Wiper issues on '79 Wagoneer

[Hobart]

Hi everyone. I'll start by admitting that I haven't run thru the diagnostic table in the TSM. I have searched the FSJN forums and elsewhere, though. I figured I would ask before I go down the rabbit hole, just in case someone has dealt with this issue before.

I have factory intermittent wipers on my '79 Wagoneer. I think the switch feels a little sloppy, but I have not felt a known good switch to see if there's a difference or not. When I try to turn on my wipers, it is always a crap-shoot: They may work as intermittent, they may work on slow, or they may work on high. They will not do all three functions via the switch as they are supposed to, it's pretty much if I need the wipers I turn them on and see which position they will operate in and feel lucky that they are operating at all. The other thing I can add is that the washer functions and does activate the wipers when I wash the windshield.

Does anyone have any idea if this would be the module or the switch? Or should I just knuckle-down and run thru the TSM diagnostics?

Thanks in advance for any advice, and Happy Thanksgiving to all!

[78 WIDETRAC]

I have had intermittent on a couple of pre 86 wag/ cherokee's The intermittent feature has never worked properly, The slow and fast seemed ok. I was told to get another module. FSJ modules can be hard to locate, However word on the street is that some 70's or 80's fords used the same part.

As far as feeling sloppy. It probably is. It's a 40 year old part. If it's original.

[Hobart]

I have had intermittent on a couple of pre 86 wag/ cherokee's The intermittent feature has never worked properly, The slow and fast seemed ok. I was told to get another module. FSJ modules can be hard to locate, However word on the street is that some 70's or 80's fords used the same part.

As far as feeling sloppy. It probably is. It's a 40 year old part. If it's original.

Thanks WIDETRAC

[SJTD]

I think you can remove the timer and plug the cable into the switch to check just the switch. But it's been so long since I've used mine I don't remember how they worked as far as switch positions are concerned.

[Hobart]

I think you can remove the timer and plug the cable into the switch to check just the switch. But it's been so long since I've used mine I don't remember how they worked as far as switch positions are concerned.

Thanks SJTD!

[seventynine]

On my '79 Wag I was always having problems with the wipers. What I found is the harness plug that goes into the back of the dash switch gets corroded. Sometimes I could just reach under and pull it tighter and I'd be fine. I would also disconnect it periodically and spray the plug contacts with WD or PB Blaster. That always worked...for a while...

[Hobart]

On my '79 Wag I was always having problems with the wipers. What I found is the harness plug that goes into the back of the dash switch gets corroded. Sometimes I could just reach under and pull it tighter and I'd be fine. I would also disconnect it periodically and spray the plug contacts with WD or PB Blaster. That always worked...for a while...

Thanks Dean!
I still haven't gotten after it, I have a lot of stuff going on right now and still working full-time (essential), and now the holidays...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Bill

[1978J10REDWHITE]

That’s what I suggest also remove the thing, clean shot WD40, then let it hang loose and plug it in below dash if you can, and try it out. Go the all the modes.
Sometimes these shaft mechanisms are loose-sloppy, Just loose and needs TLC-Tighten up a little more snug to make all contact points touch firmly.
41 years it’s time for its first bath!

[tgreese]

Contact cleaner will work better than WD-40. DeOxit is very good, or any of the other brands will work much better than penetrating oil or whatever. There is also tuner cleaner which is an oxide remover than leaves behind a light film of oil.

[Hobart]

Thanks guys. I still haven't had time to get under there, too much going on.

Merry Christmas!

Bill

[1978J10REDWHITE]

eOxit definitely is the better chemical use on electrical things, WD40 type sprays, which does leave residues.
WD40 can be an initial usage in a pinch yet it needs a flushing out.

[Hobart]

Thanks for the DeOxit tip - I'd never heard of it before, and it sounds like it is mandatory to have the D5 & F5 on the shelf.

[letank]

I reread your post... and remembered that those plastic knobs starts to break after many years, same for the fresh air vent. It happened on the 74, the knob starts to rotate around the hexagonal control shaft. I was lucky to find a wiper knob off a 60's or very early 70's model which is metal and secured by a set screw.

The release is a bit tricky... there is a clip around the control shaft and the back of the knob

[Hobart]

Thanks Michel! Merry Christmas!

[letank]

Thank you, Merry Christmas Hobart,
you can download the 79 TSM from oljeep site
https://oljeep.com/gw/79_tsm/79_Jeep_TSM.pdf

the cj heater control knob has a similar clip as the wiper knob, see pict on Page 805 of 1037, this is section 3D-4, the wiper knob removal for the wag is on page 955 of 1037, section 3T-14, no pict. You can use the search command in adobe command F to get to the pages

Not to much to do, too cold, but plenty of adult beverages