Wipers - Almost there

[68FORDJBM]

It rains alot in Seattle and my wipers don't work. Where do I start?

I have a 1968 Ford F100 Ranger.

Where is the wiper motor located? I'm not sure if one is even installed unless it's somewhere other than the engin compartment.

[Banjo]

It's up in the middle of your dash on the inside. Check your fuze first. check to make sure your wires are plugged into the back of the wiper switch and that the switch is tight to the dash as it grounds through the dash. You can shoot the switch full of electrical contact cleaner available at most places, it might work. I finally had to install a new control switch as mine were on and off at random. good luck, Banjo.

[fordman]

the only time i have ever seen wipers not work is becasue of a bad switch. but i woudl check power coming to the switch first through the orange wire with the white stripe. if you have power to the switch then check for power going out of the switch. then if you have power out of the switch the motor coul dbe bad or the wiring to it.

[68FORDJBM]

Still no wipers. I replaced replaced the switch and still no luck. I don't think it's the switch because they both tested the same: I measured 12V coming in from the single plug with a black and orange wire with yellow stripe and no power from the single plug with the green wire with black stripe. Although a second time I checked the same black and orange/yellow wire there were only 7V???? I can't measure any voltage coming out of the switch no matter what I do??? There is a 3 pronged electrical connection with an Orange wire with white stripe that goes to the multi pronged plug and that has 12V. One of the holes one the three pronged plugs is empty and the other had a short black wire that was cut - all outlets have 12V.

I pulled the motor wondering if I can have it tested? Maybe I just replace it since I went to the trouble of pulling it? I tried to jump 12 volts directly to the motor with no luck. The moving arm coming from the motor that drives the linkages to the blades doesn't move mannualy. Is that normal?

I'll insert as many pictures as I can to help. I'm stumped. Please help.

[fordman]

do you have power at the three pronged plug in the last picture? that is your power to the switch. if you have power htere then it should work. that is the only wire i hooked up when imade those videos for you tube. the cut black wire is for you radio or dome light. those other 2 plugs in the last picture dont have anything to do with the wipers. maybe the washers. but i cant remember what the washer wire looks like. orange with the white stripe is power in.

[68FORDJBM]

Yes, 12 V in all three holes. Those other plugs plug into the wiper switch where the arrows are pointing. So you think those are for the washer fluid pump which isn't installed - just working on the wipers for now?

I guess I thought power came in through the plug with the Orange/yello stripe and was switched to the wires operating the wiper motor, but you're saying that power comes in from the Orange/white stripe, travels through the switch and back to the wiper motor? So now I need to check power coming out of the switch now that I know how it works. I think it's the motor since I've already applied 12 volts to the motor and neither the old switch or the new switch can make the motor turn on.

Thanks!

[fordman]

yes power goes in witht he orange with white stripe. it could be the motor. if both switches have power going out from them.

[68FORDJBM]

I have working wipers! I replaced the wiper motor and used the orginal switch. I get two speeds but the wipers park in the wrong position. Is this the switch again?

Also, I tried the motor with a brand new switch and something wasn't right - I could feel the electricty rattling around in the switch but nothing worked. I immediatly turned everything off and removed it. Are these things prone to being defective? Or did I get the wrong switch?

[fordman]

a brand new switch bad? was it made in china? i dont know about the park thing. you can take the wipers off and reposition them so that the park spot puts the wipers in the right place. i am unsure if park is for the motor or the switch. someone else will have to tell more about that.

[70_F100]

The park function is controlled internally in the motor.

[68FORDJBM]

I like your suggestion - that makes sense and is simple. I'll give it a try. The orginal shop manual states if the wipers don't stop in the park position then that it is a bad switch. That's way too complicated:). I'm assuming the wipers come off and go back on in any position?

[70_F100]

I like your suggestion - that makes sense and is simple. I'll give it a try. The orginal shop manual states if the wipers don't stop in the park position then that it is a bad switch. That's way too complicated:). I'm assuming the wipers come off and go back on in any position?

The switch you're referring to is the park switch, and it is internal to the wiper motor. It includes a set of points that open when the wipers reach the correct "Park" position. When the wiper control switch is turned to the "Off" position, it supplies power to the low-speed circuit until the points in the park switch open. I'm not totally sure, but there may be some adjustment to that switch. The catch is, you'll have to pull the motor apart to see.

If the wipers are operating correctly when they are on, that is, if the sweep pattern is correct, you don't want to move them on the pivots.

[fordman]

yes i think that is what i read abotu the park functioning.

[FORDification]

[68FORDJBM]

I'm not sure if taking apart a brand new wiper motor is advised at least not from a warantee standpoint. Wouldn't it be safe to assume that a new motor would have the park switch adjusted correctly? Or at least come with some sort of instuctions for setting the park switch adjustment within the motor?