I've got a '98 F-150 5.4 and the windshield wipers seem to be possessed. They just come on randomly on their own. It doesn't happen all the time, and I can't seem to figure out what is trigering it, then they just shut off and don't do it again for a couple of weeks... anybody else have this problem?

 

VERY VERY VERY VERY common problem. Do a search for 'phantom wipe' and I think you'll see several hits.

No known quick fix outside of replacing the entire stalk.

My 01 does it... that's on my list of items to take care of on warranty.

RP

 

thanks... good to know that i'm not alone... if it's that common is there a recall on it that anyone knows of?

 

I would hope there is a recall on it b/c mine did it on my 99 and my dads on his 97 did it. I think the only f-150 that I havent seen do it is my bros 98.

 

There **MIGHT** be a TSB out there for it but, to my knowledge, no recall.

 

I just had my truck in for a new master cylinder and while the dealer had it, they discovered that the multi-function switch in my truck is faulty. It controls the windshield wiper blade speed and the washer fluid. I'm willing to bet that the multi-function switch is a problem in many of these trucks, especially after reading many posts about ghost wiper blades, etc. It is a pain to replace, you need to remove the steering wheel, etc. to get to it, but I would bet that is your problem. Just thought I would share the info. Good luck.

 

The steering wheel has to be removed? I thought they'd just be able to remove the column cover and do it from there. Sure, not easy but, removing the steering wheel? OUCH!

RP

 

I'm pretty sure you have to remove steering wheel to remove the column cover. It's actually an easy job to remove it (steering wheel).

 

Yeah, unfortunately you do have to remove the steering wheel to do it. At first I thought the dealership was just saying that to justyify the ridiculous amount of money they wanted to replace it, but I looked at a repair manual and sure enough, step one is to remove the steering wheel.

I can't belive that even with the number of faulty switches, Ford has issued no recall on them. I don't get it.

 

I've got a '98 F-150, but they don't come on by themself, they just change speed, sporadically, when on. Maybe mine is in the infant stage of screwing up!

 

I think you're right. They're on the verge. Mine have been doing that alot lately but, I do have a service trip planned in the next couple of weeks where I plan to get that, along with a couple of 'nit-pickey' things, taken care of.

RP

 

I fixed the phantom windshield wipers myself. It turns out all you need to do is clean the switch up.
To clean the switch does NOT require removing the turn signal from the steering column and takes about ten minutes.

1. On the turn signal lever, remove the end cap with a small screwdriver.

2. Remove the phillips screw located under the end cap.

3. WATCH IT! there is a spring to push back against the wiper rotating ****. Hold in the wiper switch so it won't go flying.

4. WATCH IT! again. When removing the wiper rotating switch there are two detents that are pressed against the inside of the **** (with another small spring pushing against each other) to give detents to the different levels of wiper delay when you rotate the ****.

5. Inside you will see the switch wiper mounted to a white plastic piece that you can just pull out. It looks kind of weird with 4 arms and an elbow wiper coming out of it.

6. After you pull out the switch wiper just gently clean everything inside, a sort of circuit board looking goodie with rings for the switch wiper to rotate on.

I used a rag and a small (jewelers) screwdriver to clean the board inside and very carefully made sure the gaps between the traces were clean. There is quite a bit of grease in there.

I reassembled the switch using lubriplate (it was handy) and it was very easy to disassemble and to reassemble.

I have had no re-occurrence of the phantom windshield wiper and I don't miss it a bit.
Hope this helps!