of these trucks and vehicles in general, where the main power source is ultra-low impedance, and there are many inductive loads.