Need help with windshield wipers
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2012
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Need help with windshield wipers
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
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 217
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From: north battleford
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
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
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.
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.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
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 E4TZ-17C476-A wiper governor just to the right of the wiper switch.
Is that part of the wiper wiring?
Is there a wiper relay or something?
To my knowledge there is not. But today looking under the dash I noticed E4TZ-17C476-A wiper governor just to the right of the wiper switch. Is that part of the wiper wiring?
1984 F150/350 & Bronco from production date 7/1984 ~ 1985/91 F150/350 & Bronco.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Bill
I'm using an e9tz17c476a (SW2259) without problem.
Has the number been superseded?
I'm using an e9tz17c476a (SW2259) without problem.
Has the number been superseded?
Last edited by ArdWrknTrk; Dec 15, 2014 at 07:14 AM. Reason: No edit because Bill checked my part number as a replacement, and added availability, instead of saying the E4 # was NLA
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Senior User
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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
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
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.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
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.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 78
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
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.
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.
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Senior User
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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