Wiper issues, is there a Relay in there somewhere?

42134 Views 13 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Sloride75, Mar 20, 2013

scottswierenga

Discussion Starter · Nov 9, 2009

1994 XLT 351 (for reference sake)
It had to happen in the rain...............of course! But here's what I had experienced, and what I've got now.

1. Wipers worked.....but only on the High setting, the wipers themselves were slow & jerky.
2. Then they started stopping all together for anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. (The wipers would stop, and stay, at any point in their arch of movement...never the same spot)
3. They eventually stopped moving all together after a while. (Thankfully they had come to stop in the down/off position)
4. Now when I try to turn them on, I get a click noise from behind the glovebox area, and see a power drain on the electrical guage and a dimming of all lights. (Still only any reaction is achieved with the switch on the High setting, just as before when the wipers moved, but now no movement)

Is there a relay in the system behind the glovebox area that could be bad? I haven't done an inspection yet but thought this might be a good starting point.

Please don't straight up suggest a wiper motor swap......unless you know for a fact that this is the cause of the whole problem. The question is about a potential relay that might be damaged and cheaper/easier to replace than the whole motor assembly. If I'm wrong please point me in the right direction.

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Alvin in AZ

· #2 · Nov 9, 2009

scottswierenga said:
1994 XLT 351 (for reference sake)...
Is there a relay in the system behind the glovebox area that could be bad?
I haven't done an inspection yet but thought this might be a good starting point.
Please don't straight up suggest a wiper motor swap...

Knock-me-in-the-head if I ever get dumb enough to suggest that outright. :/
At that point I'd be too dumb to live.

Instead I suggest getting a meter...
http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/img/mgi/5898.jpg
...and a wiring diagram here at...
http://www.autozone.com/
...and using your head and some time and effort.

What do you say?

Alvin in AZ

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miesk5

· #3 · Nov 9, 2009

yo!
That is a Wiper Control Module (WCM)

WS Wiper Motor, WCM, etc. Testing Diagram & Instructions in 92-96
Source: by Ford via Steve83 at SuperMotors.net

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93moneypit

· #4 · Nov 15, 2010

Hey miesk5 you wouldn't happen to have a link for a WCM diagram that shows the circuit numbers for testing, I havent been able to find one. Thanks

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Andrewu6

· #5 · Nov 15, 2010

sounds like exactly what happend to me, how old are you acutal wipers, mine were real old and crusty and wouldnt let the rubber flip over right off the bat. but I got some new ones and everything is perfect

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78wookie

· #6 · Nov 15, 2010

CHECK WIPER MOTOR!!!

Before going down the WCM rout (I know cause I did many times) check out the motor and the contacts on the motor. Read this thread!:

http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166221

If you find you still need a WCM, send me a PM. I have many of them and they're REALLY expensive to buy new. Please read the thread linked above first. Save yourself some $$$$.

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Kipp

· #7 · Nov 15, 2010

yeah, start from the motor and work your way backwards. see if it's getting power the way it should. could also test the wires at the switch and see if they are sending out proper signal (could be a bad switch). then of course the control module. here are some wire colors from chilton manual (may not be 100% accurate, test at your own risk).

wiper switch to WCM:
orange
brown/white (wash switch)
dk blu/wht

at wcm (numbers before color may be pin number)

1. orange (to switch)
2. dk grn (12V switched)
3. blk (ground)
4. blk/wht (to washer pump)
5. blk (ground)
7. brn/wht (to switch)
8. dk blu/org (to wiper motor)
9. dk blu/wht (to switch)
10. yel/red (to motor)
11. dk grn (12V switched)
13. blk/pink (to motor)
14. wht (to motor)

there is atleast some basic info to get ya started. def check the tech threads above for some more spefic help

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devlzluv

· #8 · Nov 16, 2010

same thing happened on my flareside, only worked on high, had to replace it with a new motor and now it works well.

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BigRed93

· #9 · Nov 24, 2010

Hey dude! I had a similar problem with my 93' Just recently. Turned out, it was a bad switch. The ol' turnsignal-wiper-and wash combo deal. It also houses your flashers. They're about 70 bucks from advance. Pricey, but it's an easy install should you ACTUALLY need one of these. If the motors are recieving power, and your wipers aren't motivated... odds are it's a new motor you need. Mine weren't getting power signals so I new right away it was my switch. Hope this helps a lil.

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miesk5

· #10 · Nov 25, 2010

yo kipp, good stuff;
here it is from 1996 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-Super Duty and Bronco Workshop Manual

If image doesn't load;
Pin Number Circuit & Circuit Function
1 589 (O) Multi-Function Switch Mode
2 65 (DG) Ignition Power (Hot in ACC or RUN)
3 57 (BK) Ground Circuit
4 941 (BK/W) Windshield Washer Pump Motor Feed
5 57 (BK) Ground Circuit
6 — Not Used
7 993 (BR/W) Multi-Function Switch (Common)
8 56 (DB/O) Wiper Motor LO Speed
9 590 (DB/W) Multi-Function Switch (Internal Mode)
10 61 (Y/R) Wiper Motor (Common)
11 65 (DG) Ignition Power (Hot in ACC or RUN)
12 — Not Used
13 28 (BK/PK) Wiper Motor Park Switch
14 58 (W) Wiper Motor HI
............

Refer to the following electrical schematics when performing diagnostic pinpoint tests.

Interval Wiper, Washer Circuit — Except F-53 Motorhome

-----'

Wiper Control Module Connector

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/maint/stj/images/k20323c.gif

-----------

Turn Signal and Windshield Wiper Switch Connector

Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
1 589 (O) Multi-Function Switch Mode
2 15 (R/Y) Headlamp Dimmer Switch Feed
3 13 (R/BK) Headlamp Dimmer Switch to Low Beams
4 993 (BR/W) Multi-Function Switch (Common)
5 12 (LG/BK) Headlamp Dimmer Switch to High Beams
6 590 (DB/W) Multi-Function Switch (Internal Mode)
7 196 (DB/O) Instrument Panel Lamps Feed
--------

Wiper Motor Connector

Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
1 57 (BK) Ground Circuit
2 28 (BK/PK) Wiper Motor Park Switch
3 65 (DG) Wiper Motor Power (Park Feed)
4 61 (Y/R) Wiper Motor Common (Run)
5 56 (DB/O) Windshield Wiper Motor LO Speed
6 58 (W) Windshield Wiper Motor HI Speed

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marcuskon

· #11 · Nov 19, 2011

I don't mean to hijack this thread but I didnt want to create a thread for the sole purpose of asking a question.

ok so here's the question.

I have a 85FSB I6 I am experiencing a problem where the wipers don't work at all but I do get a clicking sound in dashboard, so I replaced the wiper switch and pulled out the harness with the little black box that makes the clicking sounds. So my question are:

1.) is this the problem?
2.) if so where can I find a new one?

the motorcraft part# is E4TF-17C479-AA

I have looked everywhere online, junkyards here in hawaii and no luck. :/

Thanks!

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FordsForeverEric

· #12 · Nov 20, 2011

:smilie_slap THREAD HI-JACKER!!! lol sorry I can't help ya

Thanks OP for posting this cause I have the exact same problem! Lots of awesome info here. Now I just have to get off my ass and fix it...

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TonyM

· #13 · Mar 20, 2013

If there is power to the white wire (Wiper motor speed HI) at the motor, but the wipers still don't work, its most likely the wiper motor than yes? Or can it still be the WCM? I don't have a volt meter .... just a test light... is there a chance it just isn't getting enough juice from the WCM?

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Sloride75

· #14 · Mar 20, 2013

marcuskon said:
I don't mean to hijack this thread but I didnt want to create a thread for the sole purpose of asking a question.

ok so here's the question.

I have a 85FSB I6 I am experiencing a problem where the wipers don't work at all but I do get a clicking sound in dashboard, so I replaced the wiper switch and pulled out the harness with the little black box that makes the clicking sounds. So my question are:

1.) is this the problem?
2.) if so where can I find a new one?

the motorcraft part# is E4TF-17C479-AA

I have looked everywhere online, junkyards here in hawaii and no luck. :/

Thanks!

There's a thread on here somewhere about taking that little black box apart and finding a common failure of the solder joints going to the lil capacitor in there...try using search.

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