2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Intermitent wipers are--intermitent, what is the cause?

[fox]

Recently my 1998 12 valve has been intermittently working the wipers. Is this the multifunction switch?

 

[BarryG]

While I cant remember for sure I know my wipers would work intermittently when I wanted them too but cant remember if they would come on by themselves for a bit. In any case there was a ground on the engine side of the firewall drivers side between the brake booster and the valve cover that had one 14 gauge black wire going to it. I had piggybacked another ground wire there for an accessory I had added. When they finally quit working altogether while trying to figure out what was going on with my wipers I had inadvertently brushed up against that screw (I had no idea it was the ground for the wipers) and my wipers started working. Turned out it was just loose. Tightened it up and no problems for 7+ years now. Might be worth checking. This was on my 01 so no idea if the same ground exists or not on your 98.

 

[fox]

Ok, I will go look for it.
I can hear a click when I turn on the wipers to intermittent but they don't move.
They only work on full time slow and high speed.
Although yesterday, I was driving in the rain, had them set to slow/intermittent speed and once they took off and worked. Just that one time! Like it is possessed!!!
It will not go to park position either unless I time the turning off of it.

 

[fox]

Still need advice.

 

[fest3er]

Things involved with the wipers:

• Fuses #6 and #11 and the wiper relay in the PDC under the hood
• Integrated electronic module
• Central timer module
• Wiper motor
• Wiring harnesses

The wiper motor has internal contacts that keep the motor running after it's turned off until it reaches the park position.

The intermittent positions 'set' a resistance that the central timer module (CTM) reads to determine how often the wipers should cycle. When it's time for a cycle, the CTM triggers the wiper relay in the PDC long enough for the internal contacts to 'make' and keep the motor running through a single cycle.

Failing to park sure sounds like your motor's innards are failing.

Intermittent intermittent operation could involve the wiper relay or it could be a sign the multi-function switch is failing. (My '98 now operates the longest delay position as one of the shortest delays: the resistance has changed somehow.)