Phantom Wipers

[MZahn]

I went out to go to work this AM, hit the door unlock on the key fob and the wipers cycled once and stopped. I checked the wiper switch when I got in the truck and it was in the off position. WTF?

 

[rbattelle]

Strange symptoms like this are often attributed to some fault in the TIPM or front control module. Often, it seems symptoms get worse until the owner has no choice but to replace the TIPM.

For the most part, it's impossible to accurately or effectively diagnose a phantom issue like this. If I were you, I'd just sit tight and see what happens in the future.

Ryan

 

[MZahn]

Pulling the travel trailer from the hot desert up to a 9200 foot trout lake in 2 weeks. This worries me. 155,000 miles with only transmission troubles so far.

 

[BGlidewell]

Maybe you bumped the wiper before turning it off and they needed to park?

 

[MZahn]

I dought it, but I hope I did. This 1 week camping trip is getting real expensive before I even leave. I don't need electronic problems also. I haven't even changed the belt, hoses or idler pulley but I have them all with me.

I'd better print out the travel companion before I leave as well as do a couple of dry runs around town with the trailer in tow.

 

[BGlidewell]

Strange symptoms like this are often attributed to some fault in the TIPM or front control module. Often, it seems symptoms get worse until the owner has no choice but to replace the TIPM.



For the most part, it's impossible to accurately or effectively diagnose a phantom issue like this. If I were you, I'd just sit tight and see what happens in the future.



Ryan

isn't the TIPM 06+? with the IPM/FCM on the earlier trucks.

 

[04blackcherry]

My '04 has intermittent glitches. It seems that it's mostly when it's really wet out. The intermittent settings will default to full on (no intermittent) or off completely. I have wondered if it has something to do with the speed adjustment circuit (mine is supposed to adjust the intermittent when the vehicle is at a stop). Anyway, I think all these issues are controlled by a module and are not a multi-switch problem.

 

[rbattelle]

I'm pretty sure the TIPM was introduced in 2005.

Ryan

 

[brods]

Strange symptoms like this are often attributed to some fault in the TIPM or front control module. Often, it seems symptoms get worse until the owner has no choice but to replace the TIPM.



For the most part, it's impossible to accurately or effectively diagnose a phantom issue like this. If I were you, I'd just sit tight and see what happens in the future.



Ryan

X2 Unless there are other signs of a problem with the FCM or the instrument panel. My wipers have had odd issues for over two years now. No other systems appear to be affected. You may try cleaning the ground on the fender by the driver side battery. When I disconnect this ground with the truck off the wipers usually cycle once.





FWIW from the 05 service manual:

The multi-function switch provides hard wired resistor multiplexed inputs to the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) for all of the wiper and washer system functions. The EMIC then sends electronic messages to the Front Control Module (FCM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus requesting the appropriate wiper and washer system operating modes. Wiper and washer system operation are completely controlled by the instrument cluster and FCM logic circuits, and that logic will only allow these systems to operate when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions.