Hey everyone,

I hve a question about the infamous wiper problem. I have heard that it is a GEM module that needs to be replaced, but my real interest is if anyone has gotten it replaced and fixed by Ford for no cost? Claiming it is either a safety problem or that the problem has actually been addressed and acknowledged by Ford. My father got his replaced for free only because the truck is under warranty. Post you experiences with the problem, as I am getting it fixed sometime this week. Thanks to everyone ahead of time!

------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Ford Explorer

NoBoundaries, help me with this, what is the exact problem you are experiencing? Is it where the wipers turn on/off for no reason like we've heard from other members?

Barry

I have heard of that problem as well. My problem is I go to turn the wipers on and sometimes they don't come on or I turn them on and they act sporadic (go at different rates of speed or intervoles or do not come on for long periods of time). It's starting to annoy me and I know others have had to deal with this problem.

------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Ford Explorer

My 96 also does this trick and a few others. The wash switch (push in on the wiper stalk) doesn't work hardly at all. Does anyone else's do that?

[This message has been edited by PunkChild (edited 12-19-1999).]

I forgot that problem, my wash button is impossible to get to work. I have to tool around with it and push down as hard as I can in order to get the washer fluid to come out. Thanks for reminding me of that one! I'm actually taking my truck in tomorrow to get it checked out and I almost forgot about that.

------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Ford Explorer

Fill me in on the dealerships solution to this problem and how much it was to fix. If anyone has a quick fix for this e-mail me with the answer. Thanks.
Skaman0182@yahoo.com

Got word on what the damage is.

The wipers need a GEM Module and some sort of multifunction switch, the cost will be $400 parts and labor. Among all the other facets I need to replace and fix including the wipers, my total repair bill is somewhere around $900! Crap! Dealers really know how to bend you over! If anyone could help with an other solution to the wiper probelem, please e-mail me and post it. Can the repair be done by myself? Help!

------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Ford Explorer

Hey Everyone,

I am interested in hearing from everyone who has had a problem with their wipers just to get a concensus to the enormity of the problem. Those of you who have had to pay for it know that it is not a cheap problem to fix. I am trying to find out if there is anything that can be done. I have a feeling Ford knows it's a problem and there are a lot of dealers, and Ford as well, that are making a good investment at our expense. So if you have had a problem with your wipers just post a reply. Thanks for your time.

------------------
Tim Y.
1996 Ford Explorer

My 99 has the wipers that go on by themselves occasionally. Haven't brought it to the dealer yet.... Waiting for next maintenance.

The variable speed on my 99 sometimes goes the speed I set, sometimes picks it's own speed

The variable speed on my 99 sometimes goes the speed I set, sometimes picks it's own speed

My intermittent wipers are extremely twitchy, especially when I tap the switch. Also, I cannot get the washer to work unless I put the hi-beams on and push in with all my mihgt, I'm just waiting for that bastard to break off. I had no idea this was such a pervasive problem.

Ack, got posted twice.

By mihgt, I mean might, meaning lots of strength.
-scott

NOTE: The site is giving a server error page after reply submissions. No fear, your posts are going through, so don't post twice, like I did, just go back, back, reload, to make sure it went through.

[This message has been edited by sbrawner (edited 12-23-1999).]

[This message has been edited by sbrawner (edited 12-23-1999).]

99 xlt

Had the GEM module replaced and new multi-function stalk replace back in November, no problems since. The new stalk feels more stiffer and feels more secure sofar as fit to the column concerns.

Problems I experinced before the fix:
-wipers turned on by themselves, swiping 1,2,3 times

-washer function malfunction, would work part-time

-intermittent wiper speed(s), had a mind of it's own

-NO high speed wipe

-wipers come on usually when hitting a little bump on the road or when making a left/right turn when using turn signal

-rear wiper never affected by this

Anyone had problems with the REAR wiper? Mine worked only when it wanted to...now it doesn't work at all. Any idea on how much to replace the unit? Thanks.

Sounds like this GEM module thing from behind the radio. The wipers don't work at all but I hear this clicking sound coming from behind the radio.

Also I read about someone mentioning that messing with the radio could mess up your 4X4. How is that? Looks like my brother screwed that up too by putting in an amp and a new radio WITHOUT my permission. I've reset the battery before though and the 4x4 still doesn't work. I've been too lazy to have a look at the transfer case. Maybe I need to reset the battery for longer.

I had the multyfunktionswitch replaced for free from ford because the whipers kinda adjusted their speed by themselves.. Haven't had a problem with them after that...nock on wood...

Don't know if it was because of the used car guarranie or some other (recall) reason that it was for free though

Umm My uncle ( who owns a shop in town ) thouhgt my GEM was bad, and he called ford for pricing and got it for lile 200 and something.


It turned out it was not bad, i can find out where it is and stuff if you want to take a stab at it yourself.

What happened with me is i fried some wires in my drivers door, so it was making everything think it was not working right. Do your windows on drivers side work ok?

Check this thread:

http://208.38.138.31/forums/showthread.php?threadid=11311

Maybe it's not only 99 - 2000 models.

My 95' the wipers tend to go at different speeds then what i have selected..What really bothers me is the washer..It hardly ever works and for it to spit out the fluid most of the time i have to switch the signal on either way doesn't matter and this helps out sometimes.

My 96 did the same thing. It's the switch, at least for me it is. I took the switch apart and cleaned the contacts and voila...it's working like new again. But...it's happening again last week. I guess I'll have to do the same thing all over again.

Some months ago there was a thread pertaining to the "Washer" problem. Somebody posted detailed instructions on how to disassemble the stalk and clean the contacts inside This cured his washer problem where replacing the washer pump had not cured the problem. I would think since it's all the same switch, this would work for wipers as well as washers.

That has to be around some place. I just looked at it a few weeks ago, and brought it back to the top.

My 96 wipers seem to go whatever speed they wish...never with any consistency. My washer is also very tough to get to spray - I have to push the knob in many times before anything happens.

Had the washer problem with my 95X. Found a link on this site that fixed my problem which I have pasted below. My problem was the washer rarely worked and the intermittant cycles were unpredicatable. From reading other messages it appears the duration is speed controled which I think is stupid.
I never experienced the wipers going on by themselves.
Other than the washer working perfectly now I don't know if the wiper control has improved since it hasn't rained yet for me to test. Please note with the below repair, the cap (Robert the Author) said to use an exacto knife on it whch was good advice. The cap he refers to is at the very end of the stalk. Use the tip of the exacto knife and go under the knurled portion of the stalk, and on the outer portion of the cap. Getting the cap of without damaging the plastic was the hardest part for me. Diassembling and cleaning was very easy as was assembly. It appears that Ford loads the stalk with grease, and in time hardens, thus forming a insulator for the contacts. So even if you replace the stalk at 175.00 in time the problem will manifest itself again.
I was so happy to get my washer working at will, I disconnected the waher hoses and blew them out.
No more pissing in the wind, got some nice pressure now. Hope this cleaning of the contacts helps you guys.

PASTED REPAIR MESSAGE

“I popped the end of the wiper stalk off with an exacto knife. Did it from behind incase I gouged the plastic. Once the cap is off, there is one phillips screw in the center. Remove it and carefully pull the switch off. There is a spring in there so be careful. Also there is a small spring that goes through the stalk that provides the indentions when selecting the different positions. It has a small metal cap on both ends. The grease will usually hold it in, but if it starts to fall out be sure that you don't loose it. Once you have the end of the switch off, you'll see several copper contacts and copper fingers. Carefully clean them with alcohol. I also gently lifted up on the copper fingers to provide more contact. Put it back together. The Ford charge to replace the entire stalk is $175 and they won't just try and fix the switch. I've had to clean all of my Ford's after a while. I had my Warranty company pay Ford to fix my Explorer's for the $175 charge.”

for the different speeds when i switch my wipers on, they go at their own pleasure. speeding up the wipers slows them down sometimes. no problems with the winshield washer fluid though. i had my gem module replaced when my power windows failed, and this DID NOT help with the different speeds of the intermittant cycles. they're still how they've always been. my windows work now though :)

Blue Steel, it's your switch. Same thing happened to mine almost 6 months ago. I took the switch apart and cleaned the contacts and it worked like a charm afterwards.

My wonderful 1998 XLT has come down with the same illness in the past few days. I just bought the part needed from www.fordpartsonline.com, it is only like $30.00 + shipping. It really isn't all that bad to replace it. I'm providing you the OE part number here so you can order one and save yourself about 50% and the cost of the labor. The part # is YL5Z13K359BAA. Again that part is for a 1998 XLT 4x4, but i assume it is the same part on nearly all late-model fords.

-Mistertoofast