Ford Windstar wipers

[Gbro]

We just bought a 97 or 98? Windstar (private sale).
97 is door post sticker(Feb 1997) and title says 1998. Vin matches I am confused.

The wipers are bonkers, one day they work & the next day you might get a half a swing and there they are in the middle of the windshield.
I have tried grounding the motor unit with a probe and no results.
I am leaning towards the switch.
They run smooth as can be when they decide to.

[Gary T]

If the 10th character of the VIN is V, it's a 1997. If the 10th character is W, it's a 1998.

Sounds like a poor electrical connection, which could occur anywhere in the system - switch, motor, relay, GEM, wiring connectors, etc. If it always stops in midswing, I'd say the motor is the prime suspect, but it will take some testing to be sure.

[Rick]

Some car makers sometimes have early intros. Technically any car built after 1/97 could be labeled a 1998. I am guessing that Ford had an early intro for the Windstar that year.
About the wipers.
First off some wipers have a nut that holds the wipers to the shaft. Look at the end of the wiper arm where it connects to the car. If there is a little cover there, lift it up and see if there is a nut underneath. Those nuts do work loose, and the wipers won't work.
If however there is no nut, or it is tight, I would lean more toward a motor than a switch.
Wiper motors have several sets of moving contacts that can get dirty and cause poor operation.
Without being there with a wiring diagram, and a voltmeter, it is very hard to say for sure.
One thing that is certain. If you think it is the switch and replace it, it will be the motor. If you decide to replace the motor it will be the switch. It's that bastard Murphy.

[jasonh300]

When the wipers stop mid stroke, do other accessories not work, such as the radio? (If you don't use your radio, you might not notice this). Jiggle the ignition key around and see if it starts working again.

When I was a kid, we had a Honda with a bad ignition switch and it would do these things from time to time.

[Gbro]

Thanks Guys, the 10th is a "W". Now that being established, when ordering parts i need to know that it is a 1997 vehicle(manufacture). Am i correct?
I had the struts, coil springs, and torsion bar replaced and they used 97 when ordering parts.(I new it needed work when I bought it).and trany filter changed.

One more thing to add. Now this afternoon. all functions on the wipers worked except the Hi speed. last night after i posted and had to move for calender parking, I cleaned the 2" of sticky new snow off, and then tried them and i got about 2' of swing and nothing else. I wouldn't let my daughter drive it today as this was bought for her, and just the hi speed was B.O. and everything strong, and sounded good. I cleaned the battery contacts(they were ugly).
Rick you are so right about that Murphy dude.

[Doctor Jackson]

...when ordering parts i need to know that it is a 1997 vehicle(manufacture). Am i correct?

You'll ask for/order parts for a 1998 Windstar. Date of manufacture doesn't matter here, just the year model designation.

[Gbro]

Originally Posted by Doctor Jackson

You'll ask for/order parts for a 1998 Windstar. Date of manufacture doesn't matter here, just the year model designation.

Maybe that is why the needed bushings didn't come with the struts, The shop ordered by using the 1997 date, as that is what is on the door post sticker.
And i told them 1998 was on the title.