what's up with the wipers? they come on when they feel like it, wipe a few times and stop. my truck must really be alive or something.

 

You've probably got a faulty multi function switch or a bad connection at the multi switch. Ghost wipers were common complaints on mid-late '90s Explorers, Mountaineers, and Rangers, the fix was to replace the multi function switch.

Remove the upper and lower steering column shrouds and check the hard shell connector to be sure none of the retaining pins for any of the wires are broken.

 

Wipers would keep going after I turned them off or would start by themselves. Interior light would stay on well after I shut the door. Gauges went haywire sometimes.

 

Another thing that came to mind, with random electrical problems, you may have a water entry problem. If it's just one system, probably not, but several systems affected at once is usually either a ground problem or a module concern. Certain year Expeditions and Navigators have leaky windshields that rain down on the GEM/CJB assembly and cause all sorts of weird problems, random door ajar lights, interior lights coming on by themselves, guages acting strange.

 

My wipers were doing the same thing. I took it in at about 35,500 to get it done under warranty. They replaced the wiring harnesses in the steering column, and all has been well since. I'm at 82,000 now..... Hope this helps.