Electrical problems in my new truck

[5.0inprovo]

I bought a 98 XLT with 83,000 mi on it a couple weeks ago for my wife, the power mirrors do not work and the pump for the front washers does not respond, although the rear one does. I checked the fused and they were both intact. Is there a relay I am missing? Do the switches go bad this quick?

Thanks in advance for the help.
Dan

 

[Robb]

The front wiper washer motor is run off of the infamous Ford multiswitch. Yes, this combo switch is a very common failure in Ford vehicles, including Explorers. It is just a flat poor design.

In my '96, the multiswitch works fine for all components execpt the washer motor. I often have to "jab" the end of the switch multiple times before the washer will work. Then it will work randomly.

Don't know about your mirrors.

 

[5.0inprovo]

Anybody else have problems with the power mirrors?

 

[Electrohacker]

have you tried getting a voltage reading from teh plugs?

teh fact is teh motors mayhave gone bad...

brushed motors are cheap and will only work for so long before the brushes wear out... you can get them rebrushed but most of the time it's cheaper to just replace the unit...

 

[Mbrooks420]

It's definately the multiswitch for the washer problem. Or a wiring problem. There is no rear washer pump, the rear switch just runs the front pump through some long lines to the back. You can get some power heated mirrors off of e bay for 50 a piece.

 

[Skibug]

I had and have the same problems as you. My washer motor works intermintedly. That is the multisiwtch like everyone else says. I have to jab mine a few times to get it to work. Replace the switch and you will be good to go. As far as the mirror goes, mine did not work when I bought the truck also. I could not figuar out what was going on. I finally just poped the switch out of the door pannel and what did I notice, the damn switch was not even pluged in. I noticed the the small clip that holds the plug into the harness was broke and would come unplugged easily. Some idiot before me probably broke it off.

 

[5.0inprovo]

Thank you very much skibug. I will try that tomorrow.

Where is the best place to get a new multi switch? Best price, fast service yada yada...

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'm pretty sure it is a dealer item. You can do it your self if you have a torx set.