My windshield wipers have been giving me an intermittent problem lately. When I turn the switch to delay, sometimes it will work, sometimes will not. If I mess with the switch they will work, but slow, like they are sluggish. Sometimes the wipers will stop mid "swipe". I replaced the switch with a JY one and it does the same thing. I also replaced the wiper motor, still doing the same thing. I ordered a new switch so ill see what that does for me. I was wondering if im missing anything? Is there a wiper relay or something? To my knowledge there is not. But today looking under the dash I noticed a black box just to the right of the wiper switch. Is that part of the wiper wiring? Sorry for my lack of knowledge on the wiper system. If yall could help me it would be greatly appreciated. I need these things fixed, its starting to rain down here in Houston haha. Truck is a 1986 F250. Thanks

 

I suspect the switch. Let's hope the new one fixes it. The black box is the timing/delay box for the system.

 

there is a black box inline with the wiper switch it's the wiper delay module.try swap out a know good one to see what happens.I believe you can just unplug module and plug in switch to rule that out

 

From the 1981 EVTM:

 

The delay "wiper speed governor" boxes go bad all the time.
Solder joints break free and make intermittent contact from the constant jarring of releasing the parking brake (to which they are attached)

You can open the box up and resolder the heatsink.
I've done that a few times and even posted the pictures here on FTE.

Now I wrapped the box in foam rubber and zip tied it up behind the fuse panel.
It has not failed since I took it off the mounting arm.

The box says in bold letters "DO NOT DROP" for a reason....
Vibration is the enemy.

 

E9TZ-17C476-A (replaced E4TZ-17C476-A & E7TZ-17C476-A) .. Intermittent Wiper Governor (Motorcraft SW-2259) / Available from Ford

1984 F150/350 & Bronco from production date 7/1984 ~ 1985/91 F150/350 & Bronco.

 

Bill
I'm using an e9tz17c476a (SW2259) without problem.
Has the number been superseded?

 

I sure do appreciate it gentlemen. It all makes sense now, my truck being diesel and standard transmission, causing a lot of vibration from using the parking brake all the time. I'm going to stop at my Ford dealer today on my way home and see if I can get a new wiper delay box. That along with new motor and switch it has to work...we'll see

 

No you can't.
The Non-Delay switch will plug into the harness.
The delay switch will only plug into a delay module.
And the output plug of the delay module is the same as a non-delay switch.....

Just for point of trouble shooting, the delay switch has a ground wire that MUST be connected for the wipers to operate.
The little lug tab can come loose from the ground screw or break off, disabling the wipers entirely.
You might want to check that before digging deeper into the dash... or spending your hard earned money.
These things are north of a C-note, from the dealer.

 

SouthTexas, You will be shocked at the price!

It's a good junkyard scrounge.

 

See post 6.

The price is shocking! It's several times north + of a C note = MSRP: $365.60 / But, if bought from an FTE sponsor...

FTE sponsor silverstateford parts.com online price: $221.19. / Gaudin Ford ~ Las Vegas NV

FTE sponsor horizonpartsguy.com price: $241.30 / Horizon Ford ~ Seattle (Tukwila) WA

There is an original E4TZ-17C476-A at HAVEN FORD in Haven KS = 620-465-2252 / Their price may be less.

 

Check your ground?

My '86 was having issues with the wipers sometimes working, sometimes not. Found a ground wire loose (can't remember if it came from the switch wiring or the delay box). Cleaned the contact points, tightened the screw, problem solved.

 

Well y'all answered pretty much everything I was going to ask, awesome. I stopped by Ford after work and the guy was being pretty blunt and unuseful, telling me it's discontinued and that they don't exist on a shelf in America...lol so I looked in my LMC catalog but the only one they show is for a 92-96 and costs 119.95. I'm assuming they won't interchange? With that being said, above are the links to where I can source a new one. Thanks for that btw. I looked at the switch ground and it was good, I need to look at the ground coming off the governor box, as I didn't think to look earlier. So...basically my options are the links above or JY? Either way, I'm just glad I can source the parts. I appreciate the help

 

It is easy to solder the heatsink back onto the circuit board inside.

That is usually the problem.

Takes five minutes.

 

If you only care to have low and high, without delay, you can bypass the governor and install the 2-speed switch.

The switch is pretty inexpensive, even NOS.