[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Jan-02 AT 04:32 PM (EST)]PKRWUD from the F-150 Online forum (pre-97 trucks) has a subscription to ALLData, try contacting him. If not, its only 24.95 for a 12 month subscription Hehehe His email is pkrwuds@pacbell.net. Let me know what you find!! I had trouble in the rain last night... Just so you know my email is joe1080@cgate.net

 

Be very careful with chemicals like brake cleaner and other solvents around plastic parts. They will tend to crack due to chemical attack. If you search this site under the subject "wiper" back to about July 2000 you will find a series of discussions regarding the method to disassemble and clean the switch in early 90s trucks. This is how I fixed mine and it has worked great ever since. The procedure is spelled out clearly in one of the messages.

Good Luck

 

jethro,

I just did a "wiper" search through the 87-96 forum and didn't find a thing on disassembling the column switch. I did, however, find a post or two on the dissasembly of one of the control boxes that controls the wipers.

Since you've done it, and you seem to have participated (or just plain read) in the posting of the problem, how about doing a search from what you can remember and posting the link, or just walk us through the process?

 

*Bump* Madman did you ever find anything out? Please let me know, the problem still persists in my F-150 Thanks again!

 

I just found out today.
Ok the TSB only says how to muffle the noise coming from the module behind the dash.
It says to wrap electrical tape around the holes on the module to muffle noise; it does not say anything about the wiper switch relay.
I got this from my buddy he to told me about it over the phone.
He has it all printed out, and he'll bring it over on Thursday, and then I’ll explain it in more detail then.

 

Thanks for the help! Though it doesn't really fix my problem, why can't Ford's be normal and have normal relays for the wipers?

 

I just did a search myself and cannot find any history of that thread. Its a shame that one is lost because I see questions on that issue all the time.

Its been almost two years since I did my repair so I may miss something. Please bear with me.
Make sure you have someone hold a tray or something like that under the wiper stem because some small parts may fall out!

Use a very small flat screwdriver to pry the small button off the end. If you are careful it will come off without damage. Underneath I think there is a small screw, which you must remove. The switch will come apart now and there are some very small springs and elecrical contacts. Wipe the grease off the parts and wipe the grease out from down inside the stem. I used a q-tip. Do not use solvents. The little bit of grease film left over is sufficient to protect the contacts. Re-assemble everything and it should work OK. I did this in July 2000 and everything has worked perfectly since.

Good Luck.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Jan-02 AT 09:08 PM (EST)]here it is:
"Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 17:21:12 -0600
From: "Webdoc"
Subject: FTE 80-96 - Interval wiper switch

For those of you wondering how to disassemble the interval switch located on the turn signal, I got off my a** today and checked it out. First take a very thin bladed knife and pop the end cap off. It looks like a single piece unit, but it's not. Next, slowly undo the screw you'll find underneath. Again, SLOWLY, pull off the switch (it's under spring pressure, and so are the detent stops... they are small and easy to lose). Get some q-tips and solvent and clean out all the old contact grease (mine was filthy!). After the solvent dries, relube and reassemble. It works like new.
Doc
Email webdocarkansas.net
"Never knock on Death's door... ring the bell and run. He HATES that!"
........................
and,
........................
"Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 23:11:32 EST
From: FLR150aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE 80-96 - Re: Interval Wiper Switch and Radio Removal

In a message dated 11/27/99 1:38:44 AM Eastern Standard Time,
webdocarkansas.net writes:
in on your secret! >>
OK,OK, you forced it outta me. To remove the cover on the wiper switch, look on the backside of the housing. Close to the top of the wiper switch, you should see a little slot. Insert a small screwdriver in there and pry gently toward the column. This should pop the top off of the housing. Inside you will need to be VERY careful of the contacts. But you should be able to use an electrical contact cleaner sprayed on a Qtip or on a toothpick. Carefully wipe all the old grease(or as much as you can) off of the brass. Then apply a coat of the same kind of grease they give you for ignition components. A small amount in between the contacts will do. Then, if done correctly, the intermittent wipers should function properly. Of course the standard disclaimers apply. =)
Later
Wayne Foy
'94 Flareside SC"
.....................................

 

sorry jethro, didn't see your post for some reason
be well,

 

Thanks for the help, everyone! I'll try that tomorrow Thanks again

 

Thank you, heartily, jethro and AlM !

 

>PKRWUD from the F-150 Online forum (pre-97 trucks) has a
>subscription to ALLData, try contacting him. If not, its
>only 24.95 for a 12 month subscription Hehehe His
>email is pkrwuds@pacbell.net. Let me know what you find!! I
>had trouble in the rain last night... Just so you know my
>email is joe1080@cgate.net


Looks like someone else already did it. My '95 has this same problem, so I downloaded the testing procedure from ALLDATA, and it determined the problem to be the multifunction switch. It only rains here a few times a year. I can't justify that kind of money for the convenience of interval wipers I'll only use a handfull of times. Reading this thread has me thinking it may be worth just cleaning the contacts of the wiper switch itself. As far as the relay is concerned, they aren't to blame, so save yourselves the money.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Thanks for the help, Chris! I'm a little confused about how you guys are "removing the top cap" of the switch? It look as if it's all one piece. Any help?

 

I haven't even looked at it yet, but I would imagine it's held in place similarly to an old radio ****, and just requires gentle, even prying from under it's bottom edge.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Well, I cleaned my stuff up as best as I could today.

Taking the end-cap off of the steering-column's wiper switch was easy - just treat it like one of those caps at the center of a wheel that have the bearings behind them. Take a set of channel locks over the cupped end of the switch and do an angular pull to get it off.

Yep, that previous poster was right when he said to be careful once you unscrew the phillips screw and take the turn-part off.

I cleaned it all out, and used a bit of new dielectric grease on some contacts.

I also pulled the black box under the passenger's side dash. In taking it apart I couldn't see any leads that seemed like they were broken, nor anything theat looked like electrical solder could fix. I cleaned it off nonetheless, and put dielectric grease on the wiring-harness's plug contacts, then reassembled it.

It still sounds the same, though. I get the clicks on intermittant settings, and no relay clicks in the regular or fast wiper positions.

All that work to just get aquainted with my truck.

Oh well, at least it all works. At this point I'm seriously thinking about throwing that JC WHitney wiper relay in there.