Hi all,
'98 F150, 4x4, XLT, SCAB, 4.6. Had a problem last year with the washer not working. Dealer replaced the MFS. Everything was fine til about a week ago, now I have no delay wipers. No other problems at all.....no phantom wipers, washer still works, etc.
I took the switch apart, cleaned it out, and put dielectic in it. Still no delays.
Before it goes back to the dealer and they ask for my left arm as payment(they already took the right), I wasa wondering if anyone had any ideas.
Thanx in advance

 

the delay wipers are on a seperate relay under the hood in the central junction box ive seen those go out an an explorer and cause your same consern. the scary part is that the wipers run through the gem module and is always a possability but we wont go there yet.

 

Can Autozone or the dealer test a relay like that?? I hope I don't hafta start throwing parts at it til I find the problem...UGGGGGGGGGGGGG

And can the GEM module be checked for a code or something? Or is it a trial and error thing?

One scary thing.....When I got in my truck yesterday after work, the delays worked for a few minutes......this is gonna be one of those deals where they work when at the dealers.....and stop as soon as I leave.

Thanks Mr_Bentwrench

 

I guess I can try swapping with another relay in the box.

 

I swapped the #3 & #4 relays this morning....the delay wipers worked for about 10 minutes.....I shut them off and back on again....and nothing......any ideas???

 

just for kicks i decided to try something today. when i got home i tried the wipers with the key in "acc" position....they worked. also tried them with key in the "on" position....they worked. so the delay wipers only fail to work with the truck running.

i guess i can shut off the truck & coast when it starts raining....

 

hmmm thats interesting. the gem basically controls the wipers among lots of other things. is there any othere weird things happening? i've seen gems that never seem to think they are in run becuase they fail to get the ignition switch signal. are you experiencing anything like radio stays on after you remove key or anything?

the gem can be scanned with a scan tool and there is even a wiper self test that can be done with a scan tool. if you get it scanned and there is more than 5 codes in gem it is ussually bad gem get water leak above gem fixed time.

just for kicks push on every fuse and relay and wiggle alittle i call it the magic touch you wouldnt beleive how many times a loose fuse caused some weird problems.

 

Went out & checked them this morning.....they worked again.....now it seems like maybe they work when the truck is running....but only when cold.

I will try it again today and see if it quits after it heats up again. I will try the magic touch theory too.


thanks for the input