97 f150 lariat
 

I've been driving my dads truck. I now have a problem with the wipers. The low speeds don't work but the highest two notches do. I still have windshield washers. I'm lost and could use some help on where to look. Any help wouldbe appreciated.
Thanks
Jesse

My guess would be the switch. Sometimes they call that a "multi function switch" because it also controls the turn signals and your 4-ways. It is easy to change, IIRC just pop out the ignition key switch, take off the upper and lower shrouds and it's right there. Pull the negative cable b-4 you start and wait 5 minutes....you are in air bag territory. New ones are in the $45-50 range and salvage yard around $15...(in my area). Good Luck.

:-X22 Spot-on advice! :-X22

Somewhere around here is a procedure to take the switch apart and clean it. Usually fixes the problem with the interval wipers.

Intermittent wipers went squiffy on my '98 XLT. All the intermittent positions usually gave one sweep of the wipers. The low constant speed position gave 1 intermittent speed & the high constant position gave constant wiper action.

The GEM module was suspected. This Black Box is deeply buried behind dash left knee panel, a PITA to R&R.

Was going to try to find replacement at U-Pull junkyard, but just the probing, jiggling & attempt to check if wires going to GEM were snug, in place, restored proper functioning.

Wipers have never hiccuped again.

Thanks. Went to lunch from work today and they worked off and on. Them coming home from work they were fine. Could to be that the switch needs cleaned of dust. This truck sits alot.

Suspect if was as EZ as "the switch needs cleaned of dust" you'd be able to just wiggle the switch & get it to work. Especially if you have intermittent "worked off and on" issue.

My TIP about "jiggling" the wires going to the GEM apparently restored a loose connection.

My wiper problem was intermittent, as in not all the time. Sometimes the delay positions worked fine, for weeks. Then there were no delay speeds. Some times on same trip it "worked off and on".

Since I "jiggled" the GEM wires it never happened again. That's like 2 years ago.

Ok I didn't do a thing and the wipers work now. Thank y'all for your help