Wipers Quit Again - Diesel Forum

a68vet · 08-18-2008, 12:13 AM

My early (and old) 99 had to have the multifunction switch (t/s stick) replaced in 2000 under warranty due to no wipers. Lasted me till a couple months ago and then all of a sudden they went out again. I spent hours searching forums with little concensus on what was the cause. I replaced the fuses, 1 new relay tried in all 3 positions, then bought another MFS (ouch). This fixed it and all was well for a few months till last Friday (heavy rains) they would not come on. Back to the net for hours of searching......with almost same results. One person mentioned that after releasing the EBrake the wipers started working. Pretty good thump! Well, I tried that tonight and the wipers come on every time now!

Reading further, there was no more data on if it lasted for him or led to the fix.

So I guess I could have a bad connection on the GEM, or in the Central Wiring Junction, or I have a tail-light out

. I will come back and post if I have more issues or find something that corrects the problem. One of the biggest problems it seems is folks don't come back and report the results so you know if it's worth trying.

Thanks for the great source of ideas!

a68vet · 08-18-2008, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a68vet

So I guess I could have a bad connection on the GEM, or in the Central Wiring Junction, or I have a tail-light out

.

It's one bad gremlin.....came back this morning after sitting overnight. Mashed the ebrake, BAM!, wipers on. Drove to work and they ran all the way. Back to DOA when I got in it this afternoon.....not raining but I gave it SLAP anyway, and away she went. Cut off and head home, checked it 5 miles down the road and NOTA.....

Tried a slap when I got home and it is gone gone gone, no-motion.

Won't be able to look into it till weekend probably. Is it worth removing GEM and cleaning the contacts? Almost has to be in there, the truck has led almost a dirt free life, and few rough roads. Never had and visible signs of water inside the cab.

Any idea what it could be caused by?

bockhold · 08-19-2008, 12:08 AM

Could be a loose contact somewhere or a bad wiper motor.

a68vet · 08-19-2008, 03:54 PM

Thanks.....I am probably going to look at connectors at the GEM, remove and reconnect, then check out voltage at the motor next. I expect I will see voltage there, then swap it out if I do.

My "slap" procedure has successfully terminated the wiper completely now. It has rained 5 days now and more on the way here......

a68vet · 08-20-2008, 12:40 AM

Tonight the wipers were still dead...... I just checked firewall bulkhead connector which felt really loose. Then, moved it around a bit but didn't take it off or tighten. Wipers are working good so I'm back in it tomorrow. I believe the connector has worked itself loose and I need to remove, clean, tighten.

Would anyone know of or suggest a special electrical connection spray or treatment to make a longer lasting contact without corosion?

I have high hopes that this will be a zero dollar fix and totally restore my confidence in this great truck.

Thanks!

bockhold · 08-25-2008, 01:05 AM

Ive seen some connector spray at Wal Mart in a can that will help the contact stay clean. Auto department. I think it was a red can like brake cleaner.

02Boathauler · 08-25-2008, 01:25 PM

What connector are you refering to? I have having the same issue right now. I just turn mine on and usually start with in a few miles. Have to try the e-brake thing.

Thanks

klhansen · 08-25-2008, 01:46 PM

The wiper circuits go thru the top two of 3 connectors thru the firewall that are stacked underneath the master cylinder. They connect the GEM relays (which I believe are solid state, so wouldn't have contacts to clean, althoug I've never looked inside a GEM) to the wiper motor and power source. There's also the connection near the top of the firewall to the motor itself.

I'd be surprised if those connectors had corroded contacts as they are gasketed, but weirder things have happened. I've seen someone recommend DeoxIt D5 for cleaning corroded connections, but I've never actually tried it (or found any locally). If I used something like that, I'd also put some silicone grease on the gasket for the connector to help seal the weather out.

Each of those two connectors has a 10mm hex bolt thru the middle securing them together, so the first thing I'd try is tightening the bolts.

On Edit: Boathauler02, yours is probably different, as Ford changed the electrical system for 02 trucks. Don't have access to the info for 02 and up right now.