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I'm original owner of 1988 F-250 XLT Lariat with 460 ci engine with auto trans. Great truck, a beast with 200K+ miles, worth it even at 7-8 mpg today. Well maintained, radiators yeah, but never had the heads off. Runs super strong. I have wipers with intermittent, slow, and fast control. I think this was an option when I ordered this truck new. The problem I've had this winter is intermittent and slow speed at times will not function regardless of the weather, only the fast speed. In a driving rain the other day, only the fast speed was working, and then the wiper arms would actually stall mid rotation, or quit altogether. After a short wait, turning the switch off and on would usually get them started again.
Wiper motor was a replacement probably 15-20 years ago and pretty rusty, so I started there and successfully installed the new motor and re-connected the wiper arms. (Not the easiest R&R!) Motor works smoothly, but the problem persists. I'm 75, a retired general building contractor, and my Father was a high school machine shop and auto shop teacher. As a 16 year old kid, he taught me how to do oil changes, replace engines, trans, radiators, brakes, etc. on my 1959 F-100 panel truck I bought in 1966, and kept for 30 years. That was a totally different era for vehicle drive lines, when everything was easy to access, and operation was so much simpler. Now on a fixed income, I'm rather enjoying doing truck repairs that my reliable mechanic did for me during my work years.
My question now is I think the two other parts related to wiper function is a relay module, and the interior switch. I've read that the switch is a likely cause for the wiper functioning erratically, it appears to be a rather straightforward R&R, so that would be my next approach to this repair. I think there is also a wiper relay module, but I haven't been able to ID it under the hood. I would really appreciate hearing from other "bricknose" (I just saw that nickname I think for my 1988) who also own one of these big, strong, heavy duty, 460 V8 gas guzzling trucks that refuse quit. What's amazing to me is that young kids today stop me at the gas station to ask if want to sell what's a very clean, original looking truck. Even contractors I run into at lumber yards lament the fickle nature of their late model Fords, and comment, "that's when they REALLY used to build a Ford truck"!
I just joined this site, and I'm looking forward to hours of reading and learning from all the posts and replies. It's pretty darn cool!!
The module is near the brake release handle in a very awkward spot. If I remember right, it's held in place by a 7 mm head sheet metal screw.
I had to lay in the floor of my truck and look straight up to see it. You might be able to remove the module and open it up and inspect the solder joints.
When I reinstalled mine, I ty wrapped it in place rather than screw it back in place. The vibration from the parking brake release has been blamed for cracking solder joints.
I'm my case, a new motor solved the issue.
Check out posts 11 and 15 at this thread Windshield wiper switch (intermittent type) | Bronco Forum - Full Size Ford Bronco Forum https://share.google/j1PFOgsnljtNOQp77
If you ever need to do the wiper linkage bushings again, put them in a cup of hot water for a few minutes to soften them up before trying to re install them.
