Wipers and ride
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Wipers and ride
Am a new user so hope these are not repeatative questions but I just purchased a 95 F150 4x4 XLT w/351 and tow package that has mostly highway miles and is in very good condition. However, the ride seems to be extreamly hard. On rough highways it shakes me to pieces. Is this normal for the 4x4 or has the previous owner put shocks on that are way to stiff for a decent ride? Also, the intermitent wipers only work on one or two positions. Is replacement of this switch difficult and what about messing with the steering wheel relative to the air bag deployment? Will disconnecting the battery disable the whole air bag system so it is safe to work on? Thanks for any help you can provide - Harv
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Wipers and ride
The airbag is safe regardless of disconnecting the battery - NO energy is stored anywhere in the system, and it can ONLY detonate if 2 of the 3 sensors are triggered simultaneously.
Your wiper problem is most likely the Wiper Control Module (WCM) inside the dash behind the glovebox.
Do your springs or shocks look like aftermarket parts? The OE parts are all black, and the shocks have hard plastic tubular shields hiding their upper sections. They also have "MotorCraft" stamped into them.
You can find a lot of info here, but a $12 Haynes manual is much better and has wiring diagrams that will help you diagnose your wipers.
Your wiper problem is most likely the Wiper Control Module (WCM) inside the dash behind the glovebox.
Do your springs or shocks look like aftermarket parts? The OE parts are all black, and the shocks have hard plastic tubular shields hiding their upper sections. They also have "MotorCraft" stamped into them.
You can find a lot of info here, but a $12 Haynes manual is much better and has wiring diagrams that will help you diagnose your wipers.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Wipers and ride
Hi Parkerco and welcome to FTE 
In my experience most of the time if the intermittant wipers only work on some settings it is usually the switch. The wiper governer or WCM usually wont cause a problem on only some settings. To change the switch you dont have to remove the steering wheel. You remove the upper and lower sterring column covers and then there are 2 screws and 2 connectors on the switch. On here there have been quite a few posts about pulling the switch apart and cleaning it. Steve83 do you have any info on doing that?
In my experience most of the time if the intermittant wipers only work on some settings it is usually the switch. The wiper governer or WCM usually wont cause a problem on only some settings. To change the switch you dont have to remove the steering wheel. You remove the upper and lower sterring column covers and then there are 2 screws and 2 connectors on the switch. On here there have been quite a few posts about pulling the switch apart and cleaning it. Steve83 do you have any info on doing that?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Wipers and ride
I was probably the one who posted about disassembling it, but the replacement switches are too inexpensive to justify the work it takes. It's fun to do once you have a new one in & working... 
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
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Wipers and ride
Thanks for the responses and will check out the repair website and probably replace the wiper switch. As to the shock problem the shocks are definitely aftermarket and not original. So is the general opinion that the shocks are to stiff or do the 4x4's just naturally ride that harsh. I have owned 2x4's up to this point in time and they have had a much better highway ride. What shock would you guys recommend?
Thanks again - Harv
Thanks again - Harv
