They're Baaaack .... Wacky Wipers

[Bluerauder]

Two weeks ago enroute to a CAM Meet, my windshield wipers went into the "haunted" mode. They kept turning on and off. I pulled over in a parking lot and shut the MM down, turned the lights to the off-position and that seemed to fix it for awhile.

However, yesterday I was enroute to the Annapolis area. About 30 minutes into the trip, the wipers went "haunted" again. I have changed the light switch position, jiggled the wiper stalk, shut her down and restarted to no avail. They wiped all the way up and all the way home. How embarrassing. :o

Now with the wipers on ... it appears my autolights work in any position include off, lights on or running lights. This is very frustrating. :mad: Looks like the Blue MM is headed for the service department (just shy of 36K). :D

BDJ --- if you are out there ---- please copy the note that you sent to Natehawk recently on how you eventually got this situation fixed. :bows:

[Zack]

Your battery voltage has dropped below 12 volts when the car is running probably due to a bad alternator.
The computer goes crazy and turns things on and off when it sees less than 12 volts.

[Bluerauder]

Your battery voltage has dropped below 12 volts when the car is running probably due to a bad alternator.
Seems like it is charging OK. Runs generally in the 13.5-14.0 volt range. Will keep my eye on the meter to see if it drops low. Seems like a bad multi-function switch to me since it only appears to affect the wipers. And when the wipers are on --- the lights go on after a short period -- just like they did in the AutoLight setting.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

That Happens To The Wife's 99 Sable All The Time.

[ckadiddle]

I see freaky wiper syndrome has struck again. Mine was fixed by dealer under warranty. I think they replaced the wiper motor assembly and changed out some sort of wiring harness for it to a newer design. (?) It's been a while, no trouble since. Of course, I was first afflicted with FWS on the way to a Marauder meet.

[SergntMac]

I drive with my lights on anyway, so, I never noticed this until recently.

With my headlights off and autolamp off, if I turn my wipers on, about a minute later, the headlights come on. When I turn them off, a minute later the headlights go off. I don't think this has anything to do with the "autolamp" feature, which I do not use either. I think autolamp is just for automatic lights in the dark, yes?

[Bluerauder]

I drive with my lights on anyway, so, I never noticed this until recently.

With my headlights off and autolamp off, if I turn my wipers on, about a minute later, the headlights come on. When I turn them off, a minute later the headlights go off. I don't think this has anything to do with the "autolamp" feature, which I do not use either. I think autolamp is just for automatic lights in the dark, yes?
I noticed only that the lights would go on when the wipers were activated and the light switch was in the "Autolamp" setting. I rarely if ever used the manual on-off position so I never noticed if the wipers triggered lights even without "Autolamp".

Update --- the wipers have behaved themselves all day. Now I gotta see whether they act up on the way home. :rolleyes:

[Bigdogjim]

PM sent from Fleet Management North Atlantic Area:)

[Fast4Door]

The lights will always come on when the wipers are on (after about a minute).
This is a "feature" on our cars (according to the owners manual).

As for the "mystery wipers" there is a TSB (don't have the number handy) reffering to moisture getting into the motor and causing problems. The fix is a new motor and wiring connector, as mentioned above.

Good luck.

[GreekGod]

It seems this problem has been with the Panther chassis since 2001! Ford calls it "uncommanded wiper operation" Tech. service bulletin #05-04-09. Someone please post a copy?