winshield wipers switch not working....

[toddious]

so over the past few months, my windshield wipers switch (on the blinker tree) has been acting funny. for awhile, it wouldn't work in intermittent modes, only high or low. whenever i would shut off the wipers, they stopped right where they were, not returning to their original resting position.

well, they stopped working completely the other day. at first , they wouldn't work at all, and i fiddled around, and left it on high, and after maybe 10 mins down the road they came on. this happened again the next day, didn't work at first, but then came on later. well, now they won't work at all.

i'm assuming it is that parts inside the tree, and that i need to take it apart and replace them. anybody know what the names of these parts would be? can you take the whole tree off and replace it with another one? thanks.

 

[Blee1099]

its probably the multi-function swtich that has gone bad.

 

[alphabets13]

its probably the multi-function swtich that has gone bad.

exactly. easy to replace yourself too. just check out a hayne's manual and you'll be fine. about $40 at the dealer for the part.

 

[toddious]

the "multi-function switch" being the stalk?

i was researching as much as i could, and it seems to be one of 3 things, the stalk, the relays, or the GEM, and i can't really find an exact answer. if it was the relay or GEM i should be able to have ford run a computer test to tell me though right?

if it's the stalk, what all do i need to buy? just the parts inside? or the whole stalk? and how do you remove the entire thing? i have taken the end off, and the screw inside, but it doesn't remove the whole thing. thanks, todd.

 

[96limitedX]

i would say its the multi-function swtich also..but it could be the stalk..

 

[MrDoggieStyle]

I have a 91 explorer, my wipers started acting up too... they would work and then stop.... the snow storm we had on tuesday up here in new york, the wipers stopped working but only work in the high position... then they stopped.. and never came back on.....

I replaced the wiper motor, and then the muti-switch and nothing... i would turn the wiper switch on and i would notice the volt meter drop.... and the fuse C/B would blow and the reset its self... so i think that there is a short somewhere but i can not find it...

is there anyone out here that can help me? :frustrate :fire:

 

[outhouse]

Multifunction switch was problematic on many US Fords between 99 and 00 but this was due to wipers operating while switch is in off position.

It was NOT advised that a repair was made by replacing the GEM or Wiper Control Module.

But all connections should be checked and only then should the multifunction switch be changed.

Full details from this pdf

www.thedieselstop.com/faq/ 9497faq/tsb/tsb/files/000906.pdf

 

[MrDoggieStyle]

I have replaced the wiper motor and the muti-switch on the steering colum....
And still nothing.... I was told it could be the relay's, But where are the relay's located?????

 

[toddious]

the relays i believe are all in the engine compartment. there are 2 of them for my 2nd gen. i don't know if mine are good or bad. i called ford today to see if they could check them, and the guy told me $60 just to do a diagnostic!!! i was like $60 just to tell me if my relay is bad?!?! thats rediculous.

 

[toddious]

oh yeah, is the multi switch the same as the stalk?

or is the multi switch inside the stalk?

thanks!

 

[MrDoggieStyle]

the stalk is the steering colum

 

[toddious]

oh, the stalk is the steering column itself and the multi-switch is the little blinker tree?

i just had my clockspring replaced inside the steering column, not sure if they would have noticed the bad "stalk" then or not.

 

[toddious]

so, should i buy the blinker switch? is that most likely my issue?

appreciate an answer quick, so i can buy the part before i go out of town for the weekend. thanks everyone! todd.

 

[toddious]

ok so heres the scoop.

i was listening today while i was flippin the wiper switch, and i can here a click from the relays when i turn the wipers on and off. i removed the relays, and cleaned the contacts, but it didn't resolve the issue. would the relays click if they were broken? or are they supposed to click?

i think this eliminates the chances of it being the multi-switch, since the relays are obvioiusly recieving the voltage, so do you think it is the wiper motor?

or would it be the relays? thanks, todd.

 

[toddious]

anyone?

 

[MrDoggieStyle]

G.e.m.

OK, I FOUND A USED G.E.M. AT A JUNK YARD AND PUT IT IN AND I HAVE WIPERS AGAIN YAYYYYYYYYYYYY ME.....

BUT THERE IS ONE THING YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE G.E.M. WHEN YOU PULL THE ASHTRAY AND THE RADIO OUT, THE G.E.M IS TO THE LEFT OF THE ASHTRAY AND THE RADIO AND IS A SMALL LITTLE BROWN BOX AND NOT THE BIG BLACK ONE NEXT TO IT!!!!!

I PULLED THE ONE AND HAD TO GO BACK THE NEXT DAY TO GET THE LITTLE BROWN ONE WHAT A PAIN..... :fire:

SEE NOW ONE ON HERE WILL TELL YOU THAT, THAT THERE ARE 2 BOXES AND WHICH ONE TO PULL.....

AND THE SAME DAY I GOT THE WIPERS TO WORK MY TRUCK WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE PARKED BY A HIT & RUN DRIVER!!!!!!!! :fire:

NOW I NEED TO GET A DRIVERS DOOR AND A LEFT PASSANGER DOOR

 

[alphabets13]

OK, I FOUND A USED G.E.M. AT A JUNK YARD AND PUT IT IN AND I HAVE WIPERS AGAIN YAYYYYYYYYYYYY ME.....

BUT THERE IS ONE THING YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE G.E.M. WHEN YOU PULL THE ASHTRAY AND THE RADIO OUT, THE G.E.M IS TO THE LEFT OF THE ASHTRAY AND THE RADIO AND IS A SMALL LITTLE BROWN BOX AND NOT THE BIG BLACK ONE NEXT TO IT!!!!!

I PULLED THE ONE AND HAD TO GO BACK THE NEXT DAY TO GET THE LITTLE BROWN ONE WHAT A PAIN..... :fire:

SEE NOW ONE ON HERE WILL TELL YOU THAT, THAT THERE ARE 2 BOXES AND WHICH ONE TO PULL.....

AND THE SAME DAY I GOT THE WIPERS TO WORK MY TRUCK WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE PARKED BY A HIT & RUN DRIVER!!!!!!!! :fire:

NOW I NEED TO GET A DRIVERS DOOR AND A LEFT PASSANGER DOOR

geez, the ole X had a rough week i guess.

 

[toddious]

so you'd say it's the GEM and not the wiper motor or relays? like i said before, i hear a clicking sound from the relays when i try to turn the wipers on.

 

[MrDoggieStyle]

Under The Dash? If Its Under The Dash Its The G.e.m. Module!!!!!!!

 

[toddious]

no, the clicking sound is definately coming from the relay box. i even removed the 2 relays for the wipers, and the sound stops. does anyone elses relays make a clicking noise when you turn your wipers on?

i'm hoping it's not the GEM. or the motor.