Windshield Wiper Gremlins

[ctrlraven]

So I was heading out from work to get some lunch, got in the car and turned the wipers on for one quick swipe to clean the windshield off since it's been raining the past 2 days. Pulled out of my lot and the wiper gremlin thought it would be cute to mess with me. Wipers wouldn't turn off so I just put them on the longest delay. Got back in the car from lunch and they were fine. Thought it was just a fluke? Wrong. Had to move my car around the lot to let some roll backs drop of some clients cars and it started back up again. By the end of work it was dry out and I wasn't about to drive with them going on the whole trip to my other job. Grabbed the manual found the fuse and pulled it but left the fuse in reach in case I needed to put it back in cause it was looking like it was going to rain again. Stopped off to get some dinner and came back out and it was raining so I put the fuse back in and the wipers weren't coming on by themselves anymore nor was the washer working and the wipers were only working on High setting. I have a very strong feeling it is the Multi-Function switch. I don't know if pulling the fuse out a bunch of times helped anything but I cleaned my windshield real well and slapped on some Rain-X to take care of the light run until I can get a new switch.

Any notes on swapping the switches to look for? Also does anyone have a new switch P/N? I'm going to have SilverSurfer03 check out the price of a used one for me but if a new one is just a little bit more I'll pick up a new one.

[1stMerc]

Hate to tell you, but it's most likely not the switch, but the motor itself. Theres been numerous posts about this issue. I myself have experienced it and contributed to some of those posts. Do a search on "uncommanded wipers". or just wipers. Will tell you all you need to know.

[ctrlraven]

Is the motor hard to replace?

[ckadiddle]

Or search on "wacky wiper".

[NATEHAWK]

Nope I have done plenty of wiper motors and its easy.........Take your time and pull off the wiper arms make sure not to bend them.

[ctrlraven]

Now I just have to figure out which thing to try replacing first.

[SILVERSURFER03]

I Would Start With The Easyer One First ----- The Wiper Motor

Before Pulling The Column Apart For The Switch ... But Thats

Just Me And My Opinon........................ .........lol

[ctrlraven]

I don't get paid until next week so I'll let you know which part to get me Brian.

[ImpalaSlayer]

sucks dosent it! but yes you need a new motor

[Sully008]

TSB
05-4-9
UNCOMMANDED WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION
Publication Date: February 16, 2005

FORD:
2003 Crown Victoria
MERCURY:
2003 Grand Marquis

ISSUE:

Some 2003 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis vehicles may exhibit the windshield wiper turning on intermittently without activating the wiper switch.
ACTION:

Inspect the wiper motor and connector for signs of corrosion and/or moisture. If any corrosion or moisture are found, and the wipers exhibit an intermittent uncommanded operation, replace the wiper motor and connector/pig tail. If no visible sign of moisture or corrosion is present follow normal diagnostics in Section 501-16 of the Workshop Manual.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
3W7Z-17508-AA Wiper Motor
3W7Z-17A477-AA Connector Pig Tail

[my_rodder]

when I got my car the wipers did not work at all I replaced the muti function switch for $42 from ford, and the wiper motor. Mine turned out to be pinched wire, this worked for a while but last week they quit again. :( Both were easy to do. good luck.

[Bluerauder]

So I was heading out from work to get some lunch, got in the car and turned the wipers on for one quick swipe to clean the windshield off since it's been raining the past 2 days.
My bet is that the water is puddling under your wiper motor and shorting it out. That's what happened to me --- twice. Fix includes replacing the wiper motor and the pigtail AND ENLARGING THE DRAIN HOLE BELOW THE MOTOR. This is definitely the time of year to have stuff clogging up that drain.

[ctrlraven]

Thanks Sully for the part numbers! and thanks for the tip Charlie I will def. check out the drain hole and enlarge it.

[1stMerc]

One other thing you can do. When washing the car turn the nozzle on jet and shoot water between the slots in the cowl. This techique worked for me, so well that they didn't act up till the second time in for an oil change. I left it alone just for the dealer to see. Motor was replaced.

[Blackened300a]

Been there and done that, The dealer replaced the wiper motor and harness. Its been perfect since. Mine started out with a single wipe then it would be fine for a few weeks and then it would start again. Then the headlights started going wacky and before long the wipers just didnt work at all.

[Bigdogjim]

Last time mine were fixed was about 2 years it cost over $2,000. Wipers blew out a number of modules’ and took out the ac unit: mad:

It is been ok now for a while. It usally has a headlight issue attached to it also.

[ctrlraven]

That's interesting that you guys talk about the headlights. I don't know if it has anything to do with my left headlight going out or not. I do have HIDs and have switched the lighting units and the drivers side still went out every once in a while on a slight bump or no bump.

I'll def get the motor and pigtail replaced asap.

[Bigdogjim]

What when on in my car was the first time around the wipers would come on when ever and the headlight would not go out till you turned off the key.

Next go round the washers went off and burned out the pump.

3rd time the wipers started and then pretty much everything went south.

It all good now :up:

[ctrlraven]

I have the wiper fuse pulled out right now until I can get it all fixed.

[Breadfan]

My bet is that the water is puddling under your wiper motor and shorting it out. That's what happened to me --- twice. Fix includes replacing the wiper motor and the pigtail AND ENLARGING THE DRAIN HOLE BELOW THE MOTOR. This is definitely the time of year to have stuff clogging up that drain.

Mine went berserk today. Picked it up from the shop having my new mufflers put in, and they guy was like "Hey, do you know why your car's wipers come on for no reason?"

Whole way home they were acting up.

After the rain and pollen plus being parked under a tree I bet this is it!

Since this happened not long after Chris's, yeah maybe you are right this is the time of year!

[Dave-T]

Could someone tell me how to get to the wiper motor?

[Dave-T]

Found it! Thanks

[ctrlraven]

Glad you found it, make sure you clean the trap door out well lol. I can't believe how much "compost" was stuck in mine lol.

[TiTo35]

Is it fixed yet ctrl?