Finally solved the intermittent wiper issue!

[Hooligan]

After putting up with my wipers just stopping and restarting out of the blue, I finally figured it out (I hope). I tore apart the column, checked the plugs on the assembly. I found the one plastic part of the plug, a little brown and the plastic was falling apart.

Think thats the problem? It wasn't! The contacts were still fine, just the plastic on the plug seems to have aged a little. I cleaned all the contacts on both plugs with electrode cleaner and dried them. Then I tried the wipers and guess what?! TOTALLY DEAD now!!! As I turned the wipers on and off, I could hear the relay box clicking...so that meant to me that the switch WAS working. I pull the two relays for the wipers and from what I could tell, the relays were starting to go. Take a look at the terminals on the relays.

Corroded at the base, hence the blue and white junk. Luckily, I had more OEM relays in the garage and threw them in. I started thinking "It can't be this simple" and tested the wipers out. They worked in a heartbeat!! I took the truck out for a drive testing every function and it is all working properly!

 

[Diabolical Ranger]

glad you got it figured out, who would have guessed that

 

[Redneck_ranger]

Sweet, now it won't be as fun driving in the rain!

 

[Hooligan]

Turns out the relays werent the issue. The wipers died on me on the way to work. After stopping a few times I tracked it down to the wire harness going into the wiper motor. Moving it toward the cab, full power, moved away, they die. Electrical tape was a quick fix for now but the plug doesnt want to work when its pushed completely in, if let out slightly it works fine....go figure

 

[Diabolical Ranger]

glad you got it figured out, who would have guessed that

and again^

 

[Hooligan]

It pissed me off today! Almost wiped out on the highway. I just have to figure out the permanant fix for it now

 

[Diabolical Ranger]

sounds like a new connector is needed

dont wipe out on the hiway man

 

[Hooligan]

yeah I have to clean it when I get home so I hope thats all it needs

 

[ob269]

Looks like you'll have to stick your arm out the window with a squeegee!!

 

[Hooligan]

Yup...looks like it!!!

 

[Dcrymes99ranger]

Hey Clinton, I'm having a similar issue with mine. I'll be driving down the highway and when out of nowhere my wipers come on for no reason at all. The'll swipe across twice and cut off then go freaking crazy. I have to cut the wipers on then back off before they'll stop. Do you think this is just a relay? I haven't tried swapping them yet though. And do you know the relay part number. Cause I work at Advance and we can't look it up on the catalog on the computer. But I may can match it up with one I have on the shelf.

 

[Redneck_ranger]

Hey Clinton, I'm having a similar issue with mine. I'll be driving down the highway and when out of nowhere my wipers come on for no reason at all. The'll swipe across twice and cut off then go freaking crazy. I have to cut the wipers on then back off before they'll stop. Do you think this is just a relay? I haven't tried swapping them yet though. And do you know the relay part number. Cause I work at Advance and we can't look it up on the catalog on the computer. But I may can match it up with one I have on the shelf.

My mom's 99 Sable does the same thing. Would it be the same relay? Or something different? Sorry to threadjack...

 

[Hooligan]

Hey Clinton, I'm having a similar issue with mine. I'll be driving down the highway and when out of nowhere my wipers come on for no reason at all. The'll swipe across twice and cut off then go freaking crazy. I have to cut the wipers on then back off before they'll stop. Do you think this is just a relay? I haven't tried swapping them yet though. And do you know the relay part number. Cause I work at Advance and we can't look it up on the catalog on the computer. But I may can match it up with one I have on the shelf.

So far its down to the wire harness, whether its the motor or the harness itself, I am still working on it. I found by using a zip tie to the wires at the base of the plug, they stayed on for an hour long ride. I am going to trouble shoot it more by swapping wiper motors so that should tell me if its the motor or the harness. I have cleaned the pins in the motor, cleaned the harness and it continued. I will let you know the progress, but it may be slow, I have alot going on!

Dan if your wipers are coming on by themselves try swapping relays. there are 2, one for high setting and one for low setting. If that doesnt do it, you may need to replace the whole wiper stalk or the end switch may just need some lube

 

[Hooligan]

After messing around and trouble shooting, the wipers continue to act up. A used wiper motor went in, so lets hope that does the trick!

Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[Hooligan]

Update

The new wiper motor seems to be doing the trick, and so far no issues!

 

[Jjohnston1013]

Anyone ever figure out it was likely the interval governor in these old Ford/Mercury cars getting its old soldering cracked when the foot pedal e brake releases next to it one time too often?