1996 wipers only work on high speed??

[porshapower]

My wipers are only working on high speed and when I turn them off from the high speed they will stop anywhere on the windshield and wont "park" correctly where they should? I just finished changing the "wiper/turn switch" with no luck... Any ideas? Saw somewhere there is a timer box? Thanks!Nel

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Yep, its right under the hood on the firewall I believe. Try contacting Ford Parts Network to see the cost of the part. I don't think its one that you can get at a parts store in an aftermarket brand, probably Ford-only.

 

[Bills98Explorer]

Check you wiper relays out under the hood,there is a relay that will fix that problem...wait my Ex is right outside.........
Relay1 is the wiper park relay,relay 3 is the wiper hi low relay.
Thats the relay that gave me the same symptoms your having.
If you have your owners manual this is easy to identify.
If not as your on the drivers side lookin at the power distribution box,fuse box under hood,they are the first 2 relays,black square,in order left to right,thats relays 1 and 3

 

[budwich]

As suggested check the two relays. Ensure that they are operating and voltages are passing thru the appropriate contacts. If they aren't operating, then check to see if ground and voltage has been applied to them. If it has then the relay is probably bad. If the "conditioning" hasn't been set (ie. voltage ground), then check wiring for good connections. Ultimately, the GEM ensure the operating "conditions". Those "conditions" are set when the GEM detects the position of your ... you guessed it, multifunction switch which it also a likely candidate. Hope it helps.

 

[Bills98Explorer]

I just finished changing the "wiper/turn switch" with no luck...

Hes already changed out the MFS

 

[porshapower]

Thanks for the reply!! I have looked and cant find it?

 

[porshapower]

Cant find it on firewall?

Yep, its right under the hood on the firewall I believe. Try contacting Ford Parts Network to see the cost of the part. I don't think its one that you can get at a parts store in an aftermarket brand, probably Ford-only.

"Thanks for the help!!"

 

[porshapower]

Cant find box on firewall?

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

Maybe its not there, I know that a lot of vehicles have the wiper-delay control box on the firewall, but I've never look for it on my Explorer. I'm not much help here...

 

[budwich]

from my drawings (difficult to understand), the GEM/CTM (central timing module) is in the middle behind the instrument panel.... the area for the 4X4 switch and stuff... a little lower.

 

[Bills98Explorer]

Cant find box on firewall?

Did you try the relays????
The GEM controls the delay cycling,and I doubt thats the problem.Its an awful expensive part to replace compared to a 5 or 6 dollar relay.
I've had this exact same problem 3 times and found it to be the relay all 3 times.Just because a relay clicks does not mean it is workin correctly.

 

[porshapower]

Thanks! I will try relays first and then look for this gem/ctm

from my drawings (difficult to understand), the GEM/CTM (central timing module) is in the middle behind the instrument panel.... the area for the 4X4 switch and stuff... a little lower.

Thanks again...I will check the relays then look for this timer...

 

[porshapower]

Did you try the relays????
The GEM controls the delay cycling,and I doubt thats the problem.Its an awful expensive part to replace compared to a 5 or 6 dollar relay.
I've had this exact same problem 3 times and found it to be the relay all 3 times.Just because a relay clicks does not mean it is workin correctly.

Thank You! I am going to buy some of these relays...will autoparts store carry them?? Is it the smaller black relays THanks!

 

[porshapower]

Maybe its not there, I know that a lot of vehicles have the wiper-delay control box on the firewall, but I've never look for it on my Explorer. I'm not much help here...

No luck with box on firewall....?

 

[budwich]

There is no "wiper-delay" control box on the fire wall of 96 explorers (to my knowledge and references). As indicated, delay functions are control by the CTM /GEM module in the dash area. But also as indicated, it is more likely that your problem is a bad connection or bad relay than the GEM module.

 

[Bills98Explorer]

Thank You! I am going to buy some of these relays...will autoparts store carry them?? Is it the smaller black relays THanks!

Yes they should.Its the square relay not the rectangular 1.

 

[porshapower]

Yes they should.Its the square relay not the rectangular 1.

Relay Fixed the Problem. There are 3 in there(smaller ones) with same part number started shuffling them all around and wipers started doing different things. Determined 2 that werent working correctly. Opened them and cleaned them in electric parts cleaner and wiper work great now! Thanks to Everyone for the support!! Does anyone know what the third relay controls? I know 2 of them control the wiper (there are 2 on top row and 1 on bottom row left) Bottom row left and top row right control wiper what does the top row left control?? Thanks again!

 

[budwich]

In 96 drawings the other relay in the power distribution box is the horn relay.

 

[porshapower]

In 96 drawings the other relay in the power distribution box is the horn relay.

Thanks again! And now for my next problem

 

[Bills98Explorer]

Glad thats all it was.For some reason mine like to go bad while doin 75 in a rainstorm in traffic.Thank goodness for rain-x