Windsheild Wipers Not Working?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 77
Likes: 13
From: PNW
Windsheild Wipers Not Working?
Hey guys, the windsheild wipers on my 89 don't work. I have the intermittent wipers. When turned on any setting it the switch makes a clicking noise, and then a buzzing sound. There also might be some sort of noise coming from a little further under the dash on the driver's side, but it's not the motor itself. I unplugged the wiring connector on the side of the wiper motor, and it still made the clicking noises. I unplugged the bottom connector after that, and then when turned on it's silent. That leads me to think it's the wiper motor that has failed, not the switch, but just thought I'd check with those smarter than me before plunking down $50 on an unnecessary motor...
oh, and before I unplugged the motor, when turned on all my guages would bounce around with each clicking.
Thanks in advance!
Courage
oh, and before I unplugged the motor, when turned on all my guages would bounce around with each clicking.
Thanks in advance!
Courage
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,879
Likes: 2,446
Are you testing electrical parts with your eyes? You need a DVOM or at least a test light to confirm if there is power at the motor.
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 77
Likes: 13
From: PNW
I used a test light today. One of two plugs had one always positive wire, and one always negative wire. The center prong though didn't show anything, even with the wipers turned on. The other plug only showed any negative or positive (continuity?) with the wipers turned on, and again it was one continuous positive, and one continuous negative. The middle prongs on both plugs showed no signal at all.
Testing electrical systems is not my strong suite, so hopefully that information gives y'all enough information for you guys to be able to tell me what needs replaced.
Is there a way to test the wiper control module?
Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide me!
Testing electrical systems is not my strong suite, so hopefully that information gives y'all enough information for you guys to be able to tell me what needs replaced.
Is there a way to test the wiper control module?
Thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide me!
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,879
Likes: 2,446
Yes.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,543
Likes: 2,668
From: Near Salt Lake City
+1 it needs a new interval governor
We all had them kicking around for testing back in the day at the dealer
I still have mine (a good used part)
Most likely
If I plugged it in to your truck, the wipers would stop making that noise and work like they should
That governor is long obsolete from Ford
I'd hit a junkyard and hope (they only used that governor for a few years, but cars had them too)
You should be able to just unplug the governor and have regular non intermittent wipers that work
That same harness that plugs into the governor will just plug into your switch
Along with trucks you could look for a crown vic or t bird, just about all of those had intermittent wipers and the governor
We all had them kicking around for testing back in the day at the dealer
I still have mine (a good used part)
Most likely
If I plugged it in to your truck, the wipers would stop making that noise and work like they should
That governor is long obsolete from Ford
I'd hit a junkyard and hope (they only used that governor for a few years, but cars had them too)
You should be able to just unplug the governor and have regular non intermittent wipers that work
That same harness that plugs into the governor will just plug into your switch
Along with trucks you could look for a crown vic or t bird, just about all of those had intermittent wipers and the governor
Last edited by manicmechanic007; Dec 13, 2025 at 07:09 AM.
Trending Topics
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 227
Likes: 75
My wiper motor worked sometimes. I replaced the motor and now it works all times. Wipers are a necessity.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,879
Likes: 2,446
I didn’t and I never replaced one in the three years that I worked at the Ford dealer.
Years ago, I got a bad reman from Napa. It was noisy, slow and then after several months would occasionally stop working or “hang up” while moving across the windshield. A new motor solved the problem.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Could be.
I didn’t and I never replaced one in the three years that I worked at the Ford dealer.
Years ago, I got a bad reman from Napa. It was noisy, slow and then after several months would occasionally stop working or “hang up” while moving across the windshield. A new motor solved the problem.
I didn’t and I never replaced one in the three years that I worked at the Ford dealer.
Years ago, I got a bad reman from Napa. It was noisy, slow and then after several months would occasionally stop working or “hang up” while moving across the windshield. A new motor solved the problem.
also, don’t overloook the switch on the column they seem to get sloppy and the contacts could have issues maybe if you have tilt especially
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,879
Likes: 2,446
I changed a lot of multifunction switches under warranty. I have an ‘89 so the wiper switch is on the dash.
I wonder what happened to the OP?
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 77
Likes: 13
From: PNW
Hey guys, thanks for all of your help! I really appreciate it! Been a busy weekend, and really trying to get the u joints finished up in my other truck, so my wheeler's gotten bumped back on the priority...
thanks for posting up the schematic, but I'm not good with electrical at all, so tbh I can't make heads or tails of it unfortunately. I'll try to get back out and retest which conecter had powere all the time and which one didn't tomorrow.
Where is the intermittent box that you are saying I might be able to unplug and have just regular wipers working again?
thanks for posting up the schematic, but I'm not good with electrical at all, so tbh I can't make heads or tails of it unfortunately. I'll try to get back out and retest which conecter had powere all the time and which one didn't tomorrow.
Where is the intermittent box that you are saying I might be able to unplug and have just regular wipers working again?
Trailering
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
We recently swapped the motor on our 94' F350. The worst part was taking the cowl off. Otherwise, it was very straightforward. We also replaced the sprayer pump, nozzles, reservoir and hoses.
Sometimes the only option is to use the newer motor. I think that also requires you to change from two connectors to one at the motor.
I changed a lot of multifunction switches under warranty. I have an ‘89 so the wiper switch is on the dash.
I wonder what happened to the OP?
I changed a lot of multifunction switches under warranty. I have an ‘89 so the wiper switch is on the dash.
I wonder what happened to the OP?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 805
Hey guys, thanks for all of your help! I really appreciate it! Been a busy weekend, and really trying to get the u joints finished up in my other truck, so my wheeler's gotten bumped back on the priority...
thanks for posting up the schematic, but I'm not good with electrical at all, so tbh I can't make heads or tails of it unfortunately. I'll try to get back out and retest which conecter had powere all the time and which one didn't tomorrow.
Where is the intermittent box that you are saying I might be able to unplug and have just regular wipers working again?
thanks for posting up the schematic, but I'm not good with electrical at all, so tbh I can't make heads or tails of it unfortunately. I'll try to get back out and retest which conecter had powere all the time and which one didn't tomorrow.
Where is the intermittent box that you are saying I might be able to unplug and have just regular wipers working again?
