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Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

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26ftcobraBBF

Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

The Cobra has non-delay wipers, and would love to somehow give them a delay function. Is that possible, the switch is on the dash, night time pouring rain, can't see, don't want to take my eyes off the road, and I've got little feeling in my fingers on my left hand from a work place injury, so I can't feel for it either.

Mike
'85 Ford Cobra Econoline E350 7.5L carbureted thing of beauty

Rusty_S85

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

You will need a delay wiper switch and the Wiper Governor as ford called them for a period which is the delay module. Bolt the delay module behind your dash, plug the module into your wiper switch and plug the other connector into your OE wiper harness and you are done.

I did this mod on my truck long ago and glad I did. Just have to hit up ebay for the delay module as I dont know of any place selling new ones.

"Old Blue" - '56 Fairlane Town Sedan - 292-4V, Ford-O-Matic transmission, 3.22:1
'63 Belair 2dr sdn - 283-4V, Powerglide transmission, 4.56:1
'78 Cougar XR7 - 351-2V, FMX transmission, 2.75:1 9inch
"Bruno" - '82 F150 Flareside - 302-2V, C6 transmission, 2.75:1 9inch, 31x10.50-15 BFG KO2

Rembrant

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

In reply to this post by 26ftcobraBBF

This is one of those plug-N-play modifications that makes these old trucks so nice. Gary even has a page with info right here on the Garagemahal:

http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/windshield-wipers.html

There are lots of them used on Ebay if you go looking:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/87-91-Ford-Truck-F150-F350-F250-Bronco-Wiper-DELAY-Switch-Module-Assembly/114443732261?fits=Year%3A1990%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item1aa560c525:g:YQ4AAOSwMXxfeI96

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Pickup-Truck-F150-F350-F250-Bronco-Delay-Wiper-Switch-Module-Assembly/254799624183?fits=Year%3A1990%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item3b533db7f7:g:k3AAAOSwEzxYbcO6

And I just read the other day that JBG is actually selling new units...

https://shop.broncograveyard.com/1980-91-Wiper-Delay-Box/productinfo/35215/

So, for the price of new vs Ebay used, I'd say that new is the way to go. If you don't mind scrounging around your local junkyard, you might get one much cheaper. I paid $15 for mine.

Happy hunting.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

Rembrant

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Oh...wait a second...my apologies I thought you were asking about a truck. You're asking about an E-series.

Gary might be able to check/confirm if the E-series and F-series used the same wiper modules/switches.

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

This post was updated on .

I'm pretty sure they are ALL the same, cars, trucks and vans.

I need to point out that Rusty didn't mention there is a black wire that MUST be grounded for the intermittent wiper switch to work.

ETA: Pretty sure I'd be willing to scrounge a Bronco with a wiper knob that turns left for $15 rather than pay JBG $150 for a module and switch.

Gary should show how to open up the box and resolder the heatsink.
That's usually what goes wrong with the modules, and it's a 5 minute fix.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Unfortunately, Cory is right - the vans use different switches and governors than the trucks. See below. The UZ on the governor means it was made for the vans, but the AZ on the switch means it was made for the full-sized Ford cars. IOW you can get the switch from a Ford car, and I can determine which ones if you want. But for some reason that governor isn't the right one.

As for repairing the delay module, that info is on the page at Documentation/Electrical/Windshield Wipers.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

I look at the chart and the first thing I see is "f-u"
The E vans would of course have a different bracket because the dash is not like a Bronco or truck.
We don't want the bracket at all.
And your schematic seems the same as in a truck.
If the plugs are different, were screwed, but if it's only the wire length (because, different dash) it's fine.

I must not know how to interpret these books.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Gary Lewis

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

Right above the start of the 80/86 F-U are two rows of 80/ E 100/350. And they take a D3AZ switch. I'll be back in a bit to tell what vehicles that fits ....

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gary Lewis

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

And, the answer is:

73/78 A - - w/intermittent wipers D3AZ 17A553-D *SW-1155-A

So the switch can come from a full-sized Ford from 1973 to 1978. But for whatever reason the governor from that car won't work, or maybe won't fit, in the van in spite of the connectors obviously being the same?

I think I'd buy the governor as well if I found the switch in a car and see if it won't fit. But the best bet is to find the whole thing in a van.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

Throw the bracket away and wrap the governor in foam rubber -if you want it to last- anyhow...
If the plug is the same and the circuit is the same it doesn't matter what it's supposed to fit.

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

Rusty_S85

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk

ArdWrknTrk wrote

I'm pretty sure they are ALL the same, cars, trucks and vans.

I need to point out that Rusty didn't mention there is a black wire that MUST be grounded for the intermittent wiper switch to work.

ETA: Pretty sure I'd be willing to scrounge a Bronco with a wiper knob that turns left for $15 rather than pay JBG $150 for a module and switch.

Gary should show how to open up the box and resolder the heatsink.
That's usually what goes wrong with the modules, and it's a 5 minute fix.

Correct it needs to be grounded if you mount it in the OE location there is a hole in the metal dash support that is grounded that you attach the wire to. At least that is where I attached mine to.

For the module itself trucks and vans I have always seen the same the only time I ever saw a difference was with the heavy duty trucks like the F700s for example.

85lebaront2

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

The difference between a car wiper system and truck/van is probably due to most cars having retracted park wipers. The retracted park systems requires the motor to reverse direction to park the wipers below the base of the windshield. The motor reversing causes the crank arm to hit a stop on the exterior of the gearbox forcing the crank to stop and the eccentric in the motor end to rotate 180° and move the wipers further down. This is also the reason the first stroke on these is frequently a bit short and the wipers will pause at the bottom when turned off, then retract as the motor reverses.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

ArdWrknTrk

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

Bill,
Gary is showing that an '80's van used the same switch as a mid '70's full size car.

Was an '85 Econoline equipped with hidden wipers?

Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.

26ftcobraBBF

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Check this off the list, it was super easy found a '91 E-250 at the wrecking ward it's switch with delay module attached. Unplugged my switch, plugged in the one from the wrecking yard, stuffed the dangling delay module in the dash and screwed it back together. Easiest upgrade so far.
Even peeled the little tag off the trim that indicates mode, and glued it on my trim.
Thanks fellas for the advise.

Mike
'85 Ford Cobra Econoline E350 7.5L carbureted thing of beauty

Gary Lewis

Re: Wipers, non-intermittent to intermittent?

Administrator

Glad it worked for you. The only suggestion I have beyond what you've done regards the delay module. Those are slightly delicate and shouldn't be knocked around. However, if by "dangling" you mean that you dangled it via a zip tie, then well done!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile