Whacky wipers
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Whacky wipers
Ok im not very electrical minded and i don't know if that the issue. But I was driving home from work one day and I went to use my wiper switch and nothing happened. The wipers worked the day before. No whenever I turn the key i can hear a "ticking" sound coming from the switch. I checked again the other day and the wipers moved a little then died. Now is it the switch or an issue with wiring?
1973 Ford F-100
390
1973 Ford F-100
390
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
The farthest diagram back that I can find goes to 1976; I'm not sure if 1973 would be different or not. I have diagrams for sedans, but they use a self-tucking mechanism and the wire colors are different.
You might try posting this in the Electrical forum because I know some guys over there that have diagrams pretty far back. I can't tell you what colors do what. On the head of the wiper motor itself is a switch that sends a park signal to the switch on the dash, to keep the wiper motor running even after you've shut off the switch, so that the wipers park at the bottom of the windshield. I believe two other lines are for powering the two speeds. Like I said, I wouldn't know what color does what without being able to find the right diagram. For what it does, it's a somewhat involved system. I hate to pass the buck like this, but you'll find the info you need in the Electrical forum:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum62/
You might try posting this in the Electrical forum because I know some guys over there that have diagrams pretty far back. I can't tell you what colors do what. On the head of the wiper motor itself is a switch that sends a park signal to the switch on the dash, to keep the wiper motor running even after you've shut off the switch, so that the wipers park at the bottom of the windshield. I believe two other lines are for powering the two speeds. Like I said, I wouldn't know what color does what without being able to find the right diagram. For what it does, it's a somewhat involved system. I hate to pass the buck like this, but you'll find the info you need in the Electrical forum:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum62/
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350 Wiper Switch w/o Intermittant Wipers / 1978/79 Bronco
Fits: 1973/79 F100/350 & 1978/79 Bronco.
Fits: 1970/71 Fairlane/Torino/Mercury Montego / 1971/72 Maverick/Comet.
Still available from Ford.
MSRP: $92.09 / FTEpartsguy.com price: $49.73.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
Wow, I thought pricing on that switch was high, till I looked it up online for the elcheapo parts house replacements, I found they were (for the most part) competitively priced with ftepartsguy. I would buy OE at the same price before I went to use voodooo pray they dont fail parts.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Whacky wipers
Yeah that seems a bit much, don't know what the deals is, they move slightly every so often
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
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
You definatley do not want the switch to fail, especially in the on, or off position. Either could prove embarrassing, or dangerous. The cheapest I found it (autozone) was $33, on ebay, a new one for $35.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Are you sure it's not got intermittant wipers? (The Clicking sound makes me ask the question) Have you tried turning the switch to the left from the off position?
Rapid clicking sounds from the wiper switch area, with it turned on, is a classic intermittant wiper module ground fault problem, and would cause the problems you described.
Rapid clicking sounds from the wiper switch area, with it turned on, is a classic intermittant wiper module ground fault problem, and would cause the problems you described.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,312
Likes: 1
From: Eldorado Ca. USA
The end of the plug will be red, and there will be a relay box between the switch and a normal plug. The easiest way to tell if you have it or not is to turn the switch back to the left, counter clockwise. If it refuses to turn, and will only turn two clicks clockwise, you do not have intermittent wipers. It is super cinchy to upgrade by the way. Unplug and remove your old switch, plug in the new setup, secure the relay, you're done.
