Okay everyone, I recently purchased a 97 Ford Ranger to use as a daily driver back and forth to work. Approximately 90 miles round trip. Okay so this morning driving in the cabin light would not go off and the wipers would come on unexpectantly. I am not sure about this but I was running low on fuel and when I filled up the light issue kind of stopped but the wiper issue continued. Anyone have any idea where to look for these symptons and the corrections.

Ted

 

Try the wiper run relay or the wiper HI/LO relay in the power distribution box in the engine compartment. They can cause all kinds of wierdness when they fail. As far as the Cabin light - maybe a door switch adjustment or a door that wasn't quite latched.

 

Thank you very much for the response, I will check into those.

Ted

 

i have a 2000 ranger and had the ghost wiper problem also.after about 5 yrs it was happening on a pretty regular basis diving me nuts. after doing research on this forum i determined it was the multifunction switch that controls the wipers, signals, high beams, washers and hazard flasher. i went to the dealer because there was a recall on this switch but did not apply to my truck because it was built in a different plant than the recalled trucks.

i asked how much for them to change it, well the stealer said it's a big job, half the dash has to come out, $100 for the switch and $100 labor. told him i'll think it over and found the switch on the internet for around $45 delivered.

i took my time and it only took about 20 min. only the plastic covers above and below the steering wheel had to come off. i could do this change out in 5 min now. i don't know if this is your problem but changing my switch out solved mine.

oh i'm having the door ajar problem now too. it looks like the switch on the door latch. i tried spraying the latch with electrical contact cleaner but it didn't help. i'll probably end up taking the door panels off and clean from the inside.

 

Thank you Ranger, I appreciate all the responses I get. I will probably start with the relays and then work toward the switch.