electrical problem

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Mar 8, 2024 | 04:17 AM

elkhart75839

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Cross-Country

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electrical problem

My 1982 F150 has an electrical problem. The battery will go down when the wiper switch is plugged in. I rebuilt the wiper arms with the switch unplugged and the battery stayed up. I plugged the switch in and the next day the battery was dead. Now I have it unplugged and the battery stay charged. Can I change the wiper switch to a delay type switch? Not sure if that will fix it. any help is appreciated, thank you ALL for helping me many times.

Mar 8, 2024 | 05:25 AM

FuzzFace2

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Joined: Nov 2015

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From: Angier, NC

Well it sounds like you have tracked it to the wipers so that is half the battle right there.

Yes you can swap to delay wipers and it is easy but besides the switch you need the box that goes with it.
It is all unplug yours and plug in the delay switch and box. There is also a ground wire thatneeds to be screwed to a ground.

I did this on my 81 F100 and love it. Thing is some of the boxes (used) get loose connections inside from the Ebrake pedal popping up and banging on the dash.
When this happens the wipers only work on high. Mine acts like this the last few times I used the wipers. I have a new to me used box & switch but too lazy to swap them out.
I also found the wipers dont work if the Ebrake is on so I may gave a ground issue?

I got both switches & boxes used off Ebay. Again you need both the delay switch and box for this to work.
Dave ----

Mar 8, 2024 | 05:59 AM

Olds64

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Joined: Jun 2017

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From: Edmond, OK

Use this search engine to find a parts truck near you.

http://www.car-part.com/

Mar 8, 2024 | 06:40 AM

Franklin2

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From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhart75839

The switch does not power the wipers. The switch just carries it through the park zone. You might want to unplug the wiper motor itself and see if the problem goes away. It has a hot all the time wire up there. That is why you can turn the switch to off, but the wipers keep going till they park at the bottom.

Mar 8, 2024 | 07:07 AM

BigBlue2

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Bronco Graveyard has new delay modules designed by Dennis Carpenter group. Strangely not available on the Dennis Carpenter website. I'm using the new module and it works great.

Mar 8, 2024 | 08:09 AM

kr98664

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Joined: Nov 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklin2

I'm not sure this is 100% correct. The circuit does have a feature to bypass the control switch to park the wipers, but the key still has to be in the RUN or ACCY position. Most newer vehicles are as you described, and the wipers will automatically park when you switch off the key, but not our old trucks. If you turn off the key with the wipers mid-travel, that's where they will stop.

More details here, page 60:

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/1981-evtm.html

From the initial description, it seems like the ignition switch is not shutting off completely. The ignition switch is actually 4 separate switches (poles) in a common housing. Note how the fuel gauge is on the same circuit. When you turn off the key, look to see if your fuel gauge is still working. The needle should swing all the way to the left when the key is switched off. If not, the switch has either failed or is out of adjustment. If this is the case, upgrading to intermittent wipers will not fix the battery drain problem.