The Wacky Wipers are back

[Motorhead350]

I cleaned out the wiper bay to fix the wipers, but the problem still exists. It's not as bad, but the wipers still turn on at random when they are powered up.

Do you guys have any suggestons?

Should I change the wiper motor now? Will that help? :confused:

[ctrlraven]

You need to replace the wiper motor control module. Cheapest way to do that is buy a new motor from AutoZone, take the new WMCM and put it on the stock Ford motor and see if that works. If it doesn't then try the new WMCM on the new wiper motor.

AutoZone P/N: 71500

Parts Perfect New / Wiper Motor

$79.99

[Richy04]

Cleaning just the lower chute will not fix the problem, you have to remove the board from the bottom of the motor and clean it and then reseal it. Just cleaning the chute is not a solution. I spelled it all out for you, the fix is quite easy and if it doesnt work, you can then replace the motor or board rather easily from there.

If you keep your chute clean, you should never run into this again. :D:D

[ctrlraven]

Yep cleaning the chute only keeps the problem from happening again. I went out for about a year with wacky wipers. Tried a new MF switch, new motor and all. Then after reading a thread about cleaning the wiper motor control modules I tried just switching it over to the old motor and tada problem fixed.

[Motorhead350]

Cool. Looks like I will have to try this all over again, but that's alright.

[SC Cheesehead]

Cleaning just the lower chute will not fix the problem, you have to remove the board from the bottom of the motor and clean it and then reseal it. Just cleaning the chute is not a solution. I spelled it all out for you, the fix is quite easy and if it doesnt work, you can then replace the motor or board rather easily from there.

If you keep your chute clean, you should never run into this again. :D:D


Yep cleaning the chute only keeps the problem from happening again. I went out for about a year with wacky wipers. Tried a new MF switch, new motor and all. Then after reading a thread about cleaning the wiper motor control modules I tried just switching it over to the old motor and tada problem fixed.


Cool. Looks like I will have to try this all over again, but that's alright.

Dom,

I agree with Richy and Raven's comments, the WMCM is the problem. If cleaning doesn't work, replace the module and you're good to go.

I ended up replacing the complete motor assembly in the Bluesmobile as the motor crapped out with the wipers frozen in the full "up" position. Take it from me, you don't really want to have this happen as the wiper arms are a son-of-a-gun to get off in this position. :shake:

[Motorhead350]

Dom,

I agree with Richy and Raven's comments, the WMCM is the problem. If cleaning doesn't work, replace the module and you're good to go.

I ended up replacing the complete motor assembly in the Bluesmobile as the motor crapped out with the wipers frozen in the full "up" position. Take it from me, you don't really want to have this happen as the wiper arms are a son-of-a-gun to get off in this position. :shake:

Mine were stuck in the up position at one point, but I toyed with it and got them back down. I think I have one more cleaning to do an we will see what happens.

[ctrlraven]

Just clean out the chute real well, make the drain holes bigger with a oversized drill bit. You can try cleaning the WMCM but that type of thing you have to catch when it happens I would guess.

I'm just glad I didn't buy a LCM cause it would of been a waste of money and time.

[SC Cheesehead]

Just clean out the chute real well, make the drain holes bigger with a oversized drill bit. You can try cleaning the WMCM but that type of thing you have to catch when it happens I would guess.

I'm just glad I didn't buy a LCM cause it would of been a waste of money and time.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

I believe there's an interface between the WMCM and the LCM, but it relates to auto-on for the headlights when the wipers are on. I had LCM and WMCM problems almost simultaneously, but don't know if they were coincidental or related.

I ended up replacing a relay in the LCM, and installed a new wiper motor assembly (incl, the WMCM), and now everything is back to normal.

[ctrlraven]

I had one issue with my auto-on HL and that was just before the wipers took the dump. It probably grounds out and sent bad feedback loop to the LCM.

[SC Cheesehead]

I had one issue with my auto-on HL and that was just before the wipers took the dump. It probably grounds out and sent bad feedback lopp to the LCM.

That sounds right.

Hmmmm, I wonder if that may be the basic cause of the LCM relay problems?

[ctrlraven]

That could very well be the problem if the WMCM is connected to that relay and the module shorts out, even basic electronic knowledge would tell you grounding out or something shorting out it will cause some other part down the line to fail. Maybe that's why Ford has that relay there because of the known issue with the chute getting clogged up and leaving the WMCM to be underwater. I'm sure it would of worked while under water but that would cause a short, thus making the WMCM go bad and if it was partial shorting over a period of time it will cause that relay to wear down enough for replacement.

[Motorhead350]

Looks like I need to replace the motor. Oh well. I tried and now I know how to do it the right way.

Thanks everyone!

[Richy04]

The LCM is a totally different problem, if at any point resistance is high at any connector (ie. headlamp connectors) the relay for that particular item in the LCM can or will fail. The LCM has relays and electronic controls for several different functions including the overhead lamp fade, the wiper control function etc.

If the wiper control module (located at the motor) gets soaked, the wipers will come on, not work, or stay on depending on where the water attacks the board.

When you command the wipers on, the WCM will send a signal to the LCM to put the lights on. If the motor is wet and the water gets to the board where this function is controlled, the wipers will stay on and/or command the lights on.

When water attacks the board, the wipers may:
A: Not come on
B: Stay on
C: Speed function or control may not be available.

LCM failures IMHO are due to:
A: faulty relays
B: high resistance at a connector (as mentioned) causing a heat related failure of a relay.
C: A cold solder joint on the LCM PC board (due to high heat lifting a trace or heat related desoldering of relay base connections.

There isnt much magic to this stuff, but if you clean the WCM PC board well enough, you may be able to salvage a WCM.

BTW, the kit on ebay for the LCM's simply replaces and relocates a heavy duty relay outside the LCM to reduce the risk of failure again. I would also check all high amp circuits to an LCM for dirty connections to prevent future failures or as basic preventative maint to prevent such failures from occuring.

The PC board in a WCM is coated with silicone, this is great in that it protects the board during normal water exposure, but unfortunately if the motor is dunked in water constantly (clogged chute) the water will eventually make its way thru the WCM gasket and the top of the motor shaft and lay on the WCM board. The silicone will eventually allow water to contact the board and cause the above mentioned WCM issues, removing the WCM, cleaning all of the old silicone off of the board, rubbing the traces down with alcohol and replacing the silicone may save most of the boards.

Cleaning the chute is only part of the fix as the horse was already let out of the barn. You have to thoroughly clean the WCM and carefully reseal the board to make an attempt at this repair.

Regards.. Richy

[SC Cheesehead]

Good stuff, Richy! :up:

Thanks for the clarifications.

[ctrlraven]

Looks like I need to replace the motor. Oh well. I tried and now I know how to do it the right way.

Thanks everyone!

Get the AutoZone one, it's cheaper than a Ford reman unit plus no core charge. Take the new WCM and put it on the Ford stock motor and try that. Problem should be fixed.

When I put on the new wiper motor with the new WCM I did not have delayed wipers and they would not return to resting position, only after putting the new WCM on the stock wiper motor everything went back to normal.

Beats me on that but it worked and saved $25-35.

[Motorhead350]

I was thinking of buying though Ford. I can be cheap with stuff, but safety like brakes and wiper motors sound like somethings you do not want to mess with. If you have had noting, but a positive experience with what you have let me know. I might just go to Autozone instead.

[ctrlraven]

Just remember what kind of safety Ford had in mind when they put the wiper motor where it is and never expected it to go swimming in the cowl lol.

Whatever makes you feel better go with, all you need is the WCM but it only comes on the motor itself.

[Richy04]

If you look at my original article on this, you will see I mentioned the careful relationship of the magnet/metal cylinder (pressed into the plastic drive wheel) and sensor. If you re-silicone the board, be careful to just have a thin coat of silicone over the sensor (just enough to seal it) on the board, dont goop it on as it will cause the magnet/metal cylinder to pass over the sensor and not be picked up. As this drive wheel spins, the sensor comes around and is spotted by the sensor. If there is a voltage signal going to the WCM, it will disregard the pulse from the sensor (for the purposes of parking the wipers). Once the voltage drops (wipers commanded off) the WCM will watch the sensor for the pulse and park the wipers. This sensor is also used to make sure the wipers lower down to the cowl when using them in intermittent (wiper delay) mode. When the sensor isnt seen (from moisture, WCM failure,etc.) They will keep going.

[Motorhead350]

If you look at my original article on this, you will see I mentioned the careful relationship of the magnet/metal cylinder (pressed into the plastic drive wheel) and sensor. If you re-silicone the board, be careful to just have a thin coat of silicone over the sensor (just enough to seal it) on the board, dont goop it on as it will cause the magnet/metal cylinder to pass over the sensor and not be picked up. As this drive wheel spins, the sensor comes around and is spotted by the sensor. If there is a voltage signal going to the WCM, it will disregard the pulse from the sensor (for the purposes of parking the wipers). Once the voltage drops (wipers commanded off) the WCM will watch the sensor for the pulse and park the wipers. This sensor is also used to make sure the wipers lower down to the cowl when using them in intermittent (wiper delay) mode. When the sensor isnt seen (from moisture, WCM failure,etc.) They will keep going.


Geeze how do yo know all of this?

Did you design it or something?

[Georges93LX]

Geeze how do yo know all of this?

Magic and mirrors. Buy a motor.