wipers sometimes do not come on, then a few minutes later they just start and might not act up again for a week. Any common issues to look for?

 

Wipers do have some connection the GEM and on the earlier vehicles, the GEM is mounted on top of the fuse panel. Check the top of the fuse panel for water, some times the windshield can leak water and short the GEM out.

 

My 1997 F250 does this as well. I have determined that the turn signal / wiper switch on the steering column is the source of the problem. Sometimes the switch doesn't make contact and the wipers simply stop working. When this occurs, I can simply tap the switch and it will make the connection and the wipers will work again. It never does this in the non-intermittent wiper options. I believe that a new turn signal / wiper switch is around $90.00.

The next time yours acts up, try lightly tapping the turn signal / wiper switch on the steering column.

 

tried that to no avail. They came on today when i adjusted the dash lights, but who knows, about that.

My windshield has been replaced, and my truck comes from az and is mostly garaged here in ky, but i will take a look.

Sometimes they will stop mid stroke other not start at all. in any position.

 

Narrowin it down, if i tilt the wheel hard up, they come back on. sometimes if i hit the dash hard they will too, but just for a second. Seems like if i tilt the wheel hard and hold it, they will start and stay on even if i tilt wheel back down.

 

Sounds like a bad connection or short in the wires in the column. Time to pull the plastic around the column and look it over.

 

I'd still bet on the switch. There are aftermarket ones available, generally. May be cheaper. Tough problem to diagnose.

 

just for more confusion (seriously, something to check) on my F150 years ago, I was having problems with the intermittant delay, turned out to be the motor, even though there is an intermittant governor on my F150, it is behind the glove box. it was not the trouble, but something like that could be going bad in yours.

hope the idea's help you!