Man, this is the worst setup i ever had, the wipers do two wipes before the wash comes out, and even then u gotta be stopped to be useful, traveling down the road at about 40mph it only makes it up half way. I would rather if the wash came out before the wipers even moved. Just a terrible design. Thinkin i should have waited for the second model year with all the idiotic things put in or left out of this truck.

 

SELL IT!!

 

Aren't we picky? Just kidding!

I thought I was the only one that complained about things like that.

 

You have got to be kidding me. Complaining about windshield washers not spraying high enough and making too many dry swipes. Grow up man.

 

The washer system design is carryover from the '97 - '03 model. Uses the same pump, slightly modified bottle, different routing of the hoses and different nozzles (for different aim, spray pattern, but same company). You might either have a defective pump or the check valve (not sure where it is at - thought they are part of the nozzle assembly) in the system is not working. Buying an '05 wouldn't help you out.

You definitely have a problem if the delay is that severe. For everybody's info, NHTS considers this a major safety issue and can be a direct action for a recall. GM is having 600K+ SUV's recalled as we speak because their wiper system is shorting out. Although the accident per # of vehicles is very low compared to other issues, it is a major safety issue.

Other possibilities although low, is a pinched or kinked hose somewhere, blockage at the pump inlet or improper electrical connection to the pump.

 

If these nozzles are the same type as ones I've seen in the past, you can adjust them UP so the spray is higher. It takes a very small pointed object to insert into the nozzle to make the adjustment. I know I would be extremely annoyed if my washer wouldn't throw fluid up high enough on the windshield at highway speeds. Especailly in winter. For those of you that don't have to deal with salt spray on your windshield in winter, maybe you should come out here and see how it is before complaining about someone complaining. Your windshield turns practically white and with a bright, low-hanging winter sun in the sky, it makes it impossible to see, which of course is a true safety hazard on a busy highway. Try to adjut the nozzles...see if that helps. Won't help on the delay though (while the salt spray and sand they put on the road is ground into your windshield for 2 swipes )

I should add - I don't have my '04 F-150 yet, so I haven't had the chance to try out the wipers to see what all the fuss is about.

 

My wipers make one upward stroke before the fluid starts coming out, had to test it to see because it never really seemed out of the ordinary to me and still doesn't. I would have to agree with the other gentleman who suggested pinched line or defective pump. Of course I am sure you checked the obvious that the reservoir is full.


Sometimes it seems as though it takes alot of fluid to cover the windshield at road speeds, but I figure that is due to the bug shield I put on changing the aero dynamics of the truck causing that.

 

Personally I tilt them up to **** off the tailgaters lol........ but I have noticed the "delay" inbetween the start of the wipers and the fluid being sprayed.

 

I use my washer button to clear the mist off my windshield. My other cars/trucks have a "mist" function to get a single swip without engaging the interval wiper. My guess is that Ford decided to add a delay to the washer button so you don't have to click the interval on then back off to get a single cycle.
If we are getting picky, this would be my complaint, WHY NOT OFFER COLOR CODED DOOR HANDLES!