wiper problems?

[boweeba]

I would like some help with my wipers. Here is the
problem. Some times my wipers work and sometimes they don't.
I took my '91 explorer into a very good shop here in town and they could not find a problem. They told me that the
wipers worked fine for them and all the wires and connections looked great,they also took the steering wheel off and it looked good in there too. But everytime my wife takes the car out when it's raining they mess up. By mess up I mean the wipers will be working fine and then they will stop or they will stagger half way and start and stop. Please help if you can.

[Edited by boweeba on 10-20-2000 at 06:24 PM]

 

[Ray Lobato]

I am going to move this to the General forum, where it will be looked at more than here.

 

[01EB5.0]

Sounds like a connection is bad. Maybe your ford dealer may be able to figure it out because they may know more about this then the local shop.

 

[Barry Loar]

During State inspection, our 97 Sport was "flagged" for intermittent 4-way flasher operation .. so the dealer replaced the 4-way flasher switch on the steering column (and harness for about $120.00). After that the wipers operated intermittently, wouldn't work unless you squeezed the wiper stalk OR you had to wiggle the 4-way switch to get the wipers to start. Luckily the dealer replaced the 4-way switch/harness N/C and problem was solved. This may not apply to your 91 problem BUT was kind of a bizarre wiper symptom that may help someone out.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Wiper functions on newer Explorers are controlled by the General Electronic Module (GEM). There is a currently a recall on the GEM because of malfunctioning wipers and Auto 4x4. Not sure if the '91 has the GEM, but it is another possibility.

 

[DirtyDog]

GEM and recalls

Where can i find the gem and find out if mine was recalled

 

[HumptHerRumpty]

Hey Man i have the exact same problem!!! Mine only work on super high and when they for some reason work fine they will stop suddenly in the middle of my windshield. Its really annoying. I dont know what it is either. I am going to take mine into a ford dealer. IF you find a Solution let me know ok? Thanks man...Later

Mike

 

[HumptHerRumpty]

Oh yeah mine is a 91' also just so you know... ha ha..later dude

 

[TPLYNCH]

The GEM is behind the dash. I'm not exactly sure where. "98-"99 GEM's were recalled, not the '95's that I know of. Also, the contacts in the wiper/turn signal stalk get dirty. You can pop the cap and clean the contacts and see if that works before dealing with the GEM...... $$$$$$ to replace that.$$$$$$

 

[addkev]

Why wiper switch itself was recalled and so was my moms on her Expedition. That was probably a year ago.

 

[DirtyDog]

Thanks-I'll try cleaning it first

 

[jdub07]

Maybe you should check to wiper motor or have it tested. The same thing happened on my VW not my Explorer but I found it was the motor. What was funny was that it worked better on the highest setting yet the motor was still shot. Good luck