Winshield Washer Stuff

[mike dilbone]

ford calls it a multi function switch.it controls the
wiper,washer,turnsignals,hi-lo beam and hazard
switch. two scews and two plugs.it took about ten min.

 

[taxx]

where does the switch go?

 

[mike dilbone]

steering column,left side.

 

[taxx]

Steering column left side... but you aren't talking about the stalk right?

 

[01EB5.0]

He is talking about the stalk...it is called "officially" the Multifunction switch because of all the stuff that little stalk can do...

 

[mike dilbone]

yeah,the "stalk" is part of it.

 

[taxx]

Well maybe I will tear it apart and see what wires do what to see if I can get it to work before I go buying a new one.

By the way, what does a new one cost?
And you say yours did the same thing, kicked on the wipers for 4 or 5 goes and no fluid?

 

[01EB5.0]

Ford charged me like $200 to replace the switch. my problem was that the wipers would go and no fluid would come out and also when I would put on my high-beams, when I would pull back on the stalk to shut off the high beams, the low beams would not come back on unless I jerked the stalk around a bit. found out that "wires in stalk fused together". From what I read on here since there are so many small wires in there moving around..eventually the insulation on them will wear through and cause them to fuse together like mine did.

 

[JDraper]

Originally posted by 95XLT
Ford charged me like $200 to replace the switch.

Ouch!! FYI, I just replaced the same switch in the '92 Taurus I just picked up(intermittent wipers and washer's didn't work), and it cost me about $35 for the switch from Torrie at Ford Parts Network. Took about an hour to install, most of that getting the trim around the column on and off. It's not hard to install.

 

[01EB5.0]

Originally posted by JDraper

Ouch!! FYI, I just replaced the same switch in the '92 Taurus I just picked up(intermittent wipers and washer's didn't work), and it cost me about $35 for the switch from Torrie at Ford Parts Network. Took about an hour to install, most of that getting the trim around the column on and off. It's not hard to install.

yeah my Dad said he didn;t want me opening up the steering colum so he told me to pay the dealer. I think it was like $185 to be exact, but still......

 

[mike dilbone]

yeah mine did that too,push in to use the washer and
no fluid but wipers would go on,sometimes one wipe,
sometimes two or three.also if intermittent wipers were on the slowest speed and you wiggle the stalk they would wipe constantly.switch cost $38.00 through
the company i work for.took about 15 min. to put it in.
even if you can get yours apart to clean it i don't know
if you will have much luck getting it back together.

 

[taxx]

sounds like $35 isn't too bad, and would be better than trying to take it appart and fix it. Do the wires just have an adapter for quick swap?

 

[Shane91Explorer]

not the stalk......

There's no way it's the stalk, or either switch. Why would BOTH front and back stop at the same time? My sisters 98 is doing the same thing. neither of them work. I am going to see if I can find this relay, and just hardwire it. you would think that if so many people were having this problem, Ford would have a recall. *******s!

 

[01EB5.0]

I think his rear one was working, and the front wasn't?

 

[taxx]

Yeah the rear works, and I replaced the pump so I feel confident it is a good pump. So the only thing left is the switch and the relay. If I can find the relay I will test it, but I remember last time I went to Ford asking where to find a relay. It really sounds like it is the switch though.

 

[Shane91Explorer]

oopppps =)

sorry about that guys =)

sometimes i read to fast, LOL

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by taxxman2k
I will play with it today some more, but what I am lost with is that when I push the button the wiper kicks on for it's 4 or 5 times but no pump? Did yours do that?

Yes, my wipers would make their usual couple of swipes on the dry windshield. My stalk was the cause.

 

[taxx]

Solution...

Ordered and replaced the arm on the steering column, did not imediately fix it. I don't think I needed it, but it sure feels a whole lot nicer than the old one. My old one was very much warn.

Pulled the airbox to take a look at the relays. I pulled followed the proper color wire for the front (black w/white stipe) to the appropriate relay. Pulled it out and hit the contact with 12 volts. Vwola! it worked. So I tool an old relay from my fog lamps (the one right in front of it) and put it in the washer slot. IT WORKS! I am not using the one from the fog lamps anyway so problem solved!

 

[drmoore71]

geez, i hate to open up a dead thread, but i am having the same problem (rear washer) on my '00 xlt. i have opened up the little relay box below the airbox and i see, from the front, one large open space, then two relays, about 1.5" x .75", then one large relay, about 1.5" x 1.5", then two more small ones 1.5" x .75". can y'all tell me which relay(s) need to be replaced? thanks!