Wiper Trouble
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 247
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From: KY
Wiper Trouble
my wipers work sometimes and not others , someone told me it was the switch ,but I am not sure because when I turn the switch sometimes and the wipers don't work I here a clicking from the control box and the volt gauge pulls way down , it even dims the lights , I have a friend who was a mechanic for ford when my truck was sold and he swears it is the switch , I kinda think it is the control box , any of you had the same problem and fixed it ? by the way when the wipers work normal the volt gauge barely moves but when they are not working and I turn the switch it pulls it down bad.
Also this is a 91 ford f250 with intermittent wipers
Also this is a 91 ford f250 with intermittent wipers
Last edited by 91f2504x4; Dec 17, 2003 at 12:30 PM.
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Torrance, CA
I just had the same problem on my 87 F150. The original wiper motor had motor magnets bonded to the inside of a steel case, and the accumulation of water over the years deteriorated the adhesive joints and caused rust. Bottom line- the magnets were just sitting in the motor case and rubbing on the motor shaft, causing very high friction, and a very high current draw- making the system voltage drop as you are seeing on the meter.
You can try cleaning out the case and bonding the magnets back in, which may or may not work- but I think it was easier to replace the wiper motor- it cost about $70.
Dan
You can try cleaning out the case and bonding the magnets back in, which may or may not work- but I think it was easier to replace the wiper motor- it cost about $70.
Dan
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Torrance, CA
I didn't get as far as replacing the switch (I checked it for continuity with a VOM in all positions), but I did replace the intermittent wiper module (also about $70) and found out the hard way that the motor was bad.
Also, when removing the cowl to gain access to the wiper motor, gaskets and seals for the firewall/cowl assembly get disturbed or broken, especially on older trucks. After replacing my wiper motor, the first rain leaked a puddle into the passenger side floor (yea for rubber floors!). I removed the cowl again and applied caulking sealant (like what's used for raingutters) at firewall joints in the base of the cowl area, and the leak was repaired.
The hardest part of replacing the wiper motor is removing and replacing the cowl without scratching up paint on the hood. Some carefully placed duct tape should prevent damage.
Dan
Also, when removing the cowl to gain access to the wiper motor, gaskets and seals for the firewall/cowl assembly get disturbed or broken, especially on older trucks. After replacing my wiper motor, the first rain leaked a puddle into the passenger side floor (yea for rubber floors!). I removed the cowl again and applied caulking sealant (like what's used for raingutters) at firewall joints in the base of the cowl area, and the leak was repaired.
The hardest part of replacing the wiper motor is removing and replacing the cowl without scratching up paint on the hood. Some carefully placed duct tape should prevent damage.
Dan
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: indiana
I have the same problem on my 93 150 and it ain't the control box because i switched that out with a friend that has the same truck and it worked just fine. - I has me stumped also - but the box ( $80 ) was not the problem in my case - happy hunting ( I'm still looking)
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From: KY
wierd thing is today I got in the truck when it was cold as can be and the wipers were froze to the windshield and I turned the switch and they worked great , the motor had enough power to pull them loose from the windshield , it almost pulled the rubber apart on the blade, I am not sure if the motor is the problem or not because when it works it is really strong.
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From: new jersey
through most of my experiance as a professional mechanic(15 years ,ase certified ,nys inspector) THE most common problems with faulty wipersis a bad ground. , remove the motor just enuff to get behind the ground contacts and clean them, if, after that they dont work, then you can start looking in to bad motors and relays,
rule number one, dont get ahead of a problem,look for the simplest first....
rule number one, dont get ahead of a problem,look for the simplest first....
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Torrance, CA
My wipers would work erratically before they died altogether. They would work great when cold, but after a workout they would erratically start/stop at all positions. As far as the grounding is concerned, mine had a separate wire grounding the wiper motor to the engine, and it was fine. The design of the wiper motor is bad, and a new replacement (not rebuilt) has a different design. I would bet that the motor has to be replaced.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 297
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On my 1988 F-250, I have had times when the intermittent mode did not work - the wipers just kept wiping without any delay. But, I chalked it up to lack of use - we have a record-setting drought still on-going in the southwest. I used them for a while in the regular mode, didn't bother with intermittent and sure enough, when switched back to the intermittent mode for grins they started working OK. Since then, I have been sure to make the old wipers run every month or two whether I needed them or not. They've been fine for several years now since that first incident. The only time I replaced a wiper motor was in an early 80's Bronco - got it stuck (bad stick, in a ditch) with the wipers on and a tree branch holding them down. Apparently burned a spot in the wiper motor and from then on it would not necessarily turn the wipers off. That was definitely the motor.
