Possessed Wiper

[Bilbob]

My 88LSC wipers are possessed! The MF switch seems to have no control over wiper. Runs and will not stop; runs fast or slow regardless of setting; hi-speed/low speed does not seem to make a difference--it does as it wishes! There is no BRAIN in the wiper system, only the MF switch, correct??? That the possible problem?

[ekooke]

Yes, the controls are in the MF switch. My '90 Mark once had problems with the intermittent wiper selector part, so I sprayed the control barrel with TV tuner cleaner (Radio Shack, about $7) and the control returned to normal after just a few minutes. You may want to try that before tearing into the switch.

[Shrewsbury]

Yes, the controls are in the MF switch. My '90 Mark once had problems with the intermittent wiper selector part, so I sprayed the control barrel with TV tuner cleaner (Radio Shack, about $7) and the control returned to normal after just a few minutes. You may want to try that before tearing into the switch.

Can this be done without removing the switch from the column?

[ekooke]

Can this be done without removing the switch from the column?

Yes it can.

[Nick]

If I remember correctly, there is a wiper governor under the dash that can go bad. I am not sure of the symptoms, but erratic operation would be my guess.

[demonswede]

Have swapped the Stalker Switch & the governor box - with same result. Hopefully, there was not the same problems with the used parts I bought.

After checking I have no ground whatsoever at wire 28 at wiper motor. According to the book, the defect is in the wiper motor.

However, the book is very bad as it does not declare every check you can do with an OhmMeter in every mode. It is even hard to understand in which modes you shall make the OhmChecks.

After cutting the lower red/blue? I have no park, but can run the wipers in the fastest mode.

Any ideas?

[Tony T]

Have swapped the Stalker Switch & the governor box - with same result. Hopefully, there was not the same problems with the used parts I bought.

After checking I have no ground whatsoever at wire 28 at wiper motor. According to the book, the defect is in the wiper motor.

However, the book is very bad as it does not declare every check you can do with an OhmMeter in every mode. It is even hard to understand in which modes you shall make the OhmChecks.

After cutting the lower red/blue? I have no park, but can run the wipers in the fastest mode.

Any ideas?
The "stalk switch" provides the ground for the wipers when in int, lo or hi. For parking the ground (and power) is provided through the motor/switch. If the little ground wire at the motor is good, then the problem is internal to the wiper motor/switch.

[demonswede]

How can you tell if the ground problem is in the motor or the switch.

Is it possible to repair the motor?

[Tony T]

How can you tell if the ground problem is in the motor or the switch.

Is it possible to repair the motor?
The motor is good as it runs, When turned to off, the switch, which is PART of the motor mechanism takes over the parking of the wipers. I've never taken one apart, but I would certainly try to fix it before replacing it because you have to get motor in all. I'm cheap so I always try to fix the old parts before buying new. I've gottin more life out of window and door lock motors by taking them apart to clean/fix them.

[Sysanalyst]

Must be possesed wiper month. I helped LincolnElite work on his Town Car. When I hooked up the battery cable, the wipers cycled three times before coming to a rest. The wiper spirits must be restless...;)