Windshield Wiper relay problem?
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From: Southeast FLA
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
Hi there.
I'm not sure if I should have posted ths here or in the electircal section, but here it goes:
I have the intermittant wipers, but I'm not sure if they're part of the problem.
I hear some electrical switching or relay sound jumping around when switching the wipers on or off.
The sound itself sounds like it's coming from behind (or under) the dash on the passenger's (?) side.
Go figure.
Can you hand out some leads on this probable future problem?
Thanks.
(and I'm still looking for a dead pedal (driver's brace pedal) for the truck).
Dave
I'm not sure if I should have posted ths here or in the electircal section, but here it goes:
I have the intermittant wipers, but I'm not sure if they're part of the problem.
I hear some electrical switching or relay sound jumping around when switching the wipers on or off.
The sound itself sounds like it's coming from behind (or under) the dash on the passenger's (?) side.
Go figure.
Can you hand out some leads on this probable future problem?
Thanks.
(and I'm still looking for a dead pedal (driver's brace pedal) for the truck).
Dave
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Windshield Wiper relay problem?
yo!
that is the wiper control module (wcm); remove glove box; disc battery..check the connector to wcm...get a WCM at a yard if the connector looks ok...i believe ford charges quite a few bucks for a new wcm .. about $70.00 and up
btw, wcm is to left of RABS box which is larger that the wcm
sometimes the printed ckt bd cracks; see if it can be repaired by soldering the components; there were recalls for the wcm's in dodges, ford crown vics/windstars, etc in 2000 and earlier years..
BTW, here is a suit against the Ford wcm mfgr by a whistle blower for 93's and up:
http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/archive/supct/0006/cx98798.htm
that is the wiper control module (wcm); remove glove box; disc battery..check the connector to wcm...get a WCM at a yard if the connector looks ok...i believe ford charges quite a few bucks for a new wcm .. about $70.00 and up
btw, wcm is to left of RABS box which is larger that the wcm
sometimes the printed ckt bd cracks; see if it can be repaired by soldering the components; there were recalls for the wcm's in dodges, ford crown vics/windstars, etc in 2000 and earlier years..
BTW, here is a suit against the Ford wcm mfgr by a whistle blower for 93's and up:
http://www.lawlibrary.state.mn.us/archive/supct/0006/cx98798.htm
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From: Southeast FLA
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
Dang! THANK-YOU !
That's both more complicated and more expensive of a problem than I thought it would be.
Ugh, there's got to be a way to create my own control module...
But I will get in there and take a good look at it.
Thanks for the lawsuit info, too, AlM. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
That's both more complicated and more expensive of a problem than I thought it would be.
Ugh, there's got to be a way to create my own control module...
But I will get in there and take a good look at it.
Thanks for the lawsuit info, too, AlM. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Kingsport, TN.
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
Had a 1992 doing the same thing. Got some electrical contact cleaner and sprayed around the crack in switch while moving to different intermittent settings. Been good for over 2 years.
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From: Southeast FLA
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
kioolt, good point you make there.
At this moment it actually works nearly perfectly, with only a minor (fraction of a second) delay when I hear the electric jumping around stuff under there.
fjones, I take it you mean some switch on the module, and not the control ***** on the dash?
thanks again guys!
At this moment it actually works nearly perfectly, with only a minor (fraction of a second) delay when I hear the electric jumping around stuff under there.
fjones, I take it you mean some switch on the module, and not the control ***** on the dash?
thanks again guys!
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Windshield Wiper relay problem?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Jan-02 AT 10:17 PM (EST)]My '92 has a similar problem. On the slower wiper delay speeds, the wipers will make one pass as soon as I turn the switch from the off position to the desired speed, but then it wont go again until I tap the switch with my finger (this only happens on the slower delay speeds). I can also hear the WCM behind my glove box, it sounds as if it's going bad. However, at the higher delay speeds, it performs correctly. It also works correctly on the hi/lo (no delay) speeds. Is this my WCM or should I spray my wiper switch with cleaner as fjones suggested? Is there a TSB out that you know of since mine is the second '92 F-150 on here with this problem? Thanks for the info!!
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Buena Vista
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
Wow! I have the exact same problem with my wipers, as described by JW 4X4.
It also makes the noise too, never really thought of fixing it. And never really tried to pinpoint the sound, but it does the exact same thing as JW.
Now fjones, where is this crack? Is it the wiper switch it self.
I’ve got some electrical cleaner; it would be cool if that would work.
Thanks!
It also makes the noise too, never really thought of fixing it. And never really tried to pinpoint the sound, but it does the exact same thing as JW.
Now fjones, where is this crack? Is it the wiper switch it self.
I’ve got some electrical cleaner; it would be cool if that would work.
Thanks!
New User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5
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From: sierra madre usa
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
I just can't believe this!!! I've been hearing the same noise
also, although the wipers still work and I'm holding my
breath that's not the next thing to hit the fan.
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Windshield Wiper relay problem?
Well , Here's another trucker with the same problem. When I bought my 93 (used) the itermittent part didn't work at all and neither did the washers. I found that if I pushed in on the switch while rotating it the washers and wipers would work for a while then quit again. I did the contact spray thing and it helped in a big way but it is time to do it again. I feel the problem is not so much in the relay but the switch itself, the contacts in the switch are corroding or getting crudded up. I also tried to pop the cap off the switch but found that it was there to stay. Hey, it's not snowing and the sun is out!! I'll get at the switch right now!
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From: Southeast FLA
Windshield Wiper relay problem?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-Jan-02 AT 02:24 PM (EST)]Hmm, you could very well be right about it being the switch over the relay box.
My sister just had here switch assembly replaced in her 1992 F-150, but I think a good part of her problem was some short in the wires after rain water seeped past her windshield and got some under-the-dash wires to short. The place that fixed it reported that the short only fried the windshield-wiper switch's contacts (?).
I don't think this is the original write-up I read on it (the first one i read about it being common to change out the switch was for a early 90's Bronco I think), but here's an idea of the change-out process:
http://kevin-long.tripod.com/mfswtch.html
Anyway - my big question of this is a corrosion problem - to anyone who has had it apart before, do you think the use of dielectric grease (after cleaning) (I use it on nearly everything electrical) would create better electrical contact and prevent the problem from happening in the near future?
My sister just had here switch assembly replaced in her 1992 F-150, but I think a good part of her problem was some short in the wires after rain water seeped past her windshield and got some under-the-dash wires to short. The place that fixed it reported that the short only fried the windshield-wiper switch's contacts (?).
I don't think this is the original write-up I read on it (the first one i read about it being common to change out the switch was for a early 90's Bronco I think), but here's an idea of the change-out process:
http://kevin-long.tripod.com/mfswtch.html
Anyway - my big question of this is a corrosion problem - to anyone who has had it apart before, do you think the use of dielectric grease (after cleaning) (I use it on nearly everything electrical) would create better electrical contact and prevent the problem from happening in the near future?