Wipers will not work at all

[CarlosL]

This is my first post. A little about my situation. I am an Army pilot stationed in Germany. It started to snow within the last month. This is my only vehicle to get to and from work for now. I am deploying soon and decided not to buy a second car.

Here are the symptoms. I am hoping this is an easy fix. It's getting too cold to apply the Rain-X.

The wipers do not work at all. My radio does not work either. When I put the truck in drive, it will no longer automatically lock the doors. Every once and a while when I drive over a bump the radio comes on. Then, as soon as I try to turn on the wipers, I lose the radio.

I'm not worried about the radio right now, I just need my wipers back.

Thanks in advance. I hope I posted this thread in the right area.

Carlos

98 Explorer Eddie Bauer SOHC V-6

 

[TPLYNCH]

Have you tried checking / replacing the fuses / relays? If it's nothing as simple as that, Multiple electrical system problems are generally related to a problem with the General Electronics Module (GEM). It is located behind the radio in the dash. There was a recall related to the GEM's for my '99. May have also covered the '98's. Among symptoms was phantom wipers - working/not working whenever they felt like it.

P.S. Welcome to the site, and thanks for your service!

 

[CarlosL]

Tom,

Thanks for the quick response. I know that there are a few areas that I can check fuses. Where are the relays? Which fuses should I be checking?

I should add that all other electrical functions are operating properly. I've disconnected the battery terminals and cleaned them. I have also traced them back to make sure there are no dings and such. When the radio comes on, it works fine.

Thanks for the comment.

Carlos

 

[CarlosL]

Update to Wiper issue

I went and checked all fuses and relays associated with the shift lock, radio and wipers. I did some swapping of relays and such to no avail. My next step is to check the wiper motor with a volt meter.

Am I going in the right direction? Is there an easier way to check the wiper motor?

Thanks

Carlos

 

[TPLYNCH]

My gut is telling me it is not the motor. Another item that can go is the multifunction switch (the turn signal/wiper switch) on the steering column. That can go bad. If you press for the windshield sprayer, does it work? The problem with 3 separate electrical systems still makes me think GEM however.

 

[CarlosL]

The sprayer does not work. The turn signals and the hi-beams do work, however. The GEM sounds like and expensive part.

I'm borrowing a voltmeter today to see if the wipers are getting enough juice. Could it also be a loose ground somewhere?

 

[TPLYNCH]

It could be a loose connection to the GEM. And yes, the GEM is a $300 dealer only part. Like I mentioned earlier, they were recalled back in 1999/2000. Your '98 may have been covered. You can try contacting Ford to see if it applied to your Ex, and if the work was ever done. They look it up via the VIN #.

 

[CarlosL]

I've been troubleshooting the problem but I think I am focusing on the wrong problem. Is there aome sort of connection between the radio controls on the steering wheel and the wipers and the radio? I believe that there is some sort of loose connection in that area.

Is there somewhere I can download the wiring diagram of the 98 EB Explorer?

 

[Ranger Al]

I am wondering if you checked the right fuse for the wiper. Acording to my book, it is located on #16 slot with 30 amp fuse.