2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Bad Multi Function Switch?

[CStewart]

I tried doing a search but I didn't find anything specific to my problem. A couple of months back after the truck had sat for a while my headlights quit when I hit high beams. I worked the switch back and forth and they came back on. Now when I drove it I turned on the left turn signal and the wipers came on. In the process of trying to find the problem I found that the wipers will also run when the flashers are turned on. Is this a bad multi function switch or is something else going on? Thanks for the help!



Chris

 

[seafish]

Yup... more then likely it is the switch... they definitely have a tendency to go bad. There are several threads about it. Sometimes, IIRC, it is only grease and dirt fouling the contacts. Some people have had luck taking them apart and cleaning them and reinstalling them, although they are "only" an $80 part at the dealer. Here is a thread on how to modify the switch which contains good info on how more easily remove the switch from the column, although it is fpr a 3rd gen, so I am not quite sure if it pertains to your truck. Read post #7.

Here are some other links that might help--

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ssion-discussions/191582-head-lights-out.html


https://www.turbodieselregister.com...88-turn-signal-flashes-wrong-direction-2.html

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...193187-help-no-low-beam-front-headlights.html

Good Luck... let us know what happens.

 

[CStewart]

Well found out the expensive way it's not the switch. New switch does the same thing the old one was doin. Wipers go on when you hit the left turn signal or the emergency flashers. Checked the wiring on the lights and so far I haven't found anything. Back to the drawing board.....

 

[DieselDoghouse]

WOAH!! time OUT - you are describing the exact same symptoms I posted recently when THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SURN SIGNAL went bad. I finally found the problem just before I bought a new central timer unit!! Do me a favor and try this:

undo BOTH front and rear turn lamps from their sockets on the side (left you described) affecting the wipers.

Flip the directional - no wipers??

Great!! now, reinstall the bulbs onesy at a time until the problem returns.

At that last bulb - take a wire or clip lead from the ground at the center of the socket harness to a good body ground - did wipers stop??.

Problem found.

In my case I had nearly 1. 0 v offset voltage (the voltage difference from real ground compared to socket ground) This offset apparently kicks back to the logic trigger for the wiper delay and does naughty thangs. All my lamps now have 10ga ground at each socket.

At night I dream of winning the lottery, quitting my day job and teaching Dodge how to wire a danged ground circuit that will last 20 years!! Mine do (thanks Dad)!!

 

[Road Dog]

This recent thread describes a similar situation and resolution.

 

[fest3er]

... At night I dream of winning the lottery, quitting my day job and teaching Dodge how to wire a danged ground circuit that will last 20 years!! Mine do (thanks Dad)!!

It's a lost cause. Dad's '69 Polara wagon had a weird wiring problem from the day it was new. Key off and out, turn on the right turn signal, the wipers, and the four-way flashers (if it had them), then step on the brake. The wipers would move when the flasher/turn relay was closed. And stop when it opened. Parking the wipers didn't always work perfectly. Leave it to a teen/pre-teen (me) to discover such a 'feature'.