Need help...couple of problems specific to '98 XLT

[SWB_Kid]

Yep, I am new over here. I am trying to help my grandmother with her '98 Explorer XLT. And I did use the search funtion first.

Since buying it new, she has had it in for service 5 times, under warranty for the rear window wiper not functioning.

On the 6th trip, the warranty was up, and they wanted to charge her $145. Now I'm not sure what that was for, other than it had to do with the rear wiper. Any ideas?

Anybody have similar trouble and fix it?

On the previous 5 trips, they only noted that a cleaning was necessary. Something is fishy, and I hate to go screaming to the dealer threatening them with the Lemon Law (I went thru with that before with Dodge). But I think it's pretty shiddy to do this to 76 year old woman.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm going to my Grams house this weekend, and would like to try and fix it for her if possible. I'm good with the wrench and wire diagrams (I built my jeep from Boxes of parts), so any help is greatly appreciated.

She's in NE PA if it matters.

On a side note, I did a search and got some TSB's that interested me. Can any of you email me with the TSB's so I can read over them? Or possibly give me the gist of it. Thanks.

TSB#'s:
02-1-9 Engine Oil
99-8-16 Motor oil Viscosity
98-24-6 New terminal grease
98-13-19 Relays, Multiple Electrical Problems

Thanks in advance.

Oh yea...one more thing...upon fixing it, is a tech manual necessary for this, or can I get to the switches and motor relatively easyily.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Exactly what happens with the wiper? It doesn't turn on?, moves buty it doesn't clean the window? More detail needed.

Sometimes the motors stick, or if it's misaligned it will not sit properly in the little holding thing. Also, if it thinks the liftgate glass is open, it will not work.

 

[SWB_Kid]

It doesn't turn on at all. Same thing every time.

I checked the glass door and basic stuff like that. I called Ford, and they looked up her history for me. The last time taht she took it in and actually had it serviced, they noted that they "freed stuck wiper arm".

I can't hear the motor turn on when I hit the switch.

 

[BradE.]

Start by checking the switch to make sure it works before you pull the wiper motor.

 

[SWB_Kid]

Do I need any special tools to get to the switch or motor?

Where is the wiper relay located on these things?

The haynes and Chiltons manuals for the Explorers...are they worth it, or should I just spring for the Ford Maintenance Manuals. The Haynes and Chiltons manuals for my Jeeps had ALOT of errors and wound being used for kindling.

I really appreciate the help guys. This is great!

 

[TPLYNCH]

There is a CD you can get.... Several people here have it (try ROBERT) and I believe they like it better than the manuals

 

[SWB_Kid]

Well, Ford came thru. I called Ma Ford, and they said that because the problem is well documented and on-going, they will replace the motor free of charge. We'll see.