1997 FORD F-150 Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN A RAINSTORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RAIN STOPPED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REINSTALLED THE GEM MODULE, AS WELL AS INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH. THE WIPERS FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEM MODULE HE INSTALLED FROM FORD WAS DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. THE MECHANIC CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND DETERMINE IF THE AIR BAGS WORK. PRIOR TO THE GEM MODULE FAILURE, SEVERAL COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. AT 30,000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED DURING RAIN, MANAGED TO PULL OFF ROAD SAFELY. (OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED AS WELL) WIPERS NO LONGER WORK. VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL REPAIRED. FORD IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. SEE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-9-13 AND FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773 . *TR

1997 FORD F-150, WIPERS QUIT WHILE USING THEM IN RAIN, HEAD GASKET LEAKS OIL ON EXHAUST WHICH INTERN SMOKES AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE FIRE. *TR

I AM SENDING IN A FULL LETTER TO EXPLAIN THE "FAILURES". IT CENTERS AROUND TSB 99B29 AND LACK OF OWNER NOTIFICATION OF A BAD FRONT COVER DESIGN THAT CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH OCCURRED IN THIS CASE. ADDITIONALLY, I HAD A TIE ROD FAILURE THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT LATER BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, MY CRANK SHAFT PULLEY / DAMPENER ASSEMBLY FELL OFF WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING (70 MPH). THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING DOOR LOCK / KEY STICKING.*AK CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V196000 COMPONENT: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR. THE ENGINE COVER GASKET FAILED. *TC THE SERPENTINE FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD AN AKWARD SHIFT, THE WIPERS OPERATED PERIODICALLY BY THEMSELVES ON HIGH SPEED, THERE WAS LITTLE HEAT COMING FROM THE VENTS THROUGH THE FLOOR. *JB

WINSHIELD WIPERS RARELY WORK ON INTERMITTENT SETTING AND IF THEY DO THEY ARE NOT CONSISTANT IN TIMING. ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME THE WIPPERS WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. WASHERS WORK ONLY 20-25% OF THE TIME.*AK

FUEL LINE LEAK CAUSED GASOLINE TO SPILL ONTO THE PAVEMENT; A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. DEFECT WAS COVERED BY A SAFETY RECALL, BUT I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AND GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. HOW CAN A PART COVERED UNDER A RECALL FAIL AFTER I TOOK IT IN? FORD IS UNWILLING TO COVER ANY EXPENSES EXCEPT THE REPAIR COSTS, WHILE I INCURRED ADDTIONAL COSTS. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER QUIT WORKING. FORD IS UNWILLING TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS.*AK

I HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE DASH CAUSED BY MOISTER IN THE FUSE BOX , WHICH WAS CAUSED BY WATER LEAKING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS NOT TO CONCERNED UNTIL I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS 13 PAGES OF SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT MOISTURE GET INTO THE FUSE BOX. IT DOES THING AS WIPER NOT WORKING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BUT WILL WORK ANY OTHER TIME. RADIO NOT TURNING OFF, BLOWER MOTOR NOT SHUTTING OFF. TRYING TO ENGAGE THE STARTER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE BY THEMSELVES, AND THEN SQUIRT WATER ON WINDSHIELD. THIS WOULD CAUSE A VISIBILITY PROBLEM FOR DRIVER. ITS UNEXPECTED AND VERY DISTRACTING.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES WITHOUT TOUCHING CONTROLS, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEFECT OCCURS INTERMITTENLY. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK

WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, THEY WILL SHUT OFF WHEN IT IS RAINING . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT ($260.07 TO DEALER)DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM; RETURNED TO DEALER 12/9/99-RESPONSE; UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM-

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT ($260.07 TO DEALER)DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM; RETURNED TO DEALER 12/9/99-RESPONSE; UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM-

WINDSHIELD WIPER COMES ON BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON RANDOMLY AND HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT. ALSO, THE WIPER FLUID IS PROJECTED ONTO WINDSHIELD BY ITSELF. LATEST INCIDENT OF THIS SEVERELY AFFECTED BY VISION OF THE ROADWAY AND TRAFFIC DURING HEAVY RUSH HOUR INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE ON SOME OF THE INTERNET NEW GROUPS THIS IS A NOT UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD TRUCKS. *AK

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DON'T WORK,THEY LOCKUP AND SKID.WIPER ARMS AND WIPERS LIFT OFF WINDSHIELD AT 55 MPH. OR FASTER. *AK

GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHILE IT WAS RAINING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT WORK. THEN, ALL AT ONCE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO, WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE TRUCK HORN STARTED TO BLOW ON ITS ON. THEN, WHILE ON THE ROAD, HORN ONCE AGAIN STARTED TO BLOW ON ITS OWN. *AK

WHILE MAKING A TURN WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND WASHER FLUID SPRAYS ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD WHEN IT IS NOT RAINING. THIS IS UNSAFE ON A CURVY ROAD. ON A RAINING DAY AND MAKING A TURN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL STOP. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE SWITCH IS IN OFF POSITION. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM BECAUSE IN THE CASE OF MY FATHER'S RANGER, THE WASHER FLUID WOULD SPRAY UNEXPECTEDLY AS WELL, THEREBY SMEARING THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY. BOTH OUR TRUCKS WERE DIAGNOSED WITH FAULTY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES. A RECALL FOR THIS PART SHOULD BE ISSUED AS THERE IS A HIGH NUMBER OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE FOR VARIOUS FORD VEHICLES CONTAINING THE SAME PART. *AK

I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DEDUCTABLE TO HAVE THIS FIXED. IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK HALF THE TIME,AND WHEN THEY DO NOT WORK, THE WINDOWS WILL NOT ROLL DOWN SO THEREFORE I CAN NOT SEE WHEN IT RAINS. THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTABLE.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE 3 DEFECTS LISTED.....FIRST, THE POWERTRAIN, WHEN FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE IS ENGAGED AT A STOP AND AN ENGAGEMENT TIME OF AT LEAST 30SEC. TO 1MIN. IS GIVEN, WHEN I RELEASE MY BRAKE TO PROCEED THE POWERTRAIN MAKES A LOUD THUMP, THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 75% OF THE TIME....SECOND THE WASHER SPRAYERS ON THE HOOD DO NOT SPRAY THE WINDSHEILD. ONE SPRAYS WAY OFF AND THE OTHER SPRAYS NOTHING. AND THIRD THE HIGH BEAM LOW BEAM SWITCH IS DEFECTED. WHEN ENGAGED IN HIGH BEAM AND DRIVING A SHORT ACCURES AND THE LIGHTS WILL FLICKER FROM HIGH TO LOW AND COMPLETELY OFF WITH NO HEAD LIGHTS AT ALL......IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE DEFECTS PLEASE CONTACT SHANE E. MASS AT MY HOME NUMBER ((712)-322-5233) .... THANK YOU.

MY INSTRUMENTAL PANEL JUST STOP WORKING. NO GAS GUAGE, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, OIL PRESSURE, TEMP GAUGE, CHARGE GAUGE, ETC. CHECKED FUSE BUT OK. BUT LIKE NO POWER DEALER KNOWS OF NO SUCH DEFECT. ALSO WIPERS COME ON AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES WITHOUT ACTIVATION BY DRIVER . BEAT SEVERAL TIMES AT VERY HIGH SPEED THEN STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS

WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNS ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. YH

WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNS ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. YH

WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNS ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. YH

WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER WOULD OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN OFF MODE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE COLLISION . NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COMMENCE OPERATING WITHOUT ANY ACTION BY THE DRIVER. *YC

I RECENTLY SAW WERE THE NHTSA WAS LOOKING AT FORD'S WINDSHEILD WIPER CONTROL AS A POSSIBLE PROBLEM FOR THE EXPLORER & ANOTHER VEHICLE. I CAN VOUCH THAT THE F150 ALSO NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. MY 1997 F150'S TURN SIGNAL/WINDSHEILD WIPER CONTROL WILL COME ON AT ANY TIME & AFTER USING IT WILL STAY ON.

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM WOULD NOT RETAIN BLADE. YH

THE WINSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN OFF. ALSO, THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (I HAVE A WITNESS), THE WASHER WAS ALSO CONTINOUSLY SPRAYING FLUID EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING WAS OFF.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS - INTERMITTENT WIPERS ERRATIC OR NOT ACTIVE. UNABLE TO USE WASHER FLUID. REPLACEMENT PART HAS SAME PROBLEM AS ORGINAL EQUIPMENT.

WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SWITCH DOES NOT WORK. DEALER TRIED TO FIX IT, AND NO THERE WAS NO SOLUTION. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS COMES ON BY THEMSELVES. MANUFACTURER/ DEALER STATED NOT COMMON TO HAVE A SHORT IN SYSTEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WIPERS TO OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, PROBLEM WITH THE OIL STICK. IT SEEMS TO BE CRACKING OR FALLING APART, WHICH MAY CAUSE BY SOME TYPE OF METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE OIL STICK. CAUSES UNKNOWN. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID PUMP WILL ENGAGE WITHOUT NOTICE,BLOCKING DRIVERS VIEW.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED,TURN SIGNAL AND WIPER ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT COST TO ORIGINAL OWNER.

WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS LOSE CONTACT WITH WINDSHIELD, CAUSING REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD MAKES A NOISE LIKE IT'S GOING TO EXPLODE AND THEN IT CRACKS, ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS LIFT OFF OF THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 55MPH OR GREATER. *AK

IN WEATHER TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS' RUBBER BLADES DO NOT TOUCH WINDSHEILD, CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER JET DOES NOT REACH THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE 40MPH. HAD JET REPLACED AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. *AK *JB

VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY WHILE IN PARK ON SLIGHT INCLINE; ALSO VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS SKIP CYCLES WHILE ON DELAY. *AK