Screwy wipers
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New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 15
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From: USA
Screwy wipers
I've got a question for you fine folks. What would cause the wipers on my 1988 f150 xlt to work fine for a few minutes and then start to skip badly? I can turn them off for a few seconds and then back on and will work for a few more minutes and then start skipping again.Any ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 780
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From: US
Screwy wipers
Do you mean skipping across the glass or missing a wipe in the sequence? If its skipping across the glass my does this too if i am not driving fast enough for the wind to hold it against the glass. It started doing this after the rainX wore off the glass.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 15
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From: USA
Screwy wipers
Thanks for the replies. It is skipping across the glass but it gets slower and slower until it just moves an inch per second in little jerking motions. I have to keep turning the wipers off and on to keep the windshield clear.
Mark
Mark
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
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From: Southeast FLA
Screwy wipers
Besides cleaning the glass, how often do you clean your wipers? Lift 'em up, tka e a soapy solution & a paper towel to them, and clean the wiping surfaces. I know that makes mine work better, but I'm not sure if it helps with 'skip'.
I take it you've already tried new wipers, but you might think about the newest style - Teflon impregnated wipers. I've seen 'em at NAPA, but they're expensive. Still, if I was going nuts like you seem to be, I'd buy them.
Lastly, maybe your wiper motor is getting weak, or your linkage needs greased to ensure a constant and smooth moving pressure (or force) upon the wiper arms themselves.
I take it you've already tried new wipers, but you might think about the newest style - Teflon impregnated wipers. I've seen 'em at NAPA, but they're expensive. Still, if I was going nuts like you seem to be, I'd buy them.
Lastly, maybe your wiper motor is getting weak, or your linkage needs greased to ensure a constant and smooth moving pressure (or force) upon the wiper arms themselves.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 120
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From: Wisconsin
Screwy wipers
>Thanks for the replies. It is skipping across the glass but
>it gets slower and slower until it just moves an inch per
>second in little jerking motions. I have to keep turning the
>wipers off and on to keep the windshield clear.
>
>Mark
I'd guess that perhaps the motor is going bad....Another problem I found, if you have delay wipers, is that the control box for the delays will eventually go bad from vibrations, etc...
I had an 88 F150 that the wipers would only work on high...I found the box under the dash near the steering column, opened it up and there was a broken capacitor in there...a little solder and it was good as new....
Good luck!
Phil
>it gets slower and slower until it just moves an inch per
>second in little jerking motions. I have to keep turning the
>wipers off and on to keep the windshield clear.
>
>Mark
I'd guess that perhaps the motor is going bad....Another problem I found, if you have delay wipers, is that the control box for the delays will eventually go bad from vibrations, etc...
I had an 88 F150 that the wipers would only work on high...I found the box under the dash near the steering column, opened it up and there was a broken capacitor in there...a little solder and it was good as new....
Good luck!
Phil
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 26
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Screwy wipers
Mine skip a little too, but when I have them on high, they "overtravel", and hit the winshield molding. Any idea's? Are there replaceable bushings?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Screwy wipers
I had the same prob on my 88 that i bought from a guy and hea said it was the switch...so i changed the switch still skipped around and went slow and then sometimes stopped...well eventually the motor locked up and i needed a new one...i went to the parts store and i think it was 40 dollars...hope it helps ya
