Wiper switch ?

[Patstang]

Driving in the rain, the wipers did everything that they should have,.... for a while. The low setting would make the wipers stop anywhere & They would not stop at the bottom of the windshield in any way. I had to time it right. The high setting was all that worked,....for a while. Repeat. After 100 miles in the rain, I got P/O'ed and quickly switched the wiper control to off and the wipers landed where they should have. I tried only the intermittant-wipe settings with no problem. I haven't tried to switch to high to not jinx myself.

It's the switch, correct ?

I'm pretty sure that the wiper/turns signal switch is about $45-$50.00 for part.

Is labor going to wound my wallet ? I'm going to check my Crown Vic repair manual about difficulty. Have nowhere to work on the car for a while.

Any info is greatly appreciated & thanks in advance.

[Merrill]

Crazy, mine started acting up today too.
Search for "Wacky Wipers" a post on 10/1/2008
will give you the fix.

[Billy]

It's called the Multi-Function Switch or MFS. $45-50 is about right. And it's a really easy part to replace yourself if you have any mechanical ability at all. Should take like half an hour start to finish. You just got to pop off the steering column cover and remove the MFS and switch in the new one. If you need any help, feel free to ask!

[SC Cheesehead]

Crazy, mine started acting up today too.
Search for "Wacky Wipers" a post on 10/1/2008
will give you the fix.

^^^^^ What he said.

The symptoms described by to OP are classic wacky wiper issues.

Here the linky:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47864

[Billy]

The wiper motor may be the issue, but the MFS may also be the issue. It's 50/50. I wouldn't put all my money on it being either. But replacing the MFS is always good for peace of mine.

[Patstang]

I will replace MFS first. thanks. I'll keep you informed.

[fastblackmerc]

Personally, I'd go with the cheapest thing first.

[FF1077]

I thought I had this problem at one time and did a LOT of reading up about it. The majority of the time it was the wiper motor. I know the MFS makes the most sense, but I read lots of posts of people buying them to later end up changing the wiper motor.
Like the others said, read up on Wacky Wipers.

[Krytin]

Based on your description I would say it's the motor and not the switch - had it happen on two cars the same way and both times it was the motor printed circut board (part of the motor ass.) that was shorted/burned out due to water damage.

[wickedmerc]

I had the same problem a few months ago. Reg wipers and intermittent didn't work but high speed did. Mechanic replaced motor 1st...no luck. Changed directional stalk and I'm back in business.
Good luck!

[SC Cheesehead]

I thought I had this problem at one time and did a LOT of reading up about it. The majority of the time it was the wiper motor. I know the MFS makes the most sense, but I read lots of posts of people buying them to later end up changing the wiper motor.
Like the others said, read up on Wacky Wipers.


Based on your description I would say it's the motor and not the switch - had it happen on two cars the same way and both times it was the motor printed circut board (part of the motor ass.) that was shorted/burned out due to water damage.


The wiper motor may be the issue, but the MFS may also be the issue. It's 50/50. I wouldn't put all my money on it being either. But replacing the MFS is always good for peace of mine.


Personally, I'd go with the cheapest thing first.

^^^^^^ Wha he said.

The OP said the problems started while he was driving in the rain, I'd bet it's due to crap built up in the wiper motor cowl trapping water ad causing a short in the wiper motor. Will take $0.00 to check out and clean out; yu can always do the MFS if that doesn't work.

[boyswithtoys007]

Had the same problem replaced the switch problem still there then replaced the motor next car under warranty the funny thing is according to fords computer that the techs use it could be the headlight switch and are headlights are suposed to turn on when wipers on low.

[fastblackmerc]

Had the same problem replaced the switch problem still there then replaced the motor next car under warranty the funny thing is according to fords computer that the techs use it could be the headlight switch and are headlights are suposed to turn on when wipers on low.

That is correct.